Appendix B: Slough Borough Council Corporate Balanced Scorecard : September The corporate balanced scorecard presents the current outturn for a selection of high priority quantitative performance indicators, under the following headings: Customer focus, People (relating to workforce development and well being), and the 5 themes of "Economy and Skills", "Health and Wellbeing", "Housing", "Regeneration and the Environment" and "Safer Communities". Performance against is recorded as red (more than 5% off ), amber (between 0% and 5% off ), or green (on or better). Its purpose is twofold: firstly, to provide members with a balanced view of how the organisation is performing in these four respects. Secondly, to provide a small number of high priority quantitative performance indicators which act as a litmus test of organisational health, rather than presenting detailed outturn data for all performance indicators monitored across the council. n/a = not applicable, because this is a volume indicator only, the value of which SBC cannot seek to directly influence or because the issue is complex. Direction of travel indicates whether performance has improved ( ), deteriorated ( ) or remained unchanged ( ) compared to previous performance. Performance Indicator Number of unique visitors to SBC website Sep 12 63,013 Customer Focus n/a 42,500 [Sep 12] n/a n/a This is being monitored as a volume indicator following the recent redesign of the council website. The redesign improved accessibility of information and we believe the drop in web users represents people finding what they want first time and not requiring repeated attempts. Number of online financial payments made Sep 12 1,462 increasing 2,658 [Sep 12] Green Monthly number of online payments continues to increase, representing effective cost savings for transactions.
Number of Freedom of Information requests made (total across whole council) Sep 12 75.6 [average per month 2011 12] Customer Focus n/a 46 [Sep 12] 78.2 average year to date n/a n/a This is a volume indicator, monitored on the basis of ensuring appropriate resource to respond, and to inform public information releases. Although September saw only 46 requests, the average monthly number for the year to date has increased to 78.2 requests. Number of stage 1 complaints made (across the council, including Avarto) Sep 12 638 [2011 12] reducing 448 [year to Sept 12] Green Although we are not confident of total reporting by Avarto, this reduction still represents a significant improvement arising from investment in the analysis of complaints and improved complaint handling. These efforts are continuing. Performance Indicator Number of staff in establishment (headcount) Sep 12 1,521 [Q4 2011 12] People reduce 1,424 [Q2 ] Green Data available on a quarterly basis. Total number of employees is reducing as we streamline operations. Number of staff in establishment (FTE 'full time equivalent') Sep 12 1,286.9 [Q4 2011 12] reduce 1,157.6 [Q2 ] Green Data available on a quarterly basis. Total number of FTE equivalent mployees is reducing.
Number of temporary workers (Pertemps data only) Oct 12 123 [Jan 12] to be confirmed People 137 [Oct 12] Temporary staff can represent excellent value for money for the council when engaged to conduct short lived project work or to provide interim cover on a short term basis. At the same time it is essential that agency costs are held as low as possible. SBC seeks to maintain an appropriate balance between permanent staff, and short or fixed term appointments to ensure salary costs represent maximum value for money for residents. Data on all temporary staff is currently being collated and verified, prior to the new agency contract commencing. Comprehensively accurate figures will be available in the next period. Staff turnover (resignations only) Sep 12 5.5% [year to Mar 12] 10 15% 7.4% [year to Sep 12] Amber Data is provided as a 'rolling year' position but at a quarterly frequency. Current economic conditions are resulting in low turnover; we are therefore implementing training and development opportunities to ensure staff groups remain innovative and well motivated. Average staff sickness rate (days lost per FTE) Sep 12 11.6 days [year to Mar 12] 8.5 days by Sept 2013. 6.5 days by Sept 2014. 10.8 days [year to Sep 12] Green Data is provided as a 'rolling year' position but at a quarterly frequency. A reduction in sickness absence rate is being secured. Employee Wellbeing campaign implemented with aim of improving staff health and reducing sickness absenteeism.
