Carl Gurnell, Team Leader – Performance and Scrutiny, introduced a report which provided the 2018/19 Quarter 1 (April - June 2018) performance report for Wirral Plan pledges under the Business theme. The Quarter 1 report was included as Appendix 1 to the report, and provided a description of the progress in Quarter 4, including available data in relation to a range of outcome indicators and supporting measures.

Responding to comments from Members, Carl Gurnell stated that the data collected to measure visitor numbers was through a nationally recognised model with a lot of Wirral intelligence coming via nationally published statistics. A copy of the survey used to gather these statistics could be provided for the Committee, including the surveys undertaken on cycling.

A Member suggested that the Council’s Culture Team could provide an update on culture, tourism and heritage with a more Wirral focussed slant and information on income generation.

A Member queried the indicator on the creation of jobs provided by the Wirral Chamber of Commerce and the statement that a number of firms were expecting phased growth / recruitment in the next two quarters, having recalled that this was something promised some time ago and the need for the Committee to be mindful of this.

Carl Gurnell responded by explaining that when job creation figures previously lagged behind target, the job targets were still met and in fact Wirral Chamber had always met their job creation targets previously. It was often the case that there was a lag in job creation due to the requirement to collect all necessary documentation to evidence the figures and as a funding requirement for the interventions taking place. 

A Member expressed delight at the reduction in the indicator for those seriously injured or killed in road traffic accidents down to 6 in this first quarter compared to 25 in Q1, 2017/18.

Resolved – That the report be noted and further information be provided to a future meeting as requested.