Agenda item

Report of the Head of Strategy, Performance and Communications.

The Head of Strategy, Performance and Communications submitted a report (previously circulated) providing Members with an update on performance against those key performance indicators within the remit of this Scrutiny Committee for the period 2018/19.

It was reported that the indicators were aligned with key priorities and the majority used to monitor the Corporate Plan 2017/21.

Details were provided of the 30 indicators that were reported to this Scrutiny Committee, five Culture indicators and 25 Public Health indicators. The majority of the indicators were reported annually and all Public Health Indicators were reported in line with the Public Health Framework National reporting schedule which means that the data is at least one year in arrears or related to aggregate periods.

At Quarter 4 data was available for five Culture indicators and five Public Health indicators had updated information to report.

Particular reference was made to the indicators CUL 008a – per cent of the adult population physically inactive, CUL 009a – per cent of the population physically active and CUL010a – per cent of the population taking part in sport and physical activity at least twice in the last month, which measured the activity of adult population in Darlington and were based on a Sport England Survey and showed that performance was on a par with the North East. It was also stated that CUL 063 – number of school pupils participating in the sports development programme had shown a significant increase in performance as a result of strong partnership working between the Council and schools; and that the performance indicator CUL 064 – number of individuals participating in the community sports development programme showed a reduction in performance as a result of a reduced funding.

The Public Health Principal advised Members that in relation to PBH020 – excess weight among primary school age children in Reception Year and PBH021 – excess weigh among primary school age children in Year 6 had both seen an improvement in performance and that Darlington was statistically similar to the national average.

Reference was made to the indicators relating to hospital admissions for unintentional and deliberate injuries to children and Members questioned the methodology to capture non accidental injuries. Members were assured that non accidental injuries were captured, that the figure was very low and that this was reported to and monitored by Children’s Services.

Discussion ensued on the figures for smoking in Darlington, which has seen the biggest proportional reduction in smokers but that the figure for Darlington was still higher than the national average and that the number of adults identified as smoking in the antenatal period had seen a reduction; and the use of e-cigarettes as a replacement to cigarettes.

The Public Health Principal advised Members of the smoking cessation services and initiatives available and the Healthwatch representative confirmed that a survey had been undertaken by Youthwatch Darlington in respect of the support available to young people in Darlington to stop smoking.  Reference was also made to the substance misuse service available to residents in Darlington and the representative from Healthwatch confirmed that the Healthwatch report on substance misuse and mental health would be circulated to Members for information.

Members questioned the methodology used to measure admissions for alcohol and whether there was another indicator that was specific to alcohol related attendances at Accident and Emergency.

RESOLVED – (a) That the submitted report be noted.

(b) That an update be provided in respect of an additional indicator specific to alcohol related attendances at Accident and Emergency.