Number of Slough primary schools in special measures or with notice to improve Sep 12 2 [Mar 12] Economy and Skills 0 3 Amber One additional school fallen into this category since baseline. Work is underway between the council and school leadership teams to address concerns raised and implement improvement activity. % of pupils achieving at least 78 points across the Early Years Foundation Stage (with at least 6 in each of the scales in Personal, Social and Emotional Development and Communication, Language and Literacy) Aug 12 62.0% [2010 11] increase 63.5% [provisional 2011 12] Green Provisional data relating to achievement in the 2011 12 academic year. National comparisons of finally validated performance expected in November. % of pupils achieving level 4 or above in both English and Maths at Key Stage 2 Aug 12 73% [2010 11] increase 73.7% [provisional 2011 12] Green Provisional data relating to achievement in the 2011 12 academic year. National comparisons of finally validated performance expected in November. % of pupils achieving 5 or more GCSEs at A* C (including English and Maths) Sep 12 68.1% [2010 11] increase 65.1% [provisional 2011 12] Amber Provisional data relating to achievement in the 2011 12 academic year. National results are due to be released in November, and performance across the board is anticipated to have fallen due to the effect of national grading changes.
Unemployment: Overall unemployment rate: proportion of resident population of area aged 16 64 claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) Sep 12 3.9% [Mar 12] Economy and Skills maintain at 3.8% low level [Sep 12] compared to national value Green The council and partners are seeking to increase employment opportunities and improve skills to secure a reduction in overall unemployment. National: 3.8% South East: 2.5% Unemployment: Proportion of unemployed 18 24 year olds who have been unemployed for more than 6 months. Sep 12 27% [Mar 12] decrease 27% [Aug 12] Amber The council is seeking to engage with young unemployed residents to increase their employment opportunities and secure a reduction in long term unemployment. Unemployment: Proportion of the economically inactive working age population who state they want a job. [Measure derives from ONS Annual Population Survey, and is quarterly.] National: 24.1% South East: 26.1% Sep 12 22.8% [year to Mar 11] increase 23.9% [year to Jun 12] Green Slough position has reduced since previous report (when it was 24.4%, above national: 23.9%) but remains higher than baseline.
Health and Wellbeing N.B. The current Health and Wellbeing indicators represent a holding position and are included only whilst the SBC Health Strategy is being developed. Once valid and viable performance indicators are available, these context measures will be reported on an annual basis. Performance Indicator Prevalence of modelled adult obesity as measured by the Health Survey for England Prevalence of childhood obesity at start of primary school (Reception) as measured by the NCMP Aug 12 23.7% [2006 2008] Aug 12 10.8% [2009 10] reducing, under 24.2% [England reduce l closer ] to national rate 11.0% [2010 11] Direction of travel RAG rating Green N.B. only one data set has been released to date by national Government. Amber Measured annually. Slough has a higher rate of childhood obesity than national average (9.4%). Prevalence of childhood obesity at end of primary school (Year 6) as measured by the NCMP Aug 12 21.4% [2009 10] reduce closer to national rate 21.2% [2010 11] Green Measured annually. Slough has a higher rate of childhood obesity than national average (19.0%) but early signs are of a local reduction.
Number of Housing Benefit Claimants (source: DWP) Number of Council Tax Benefit Claimants (source: DWP) Speed of Processing of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit claims: (a) New Claims (b) Change of Circumstances Aug 12 11,590 [Mar 12] Aug 12 11,710 [Mar 12] Sep 12 (a) 19 days (b) 8 days [2011 12 year] Housing n/a 11,640 [May 12] n/a 11,640 [May 12] Provisional s (a) 20 days (b) 10 days (a) 33.8 days (b) 19.7 days [Sept 12] Direction of travel RAG rating n/a n/a This is a volume indicator, monitored on the basis of ensuring appropriate resource to respond to public need. This is a volume indicator, monitored on the basis of ensuring appropriate resource to respond to public need. Red The current year is being used to baseline performance and establish firm contract s. At present the provisional s of 20 and 10 days are not being met. Performance is being scrutinised and held to account through Contract management. England 2011 12 : (a) 24 (b) 9 Number of households in temporary accommodation Sep 12 90 [Mar 12] 85 or less 85 [Sept 12] Green Effective housing support is resulting in fewer households requiring temporary accommodation support.
