Agenda item

The Committee received the report that proposed the revised Children and Young People reporting arrangements for 2016/17, as detailed within the circulated report.

Members were informed of the revised statutory performance indicator reporting arrangements to Welsh Government and the revised selection of indicators for the Committee to decide on eight to be their priority indicators. It was explained that the Welsh Government indicators were statutory reporting obligations. The Social Services and Well-being Act (Wales) 2014 sets out a performance framework, which aims to measure the progress of local authorities and to support to them to continuously improve services. The new set of performance requirements shifts the emphasis from timeliness and quantity of support to a more outcome focussed framework, which was designed to evidence whether service intervention was making a positive difference to the lives of children, young people and families. Members noted these new reporting arrangements.

Officers explained to Members the Children and Young People Services Business Plan set out new priorities for the financial year. To evidence these priorities 12 shortlisted Key Priority Indicators had been short listed for Scrutiny Members to select 8 to be reported on a regular basis. Officers were also suggesting that the indicators were reported on a quarterly rather than monthly basis as it would be less susceptible to monthly variation and would provide a more balanced overview.

Members felt that they were not in a position to decide on the priority indicators as they had not had sight of the business plan for the Service. Officers explained that there had been a delay in the business plan being brought to the Committee for consideration and for approval by Cabinet Board, as further consultation had been required from children and young people and it would be brought to the next meeting. Members requested that the decision on the priority indicators was deferred until that meeting and it was agreed by the Committee. Members noted that this added to the agenda for the next meeting. Officers explained that this could delay the setup of the performance reporting systems and the reporting of future priority indicators that were chosen by the Committee.

Members requested that officers considered the wording of some of the limitations included within the shortlisted priority indicators. It was queried if further information should be included with the reporting of indicators. Officers explained that they would not suggest including additional narrative with performance indicators, however, Members would request additional information as required. It was clarified that this was the approach that was currently taken by Members. Members also requested that the priority indicators included numbers as well as percentages.

Officers highlighted that the key priority indicators included in the report were key indicators for a successful service. It was explained that the Business Plan may not contain the information that Members required as it was an outward facing document and the Priority Indicators were standalone. Members highlighted that they could not decide on their priority indicators without more information on the priorities of the Service going forward.

Following scrutiny, the revised statutory performance indicator reporting arrangements to Welsh Government were noted by the Committee. The selection of Key Priority Indicators for reporting to the Scrutiny Committee was deferred to the next meeting.