Agenda item

A report that details performance against key indicators during the first quarter 2024/25 (1st April - 30th June 2024)

Sheila Garcia presented to the scrutiny board the Corporate Performance Report 2024/25 for Q1 Corporate Performance Report. The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of corporate performance against agreed service business plan measures for the 2024/25 Q1 period (April – June). The current reporting format has been developed with the intent of bringing more mature performance reporting online once the ongoing Business Insight, Performance and Strategy Programme (BIPS) Programme and Digital Services Foundation (DSF) Project have been completed. Historically, a full CPR has gone to the Governance, Strategy and Resources (GSR) Scrutiny Board; however, now there are four Scrutiny Boards, it is deemed more appropriate that the constituent parts go to the appropriate meeting to enable more in[1]depth analysis and discussion of the CPR.

In relation to data provided in the report, Members and Officers discussed the need for more clearer formatting to make the report easier to read.

In response to questions concerning recruitment freeze, Officers informed Members of the Scrutiny Board that due to the financial position of the council, Childrens Social Care had lost a full team, which had impacted the caseload of social workers. Furthermore, it was noted that the Council are in a GM pledge when it comes to retention, with caseloads being continuously reviewed and managed.

There was a discussion between Officers and Members of the Scrutiny Board that Keeping children in Oldham safe was the priority.  It was however noted by Officers that there had been a problem around recruiting experienced social workers, but this issue was not unique to Oldham and could be seen at a national level.

Members expressed the need to get the balance right between experience and newly qualified social workers.

In response to questions about recruitment on a local level, Members of the Board were informed that, there had been apprenticeships and job application advertised.

In response to questions about social workers contract specifying a minimum term of service at the Council, Members were informed that this would not be legally binding, and instead would try to retain social workers by having an enhanced starting salary.

In terms of targets set out in the report, Members of the Board were informed that this would be determined by national benchmarks.

In response to Members questions regarding consistency in children having the same social worker, with Members being informed that each individual case will vary. Stating that changes in social workers would be impacted by retention and high turnover.

Matt Bulmer (Director for Education) noted that in relation to Ofsted inspections, which potential schools may be inspected next, and what schools at the time of the meeting required improvement. In addition, The Director for Education noted that there had been considerable improvements in the schools, that did require improvements.

In terms of supporting children with special educational needs, it was noted that there was significant capacity coming this year on streaming. With an additional 10 advisory teachers who can offer support, in the hopes that enough preventative measures would stop some parents applying for a healthcare plan.

Members of the scrutiny Board noted that Oldham College had been offering entry funded programme from level 2 and 3 accredited courses, and delivered from age 19 onwards, associated with adult lifelong learning.

RESOLVED: that-

1)    note the progress in implementing the business plan objectives.

2)    celebrate areas of consistent good performance.

3)     note the comments on progress.

4)     consider areas for review (good or poor) that could produce learning for the

organisation.

5)     note the interconnection of these actions with ongoing activities within the Directorate or Portfolio and corporate key projects such as our Cost-of-Living Response and Don’t

Trash Oldham

6)    consider benchmarking reports from open data sources.

7)    review performance in the context of our borough and the demands on our services.