The Board heard from the Interim Service Manager Strategy, Policy and Performance that this first submission to DCLG contained elements originating in the Secretary of State’s previous directions together with a progress summary for each theme reported. These were appended to the report for members to consider and comment upon.

 The Board considered and discussed the report and noted the following matters:

• Members were concerned at the number of red-rated data reported in the detailed section of the appendix and asked that this should be kept under review.
• The current Mainstream Grants programme would end in 2018 and therefore it would be necessary to formulate a policy approach to the forthcoming 3-year programme.
• The outcomes of the work undertaken by the ‘Clear Up Team’ were noted.
• Tower Hamlets was participating in the Pilot Elections ID Registration scheme. However because of the changes in practice that would be required and the short timescales to the snap general election on 8^th June 2017, representations had been made to DGLG that there was insufficient time to implement the pilot at this time.  However it was anticipated that the process would be embedded in time for the local elections in 2018.
• That progress summary relating to Elections should be ‘yellow’ rated.
• The role of the Board was to expand on the progress made to date and to enquire how the Council would ensure that performance data demonstrates this and can be externally challenged.  Additionally, the role of the LGA, on the Board. was to ensure that this was demonstrated and a culture of continuous improvement and external challenge adopted.

The Board then heard from Officers and noted the following matters:

• Since DCLG would scrutinise RAG ratings, a transparent approach was recommended.
• It would be necessary to demonstrate with evidence that the Council had moved forward and was taking mature decisions post-Commissioners.

The following actions were agreed arising from the discussion of the report:

• Where RAG data was report it was necessary to focus on detail and to report the performance data as the delivery of the plan progresses.
• It was necessary to demonstrate that the Council was able to demonstrate lessons learned therefore learning from Children’s Services Improvement Board (CSIB) should be shared for learning purposes with Adult Services.
• That a paper be brought to the Board on the corporate journey to improvement, focussing on the priorities, how data is measured and how the priorities are interpreted into a culture of improvement.

RESOLVED

1. That the progress reported in the submission to DCLG be noted.
2. That those actions outstanding in the plan be noted.
3. That outstanding actions be added to the Board’s forward plan.
4. That learning from Children’s Services Improvement Board (CSIB) should be shared for learning purposes with Adult Services.
5. That the above actions be taken forward.