Progress Against Priorities and Targets (Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats)

Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats <info@oxfordshirelibdems.org.uk>

Progress Against Priorities and Targets

March 17, 2009 3:40 PM
By Cllr Zoe Patrick in Cabinet

I am pleased to note that you think the level of performance is improving.

However, it is the usual prime suspects showing up in red (unmet) again.

I have to mention educational achievement here because this comes up every time, and we know this has to be addressed given that the Council has yet again, for two years in a row, only received a two star rating for its Children's Services in the recent CPA rating of 3 star overall. We know that the reason for this is the poor educational achievement of our youngsters. I understand from officers that future measures will include looking at SATS results.

The under 18 conception rate sadly seems to be on the increase in Oxfordshire. It would be good if we could look at some other authorities where they have been doing some innovative work to get the rates down. I have some information here on reducing teenage pregnancy in neighbouring Gloucestershire which is the best performing authority in the South West of England. I am sure more could be done here.

I draw your attention to the red (unmet) target on delivering our transport capital programme projects. It appears that there is a major review of the project, programme and cost data. It states here that the suitability of the system to manage multi million projects needs to be re-evaluated. It would be helpful to have some more information on this, as the council has been criticised in the past for its poor project management, so would not wish this to continue here.

Finally, two on amber (partially met) to note. One is for 16-18 year olds not in education, employment or training. I suspect the economic downturn is the main cause here, but this gives even more reason to try and address this urgently.

I note also that the Carbon Footprint Action Plan is not on target to reach 18% by 2012. I look forward to hearing how this will be addressed in the future.