The Strategic Director of Transformation and Resources presented a report which outlined the current performance of the Department (as at 31 January 2014) against its Directorate Plan for 2013/14 in a Performance Dashboard. It translated the priorities set out in the Plan into a coherent set of performance outcome measures and targets.

The report also included appendices with exception reports on those five items which had been ‘red’ rated for non-compliance against the specified target. The five measures rated red were:

·  Percentage of adult care packages supported by Direct Debit

·  Percentage recovery of personal finance unit charges

·  Percentage recovery of personal finance unit charges (historic charges)

·  Percentage of personal finance unit assessments completed within timescale

·  Replacement of Windows XP and Windows 7

Responding to comments from Members the Head of Business Processes explained the use of direct debit, which, if it were to offer a discount would disadvantage those who were unable to pay by direct debit for care packages. He acknowledged that the percentage return on the collection of current debts would always be higher with historic debts being much harder to collect and some targets were therefore overly optimistic.

He went on to outline the work of the Council’s bailiffs, who were based on Wirral and that they had to abide by a policy and guidelines set locally and nationally. Complaints were closely monitored and it was intended to bring the policy back for revision if necessary during the next municipal year when the current bailiff’s contract was due to end.

The Strategic Director also responded to comments regarding the Future Council work and stated that indicators rolling into the Future Council programme would not be pushed into the background.

The Strategic IT Advisor gave an update on indicator DP 13 and the replacement of Windows XP with Windows 7. Although Microsoft had ceased supporting XP on 8 April, 2014 a further year’s support was now in place following a Government intervention to provide this for organisations. Plans were now well developed with 450 computers arriving this week. An external company would be engaged to roll out the new equipment.

Responding to questions from Members the Strategic IT Advisor made a number of comments which included:

·  The exact number of PCs to be rolled out had not yet been determined as one part of the Future Council agenda was to determine the shape and size of the Council.

·  The budget which had previously been set aside for the IT upgrade was £2.5m with approximately 90 per cent of PCs to be replaced.

·  A pilot replacement would be undertaken across five different Council areas at the end of June and following an assessment of this it was intended to roll out approximately up to 400 a week.

·  It had been decided to replace with Windows 7 rather than Windows 8 as a lot of the Council’s mainstream systems were not compatible with Windows 8.

·  An indication of the numbers of PCs required had been given to the supplier although they would be bought in phases through a framework agreement.

The Strategic Director also elaborated on some of the responses and stated that Policy and Performance Committees would start considering the Future Council programme in July at which point the Head of ICT would have more answers on the IT upgrade. Existing revenue resources and also a capital budget had previously been set aside. The investment in IT would take cognisance of all the work on shared services and the authority was still readily engaged with Cheshire West and Chester and Cheshire East Councils.

Resolved - That the Performance Dashboard be noted and the information contained within it be used to inform the Committee’s future work programme.