This is the key performance data for quarter 1, 2026 to 2027.
The result is measured against a target.
It is usually related directly to a council service and an indicator of service effectiveness, efficiency or success.
The result is measured against a forecast.
It is usually outcome focussed and often not fully in the council’s control.
Contextual indicators are included as they may impact service delivery, demand and the achievement of wider council goals.
Engaged and healthy communities
Performance quarterly indicators
Performance quarterly indicators
| Indicator | Description | Directorate | Last period | This period | Target | RAG status | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1.3.KR | Percentage of children with EHCP (5 to 16 years) with school placement in borough | People | 74.3% | 73.3% | 76% | Green | Worse |
| 1.1.3.PI | Number of visits to the Look Out Discovery Centre - YTD | Place | 87,153 | 19,648 | 20,000 | Green | N/A |
| 1.1.4.KR | Percentage of children with EHCP issued within a 20-week statutory timeframe - year to date | People | 100% | 91.9% | 80% | Green | N/A |
| 1.1.4.PI | Percentage of EHCP annual reviews completed within statutory timeframes - year to date | People | 74.6% | 81.7% | 70% | Green | N/A |
| 1.1.6.KR | Number of young people involved in universal youth service activities | People | 249 | 341 | 283 | Green | Better |
| 1.2.1.KR | Percentage of care leavers (19-21yrs) Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) | People | 36.9% | 22.2% | 30% | Green | Better |
| 1.3.2.KR | Percentage of long-term support recipients at home (not in residential or nursing care) | People | 71.8% | 70.1% | 68% | Green | Worse |
| 1.3.3.KR | Percentage of in-borough adult care placements (residential or nursing) in good or outstanding settings | Communities | 73.5% | 68.2% | 74% | Green | Worse |
| 1.4.01.KR | Number of visitors to monitored open spaces - YTD | Place | 343,312 | 85,514 | 749,909 | Green | N/A |
| 1.4.01.PI | Total visits to leisure facilities managed by Everyone Active | Communities | 367,054 | 401,587 | 391,277 | Green | Better |
| 1.4.02.KR | Rate of smokers (per 100k) who have quit within 4 weeks of setting quit date - year to date | Place | 2,824 | 4,547 | 4,000 | Green | Better |
| 1.4.02.PI | Children and young people visits to Everyone Active leisure facilities | Communities | 112,940 | 136,275 | 105,207 | Green | Better |
| 1.4.03.PI | Older people visits to Everyone Active leisure facilities | Communities | 52,072 | 35,773 | 24,020 | Green | Worse |
| 1.4.04.PI | Visits by customers with a disability to Everyone Active leisure facilities | Communities | 6,678 | 13,155 | 3,714 | Green | Better |
| 1.4.05.PI | Active communities or health and wellbeing visits to Everyone Active leisure facilities | Communities | 8,768 | 7,063 | 3,858 | Green | Worse |
| 1.4.06.PI | Number of young participants in Bikeability cycle training | Place | 438 | 502 | 400 | Green | Better |
| 1.4.07.PI | Percentage of invited population who received a health check (uptake) | Place | 38% | 58% | 75% | Red | Better |
| 1.4.08.PI | Percentage of babies received a 6-8 week review by the time they were 8 weeks | Place | 94.2% | 94.9% | 95% | Green | Better |
| 1.4.09.PI | Percentage of children who received a 2-2½ -year review | Place | 93.6% | 94.7% | 95% | Green | Better |
| 1.4.10.PI | Number of smokers from priority populations who have quit within four weeks of setting a quit date | Place | New for 2026 to 2027 | 146 | 75 | Green | N/A |
| 1.5.1.KR | Visits to Bracknell Forest Libraries (excl. home library) - year to date | Communities | 413,770 | 89,517 | 81,250 | Green | N/A |
| 1.5.2.KR | Number of people using the community asset map web pages - total to date | Place | 12,678 | 13,144 | 12,500 | Green | Better |
| 1.6.1.PI | Number of schemes delivered to support Safer Routes to School programme - YTD | Place | 3 | 0 | 0 | Green | N/A |
| 1.6.2.KR | Number of people rough sleeping | People | 6.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | Green | Better |
| 1.6.2.PI | Percentage of Homelessness Preventions | People | 66% | 75% | 58% | Green | Better |
| 1.6.4.KR | Number of households in Temporary Accommodation | People | 159 | 153 | 164 | Green | Better |
Latest data available is for quarter 4. The result here is reported against the fourth quarter target.
