The Committee received a report that provided a summary of the Council’s progress against the strategic performance measures in quarter three (September-December 2016).

This was followed by questions and comments from Members which may be summarised as follows.

The Committee:

·         Noted that there would be regular opportunities to develop the dialogue on the strategic performance measures;

·         Was informed that with regard to sickness and absence plans are being developed to address this issue and there would be opportunities to consider this during the year (e.g.  Looking at the causes of stress and how this can be reduced);

·         Noted regarding the measure of “time to adoption”, the Strategic Measure target, which is measured over a three year rolling average, will not be met. Therefore, the PAST (Permanency & Adoption Support Team) managers are looking to place children with adopters as quickly as possible from the date of the placement order. The Team are also working with adopters to consider the fostering to adopt option now available; 

·         Noted that the Adoption Service carries out monthly monitoring of adoptions data to review progress of all children on a care plan for adoption, and hold regular permanency planning meeting for these children;

·         Indicated that it would wish to have an overview of the development of corporate parenting and the looked after children’s service within Tower Hamlets (e.g. consider the levels of intervention required to address the challenges and situations faced by these children and their families);

·         Noted that “the number of affordable homes provided as wheelchair accessible or adaptable” is forecast to meet its target by year end. Whilst a further three measures, “the number of businesses supported through council activities”, “the number of affordable homes delivered” and “the number of affordable social rented housing completions for family housing” are projected to meet their minimum expectation for the year;

·         Was advised that regarding the measure of “lets to overcrowded families”, overall lets are expected to be at around 1,600 at year end, and the strategic measure is not expected to meet its target. Cabinet has recently decided to reduce the target set for band 3 applicants (adequately housed) from 10% to 5%. Whilst “Housing Options” are being promoted through advice, open days and at events;

·         Was informed that the employment rate in Tower Hamlets is 71.6 percent, and the London average is 73.6 percent, making the gap between Tower Hamlets and the London average 2 percentage points.  However, the Borough employment rate it was noted had increased by 2.8 percentage points since this time last year whilst the overall London average has increased by 1.4 percentage points;

·         Was advised that the final data shows that 62% of Tower Hamlets children achieved the national curriculum standard at Key Stage 2, this being 9% points above the national average of 53%. This achievement it was noted had been supported by the work to improve educational aspiration and attainment (Strategic Activity 1.3c). The Council’s Primary Education and Partnership Team support staff in schools through central training sessions and one to one work with leaders, and the Council has also started work on an action plan to improve white British pupil attainment in schools; and

·         Noted the work currently being undertaken to help mothers especially from disadvantaged groups who are keen to get back into employment. So as to address any shortfall in their household income following the changes in benefits (e.g. using the available funding streams to health navigate pathways to work and to provide support in a way that is more accessible than before).