Agenda item

This year-end update report outlines South Kesteven District Councils performance against the Corporate Plan Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the year of 2022/2023. The end of year data represents information up to 31 March 2023.

The Head of Corporate Projects, Policy and Performance presented the report that outlined end of year performance indicators up to 31 March 2023.

Appendix A of the report was a usual template of the KPI ratings, 4 actions were rated green and 2 were rated amber. The new Committee were provided with a general overview of all work carried out towards those indicators throughout the year.

Healthy and strong communities 11 was to improve and invest in locals arts and culture venues. There were approved ongoing capital works within the centers. Roof works had begun on Stamford Arts Centre and works taking place at the Guildhall had been completed.

Healthy and strong communities 13 was a review of the arts services and short- and medium-term action had been completed. This included the agreed restructure of the team, opening hours reviews, information around Lincolnshire One Venues (LOV) working and Leisure SK Ltd.

Healthy and strong communities 4 was the adoption of sport and physical activity strategy, which had been completed.

The new Committee were provided with links to work streams discussed. Appendix one was the relevant end of year KPIs that the Committee were responsible for:

·       Capital Programme for the arts center’s – rated green

·       Arts restructure and Cultural Strategy – rated green

·       Working towards adoption of a tourism strategic framework – rated green

·       Markets – rated amber

One Member requested an update on the works taken place at Stamford Arts Centre and the timeframe of when the center would be open for full use.

The Assistant Director of Culture and Leisure confirmed that Stamford Arts Centre was fully operational at present, and the programme levels were back to pre-pandemic numbers. The only area that was awaiting completion was the introduction of a café at Stamford Arts Centre, the lease was in its final form with the tenant.

A query was raised on whether the Tennis Club in Grantham were administering the tennis courts at Wyndham Park. It was further queried how time slots could be booked and how the resource could be paid for.

It was noted that the Council were awaiting the final details of the lease paperwork being signed and then a launch would take place. There had been a slight delay due to an agreement being sought from Fields in Trust to enter the lease with Grantham Tennis Club.

It was suggested further physical activities be available at Wyndham Park to initiate an outdoor ‘mini leisure center’ in the park, which would encourage communities to become more active.  

The Chairman highlighted that many groups within the District were also community-led rather than Council-led.

One Member queried who moderated, measured and set the action statuses.

A further query was raised on works undertaken on the actions that were significantly below target.

Clarification was sought on the change of the Council’s Corporate Plan and how new KPIs would feed into each Committee.

The Committee were reminded only KPIs 11 and 13 were relevant to this Committee, and the others would be considered by relevant scrutiny Committees and therefore, actions of underperformance would be considered in the reports for those Committees.

The original benchmarking and KPIs were set by the Culture and Visitor Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee when the Council adopted the Corporate Plan. The target ratings and commentary was fully endorsed and reviewed by Members, Directors and Senior Management Team prior to Committee approval.

Regarding the setting of new KPI’s, each Committee would review and be a part of the KPI and performance setting which will commence in April 2024, with the new Corporate Plan being due for adoption in Autumn 2023.  

One Member requested background information, funding information, purpose, target audience and objectives of the Hello SK App. It was felt 1,000 residents seemed a low number of people engaging on the Hello SK App.

The Head of Economic Development informed the Committee that funding for the Hello SK App came from the Welcome Back Fund, which was a Government initiative post-pandemic. The plan was to reach a critical mass of 200 businesses and 1,000 residents. A Member induction to the Hello SK App had been organised. The objective of the App going forward, was to engage more retailers. 

It was proposed, seconded and AGREED that the Committee:

1. Review and scrutinise the performance against the Corporate Plan Key Performance Indicators in relation to the delivery of the Corporate Plan priorities and outcomes.

2. Use this report to inform and support their ongoing work programme