Latest available data is for quarter 4 2025 to 2026. It shows that NHS Health Check uptake increased to 58% at quarter 4 from 38% at quarter 3. While short of the aspirational 2025 to 2026 annual target of 75% health checks taken up, the uptake shows a significant improvement. The number of completed Health Checks throughout the year decreased slightly compared with the previous year (3,231 checks completed in 2025 to 2026 versus 3,490 checks completed in 2024 to 2025), while the uptake among those invited improved to 37% (from 35%).
The introduction of a new data management system has strengthened reporting, quality assurance and validation of activity against national and local requirements. Reporting dashboards and performance metrics have been developed to support monitoring, quality assurance and GP payment processes. Introduction of this process has enabled commissioners to make sure that only activity that meets quality standards as national and local requirements is reported within the NHS Health Check figures.
The update for action COM.4.07 describes additional activity delivered in the period to support the uptake of health checks.
Quarterly Contextual Indicator
Quarterly Contextual Indicator
| Indicator | Description | Directorate | Last quarter | This quarter | Forecast | RAG status | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2.1.CI | Number of children assessed level 2 or 3 on the exploitation tool - year to date | People | 39 | 6 | 8 | Green | Not applicable: Plan is best |
| 1.2.2.KR | Child Protection Plan (CPP) rate per 10,000 | People | 69.8 | 71.5 | 65 | Green | Not applicable: Plan is best |
| 1.2.3.KR | Percentage of early help caseload stepped up to statutory social care following assessment | People | 8% | 12% | 16% | Green | Worse |
| 1.4.4.KR | Clients continuing to live independently without primary or secondary mental health care (%) | People | 91% | 68% | 60% | Green | Worse |
| 1.5.3.KR | Groups using council owned community centres (average per centre) | Communities | 22 | 22 | 22 | Green | No change |
| 1.5.4.KR | Volunteers registered with Involve for volunteering pool | Communities | 595 | 595 | 520 | Green | No change |
| 1.6.1.CI | Completions of new homes in line with housing trajectory - YTD | Place | 546 | 87 | 148 | Red | N/A |
| 1.6.1.KR | Additional affordable homes completed (affordable rented and shared ownership) | People | 74 | 26 | 25 | Green | Worse |
| 1.6.3.CI | Affordable housing units (gross) granted planning permission on qualifying sites (percentage) | Place | 0% | 0% | 35% | Red | No change |
| 1.6.3.KR | Total recorded crime excl. fraud (crime rate per 1k for headline offences) - year to date | People | 53.6 | 53.0 | 60 | Green | N/A |
There were 87 (net) completions during quarter 1. Of these:
- 78 were on large sites
- 9 were on medium sites
Small sites are not included in the result until quarter 4 when the annual review of all small site completions is undertaken.
This is below the predicted figure that should have been achieved by this point in the monitoring year according to the Housing Trajectory at March 2023 in the adopted Bracknell Forest Local Plan. The number under construction has also fallen slightly to 922, although this does still exceed the annual forecast of 617.
As it is very early in the monitoring year, it is difficult to predict what might happen as the year progresses. There are many flatted schemes where blocks are started, and will therefore be completed, at the same time. This results in a 'lumpy' supply of units.
This indicator is a contextual indicator, due to the factors outside of the council's control.
None of the sites granted planning permission during quarter 1 were qualifying sites for affordable housing under Policy LP 16 of the Bracknell Forest Local Plan.
The 2026 to 2027 forecast of 35% relates to the development plan requirement under Bracknell Forest Local Plan (2024) Policy LP 16. It applies to new homes on sites of 10 dwellings or more (gross) or which have an area of 0.5 hectares or more. It also applies to specialist housing for older people where the site is delivering a gain of 10 or more (gross) self-contained units (C3 and C2).
The 35% can only be applied to permissions granted since the adoption of the Bracknell Forest Local Plan in March 2024.
27 (gross) dwellings were granted permission on qualifying sites during quarter 1. However, 24 of these were through the prior approval process where no affordable housing can be required due to permitted development rights.
