Agenda item

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The Senior Corporate Governance Officer presented the proposed performance indicators and targets for 2026-2027.

The Chair, Councillor Blunt questioned the process of target setting and asked why some targets were set lower than the previous year. She explained that targets were set based on the previous year's data, resource considerations, and consultation with the corporate leadership team and portfolio holders.

In response to the Chair, the Assistant Director for Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer explained some targets were set lower than previous achievements due to external factors, such as government policy changes affecting council tax and business rates.

Panel members debated the value of 'monitor only' KPIs, particularly for issues like fly tipping and homelessness. Councillor Long suggested that setting explicit targets, rather than just monitoring, would better highlight trends and trigger policy responses, while the Senior Corporate Governance Officer noted that some indicators were difficult to control directly but still provided valuable trend data.

In response to Councillor Bearshaw on including a KPI on Children’s Care Homes and provisions for activities/open spaces to be added in the Local Plan. The Assistant Director for Environment and Planning explained this was too specific to be added as a KPI however highlighted the Local Housing Need Assessment that was being undertaken, and it was agreed that the issue could be discussed in this context at the Local Plan Task Group.

Under Standing Order 34a, Councillor Ryves commented on KPI 5 to be added - % of Invoices with a valid PO raised in advance of invoice date and questioned if a 100% target was realistic. In addition, he questioned how KPI 6 and 7: Deliver an increase of 3.5% (£250k), in social value from the leisure and community activity service and % of residents achieving a measurable health improvement through physical activities and cultural interventions were to be measured. The interim Assistant Director for Leisure and Culture explained the  methodologies, such as the use of DCMS-approved algorithms and participant-led well-being scores.

Portfolio Holder, Councillor Morley commented on KPI 7 be added and suggested waiting to see the objectives for the Marmot Programme. He added KPI 8-10 were useful information for Members. In response to Councillor Ryves, he added an analysis identified where purchase orders had not been raised and purchasing options.

The Panel agreed to request that related KPI’s 8, 9, 10, 11be fully monitored with targets, rather than as 'monitor only', and to review the impact of these changes in future reports. The Panel also supported the inclusion of previous data and trigger points for key indicators to better inform policy and resource allocation.

RESOLVED: The Panel reviewed and noted the Council’s proposed key performance indicators and targets for 2026-2027. Performance against these indicators will be reported quarterly through the Performance Management Report.

The Panel agreed that related KPI’s 8, 9, 10, 11be fully monitored with targets, rather than as 'monitor only', and to review the impact of these changes in future reports