Issue - meetings

This report provides an update on performance against the Council’s Business Plan for Quarter 3, 2024/25, and highlights areas of specific interest or concern to review progress with relevant Directors.

The Committee RESOLVED:

1. To note performance against the Business Plan overall, including the theme summary reports and issues raised, and measures to address performance issues to be implemented by relevant services.

2. To note performance against the Effective Development Organisation theme in particular, including issues raised and measures to address performance issues to be implemented by relevant services.

The Committee considered a report (agenda item 10) providing an update on performance against the Council’s Business Plan for Quarter 3, 2024/25, highlighting areas of specific interest or concern to review progress with relevant Directors.

Summary of main points raised/noted in discussion of this item:

1. In response to questions in relation to target BPPM507 (Increase the percentage of agreed management actions implemented within agreed timelines), it was noted that whilst there had been concerns about the Council's capacity to meet this target, this may be impacted by levels of engagement and timeliness of record keeping on the Council’s system for recording and updating actions, Pentana Audit. Further training and support was being offered and senior officers were sponsoring a drive to fully update this system and ensure accuracy of reporting. 

2. In response to questions in relation to target BPPM537 (Ratio of consultation response rate for the most and least deprived 20% of Bristol citizens), it was confirmed that performance was significantly below target.  It was noted that the type of consultation carried out had an impact on the response ratio, and the results from the 2023 consultation on the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (which achieved a high response from the most deprived areas) were no longer included in this rolling 12-month measure.  In discussion, it was emphasised that it would be important to maintain efforts around consultations reaching those living in deprived communities.

3. In relation to target BPPM512 (Reduce the gender pay gap), it was noted that this pay gap had worsened in Quarter 3 (3.29%) compared with Quarter 2 (2.75%). This fluctuation mirrored the 2023/24 Quarter 3 period and the reasons for this were being investigated.  It was noted that more comprehensive detail around the gender pay gap would be included as part of the Equity and Inclusion annual progress report to be submitted to Full Council in July.

The Committee RESOLVED:

1. To note performance against the Business Plan overall, including the theme summary reports and issues raised, and measures to address performance issues to be implemented by relevant services.

2. To note performance against the Effective Development Organisation theme in particular, including issues raised and measures to address performance issues to be implemented by relevant services.