Thriving and connected economy
Performance quarterly indicators
Performance quarterly indicators
| Indicator | Description | Directorate | Last period | This period | Target | RAG status | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3.1.KR | Percentage of neighbourhood centres passing street cleansing checks to contract standard | Communities | 94% | 100% | 90% | Green | Better |
Contextual quarterly indicators
Contextual quarterly indicators
| Indicator | Description | Directorate | Last period | This period | Forecast | RAG status | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1.1.KR | Unemployment rate of the working age, economically active population | Place | 3.0 | 3.2 | 3.0 | Green | Worse |
| 2.1.2.KR | Apprenticeship starts since start of academic year - year to date | Place | 810 | 510 | 575 | Amber | N/A |
| 2.2.1.KR | Net additional dwellings within Bracknell Town Parish - year to date | Resources | 135 | 53 | 71 | Red | N/A |
| 2.2.3.a KR | Percentage of vacant retail units in Bracknell Town centre | Place | New for 2026 to 2027 | 8% | 8% | Green | N/A |
| 2.3.1.CI | Number of streetworks permit applications received | Place | 1,634 | 1,279 | 1,500 | Green | Not applicable: Plan is best |
| 2.3.2.KR | Percentage of occupied units on neighbourhood parades owned by the council | Place | 98% | 98% | 98% | Green | No change |
| 2.4.3.KR | Percentage of occupied light industrial units owned by the council | Place | 91% | 91% | 95% | Green | No change |
During the quarter, 53 new properties banded for Council Tax purposes in Bracknell Town Council against a year to date forecast of 71. While the result is below forecast, is it higher than the same time last year (24).
The full year forecast for 2026 to 2027 is 284. Despite a slower than expected start to the year, it is expected that this will be reached.
Properties currently being developed in the town parish are expected to be banded either this year or later.
This is indicator is a contextual indicator as the addition of dwellings in the town parish are outside of the council’s control.
This is being reported during 2026 to 2027 to replace the original indicator 2.2.3.KR Footfall within Bracknell town centre as footfall data was not available during 202025 to 2026.
The new contextual indicator monitors the health of Bracknell town centre through retail occupancy rates, providing an alternative measure of town centre vitality.
This supports the Council Plan goal that ‘Bracknell town centre continues to thrive and be a destination of choice’.
Green and sustainable environment
Performance quarterly indicators
Performance quarterly indicators
| Indicator | Description | Directorate | Last period | This period | Target | RAG status | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1.5.KR | Number of trees being supported during the quarter to independence | Place | 10,857 | 6,432 | 9,405 | Red | Worse |
| 3.1.6.PI | Total number of net zero invest to save projects identified to take to feasibility stage in 2026 to 2027 – year to date | Place | New for 2026 to 2027 | 1 | 0 | Green | N/A |
| 3.2.2.KR | Number of hours volunteering with parks and countryside activities - year to date | Place | 9,605 | 1,950 | 1,500 | Green | N/A |
| 3.3.3.KR | Green travel miles recorded through the eco-rewards scheme | Place | 33,301 | 60,284 | 25,000 | Green | Better |
A number of trees were assessed as independent in the landscape in the quarter, so are removed from maintenance at this point in the year.
During the winter tree planting seasons of quarter 3 and quarter 4, the number of trees should increase to the target level. However, this will in part depend on the extent of the heat damage over the summer, which could potentially require a large number of existing trees to be replanted due to unavoidable heat related failure.
Contextual quarterly indicators
Contextual quarterly indicators
| Indicator | Description | Directorate | Last period | This period | Forecast | RAG status | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1.1.CI | Renewable energy generated through council estate, including maintained schools (Kw) | Place | 946Kw | 957Kw | 950Kw | Green | Better |
| 3.1.1.KR | Recycling contamination rate - percentage of blue bin collection that is incorrect | Communities | 18.7% | 19% | 16% | Red | Worse |
| 3.1.2.KR | Percentage of homes that have a SAP rating of Band C or above (including Park Homes) | Communities | 55.1% | 58.1% | 59% | Green | Better |
| 3.1.3.KR | Number of publicly available charge points per 100,000 population | Place | 98.6 | 89 | 99 | Amber | Worse |
| 3.2.1.KR | Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace and other Open Space of Public Value secured - year to date | Place | 24.5 Ha | 0.3 Ha | 0.4 Ha | Green | N/A |
| 3.2.3.a KR | Total green infrastructure and area habitat units secured across new developments - year to date | Place | New for 2026 to 2027 | 24.6 | 12.5 | Green | N/A |
| 3.3.1.KR | Number of journeys across Thames Valley Buses (TVB) supported network | Place | 108,977 | 108,902 | 96,250 | Green | Worse |
| 3.3.2.KR | Community Infrastructure Levy Income - year to date | Place | £5,548,105 | £1,672,624 | £790,600 | Green | N/A |
This result is for quarter 4 2025 to 2026. This indicator is reported a quarter behind due to data release timing from contractors. Despite the ongoing work in this area, the overall contamination level continues to be high. Both January and February had high contamination levels at more than 20%. By contrast March was lower, at 12%.