Improve bus punctuality: Nonfrequent bus services running on time (formerly NI 178a) Slough CO2 emissions reduced by 20% by 2028 through annual monitoring The percentage of household waste sent for reuse, recycling or composting. Aug 12 77.5% [2009/10] [in development] Sep 12 30.7% [2011 12 year] Regeneration and the Environment increasing 83.0% Green Data is collated and reported annually by [2010/11] Department for Transport. >30.7% 30.5% [year to Jun 12] Amber Minor fluctuation from accounted for by seasonal differences in summer (dry 2011 vs wet 2012) producing different amounts of garden waste. Data is available on a quarterly basis only, subject to stringent validations by Defra and Eurostat. Percentage of municipal waste sent to landfill. Sep 12 6.4% [2011 12 year] <6.4% 6.5% [year to Jun 12] Amber Minor fluctuation from, due to the Energy from Waste plant being unavailable in April 2012; this was due to an unexpected incident which caused closure on one of the intake lines for several days, and resulted in greater than anticipated use of landfill disposal. Data is available on a quarterly basis only, subject to stringent validations by Defra and Eurostat.
% of Initial Assessments completed and authorised within 10 working days (in month) Sep 12 60.1% [2011 12 year] Safer Communities above 75% 47.7% [one month] RED Performance in the month of September was out of step with other months, where performance has been consistently above for many months. This latest position has been reviewed by Children & Families Management, a diagnosis of causes has been established and remedial actions are being implemented. % of Core Assessments completed and authorised within 35 working days (in month) Sep 12 56.6% [2011 12year ] above 80% 93.5% [one month] Green N.B. Target set is higher than last known national average (75% in 2010 11) and will be reviewed when later data is published. Children looked after by the council at month end (excluding respite care arrangements) (a) Number (b) rate per 10,000 local children. Sep 12 172 54.3 under development 180 48.1 [Sep 12] n/a n/a The Council is legally obliged to accommodate children when this is necessary to ensure their safety. This month saw an overall increase of 8 children. Targets are currently being considered to balance between financial pressures and an appropriate comparative rate to ensure adequate provision. Children subject to Child Protection Plans at month end (a) Number (b) rate per 10,000 local children. Sep 12 209 55.9 rate within +/ 15% of last England average 156 41.7 [Sep 12] Green The number of children subject to a child protection plan continues to decrease. At current knowledge of comparison values, a range of between 134 to 181 children represents appropriate safeguarding practice.
% of children looked after adopted from care or granted a special guardianship order (in year to date) Sep 12 27.6% above 8% 19.5% [yr to Aug 12] Green Current performance represents 25 children who have secured permanent family homes due to adoption or special guardianship arrangements. Whilst latest value is a reduction on the baseline value, this follows a period of significant success; we are now returning to a sustainable rate.
Number (and %) of Adult Safeguarding Alerts that led to a strategy meeting per month Our 'tolerance' of 30 40% has been set as a guide for ensuring we receive all appropriate safeguarding concerns for consideration without casting our net either too widely or too narrowly. RED = exceed for 2 consecutive months. Number (and %) of Adult Safeguarding strategy meetings taking place within 5 working days of referral per month Sep 12 12 (32%) Sep 12 5 (56%) Safer Communities low number 18 30 40% (51%) above 80% 15 (73%) [Sep 12] Amber This month saw a higher than average proportion of Safeguarding alerts which required a strategy meeting to be convened. In the period to date, this value remains on (at 35%). The September performance is cause for investigation to ensure it does not prove part of a longer term trend. Red Performance has improved significantly from 43% in August to 73% in September. This is still short of but performance is clearly moving in the correct direction. Remedial activities underway include the reissue of existing guidance, compliance auditing and a diagnostic of individual cases where this timescale has not been reached. Further action will be planned and grounded in the evidence obtained through this deeper diagnostic exercise. Crime rates per 1,000 population: All crime (cumulative from April) Crime rates per 1,000 population: Violence against the person (cumulative from April) Sep 12 110.49 [2011/12] Sep 12 22.60 [2011/12] reducing 95.36 [year to Sep 12] reducing 17.54 [year to Sep 12] Green Green A significant decrease in crime rates has been secured, which represents a real decrease in crime levels. The year to Sept 12 when compared to the same period one year previously saw 1,842 fewer offences (all crime: a 12% decrease), 116 fewer offences (violence against the person: 4% decrease) and 600
Crime rates per 1,000 population: Serious acquisitive crime (cumulative from April) Sep 12 25.70 [2011/12] reducing 21.96 [year to Sep 12] Green fewer offences (serious acquisitive crime: 16% decrease).