COUNCIL chiefs have been given glowing reports in their own in-house review.

North Ayrshire Council’s Cabinet heard last week the results of the council’s Directorate Plan Performance Reports from September last year.

Performance review meetings took place in November with NAC Chief Executive Elma Murray and directors were on hand at Cabinet last Tuesday, January 19 to present their reports.

Every department’s performance was self-assessed and provides each section’s take on its overall performance, capacity for improvement, financial performance and progress against each of its ‘priorities’.

All of the ratings for overall performance and capacity for improvement were the same as the year-end performance reports for 2014/15.

Democratic Services rated a ‘very good’ for both and directorate head Andrew Fraser picked out successfully hosting elections and shortlisting in national awards as highlights.

But he conceded improvements could be made in piloting webcasts at some council meetings as well as carrying out a “cost reduction approach” through electronic services for councillors.

Finance & Corporate Support and Place also achieved ‘very good’ ratings.
Laura Friel, director of finance, told the cabinet her department was making good progress in delivering services for customers.

But NAC Leader Willie Gibson was disappointed she didn’t highlight the number of awards the department was nominated for.

Alluding to recent reports slamming the council’s extravagant spending on award applications, Councillor Gibson said: “I’d just like to highlight these things.

“It’s a recognition of the staff, it’s nothing to do with politics.

“To recognise the hard work staff are doing is really important.”

Ms Friel said the department will continue to develop its digital approach, improve benefits and council tax processing times and reduce staff absences.

The completion of new housing in Irvine’s Dickson Drive and settling Afghan and Syrian families were just two achievements pointed out by North Ayrshire Council’s Place director Craig Hatton.

Complaints, however, are still high within the department which includes roads and waste services.

In terms of Education & Youth Employment, director John Butcher gave a lengthy presentation about his department’s performance following a ‘good’ and ‘very good’ rating from the review.

He said a high quality nurturing programme, exceeding literacy and numeracy for S4 pupil as well a record number of positive school leaver destinations were amongst the highlights.

Mr Butcher insisted more work could still be done in early years as well as continuing steps to take additional support needs pupils out of high cost placements.

Karen Yeomans on behalf of Economy and Communites reported a similar rating and heaped praise on the Team North Ayrshire programme and employability hub initiatives.

She also added her happiness with with a “significant reduction” in employment figures.