In January 2026, 14 recycling samples were taken, 3 of which had more than 30% contamination. In February there were 9 samples taken, and 1 sample was extremely high at more than 40% contamination.
It is important to note that this indicator is calculated by weight - a contaminant may be small in size but more significant in weight. The collection operatives continue to be vigilant and look for contamination before emptying the recycling bins, however they can only see what is visible near the top of the bin. If contaminants are visibly present, then the bin is not emptied and an advisory notice is left on the bin.
Communications are ongoing encouraging residents to put the correct items in the correct bin. The message will be reinforced over the summer with social media posts linking in with the World Cup and seasonal messaging.
Despite the contamination level in the blue bins overall the waste service continues to perform strongly. The 2025 to 2026 year recycling rate is 54.1% and landfill just 8.8%. These figures are more refined than the estimates provided in the quarter 4 reporting, however they are still subject to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) verification.
Ambitious, resilient and sustainable organisation
Performance quarterly indicators
Performance quarterly indicators
| Indicator | Description | Directorate | Last period | This period | Target | RAG status | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1.01.PI | Percentage complaints investigated and upheld by Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman - year to date | Communities | 63% | 100% | 60% | Red | N/A |
| 4.1.02.PI | Percentage of Subject Access Requests processed within statutory timeframes | Communities | 87% | 87% | 85% | Green | No change |
| 4.1.03.PI | Percentage of Freedom of Information requests completed within statutory timeframes | Communities | 91% | 92% | 90% | Green | Better |
| 4.1.04.PI | Percentage of council-wide corporate complaints responded to within agreed timescale | Communities | 75% | 85% | 80% | Green | Better |
| 4.1.05.PI | Percentage of capital corporate maintenance projects completed on time and on budget - year to date | Place | 70% | 70% | 70% | Green | N/A |
| 4.1.08.PI | Percentage of minor planning applications decided within time or with an extension of time | Place | 100% | 81% | 85% | Green | Worse |
| 4.1.09.a PI | Percentage of major planning applications decided within time or with an extension of time | Place | 80% | 100% | 85% | Green | Better |
| 4.1.09.b PI | Percentage of ‘other’ planning applications decided within time or with an extension of time | Place | New for 2026 to 2027 | 96% | 85% | Green | N/A |
| 4.1.11.PI | Percentage of complaints investigated and upheld by LGSCO where council already provided satisfactory remedy - year to date | Communities | 30% | 33% | 15% | Green | N/A |
| 4.1.12.PI | Silktide website accessibility ranking | Communities | New for 2026 to 2027 | 20 | 30 | Green | N/A |
| 4.2.1.a.PI | Value of general fund savings from the Business Change Programme – year to date | Place | £321,000 | £0 | £171,500 | Red | N/A |
| 4.2.2.PI | Council Tax collection rate - year to date | Resources | 97.1% | 28% | 28% | Green | N/A |
| 4.2.3.PI | Business Rates collection rate - year to date | Resources | 102.1% | 39% | 30% | Green | N/A |
| 4.2.4.PI | Debt outstanding as a percentage of gross debt | Resources | 4.6% | 5.3% | 7% | Green | N/A |
| 4.2.5.PI | Total debt as a percentage of core spending | Resources | 103% | 88.4% | 226% | Green | Better |
| 4.5.1.PI | Percentage of Bracknell Forest Council staff undertaking apprenticeships (excluding schools) | Resources | 4.2% | 4.2% | 4% | Green | No change |
| 4.5.2.PI | Turnover rate Bracknell Forest Council staff (excluding schools) - 12 month average | Resources | 10.6% | 9.9% | 12% | Green | Better |
| 4.5.3.PI | Vacancy rate Bracknell Forest Council staff (excluding schools) | Resources | 9.5% | 9.6% | 11.4% | Green | Worse |
| 4.5.4.PI | Percentage of agency workers council wide (excluding schools) | Resources | 3.3% | 3.4% | 3.1% | Green | Worse |
| 4.5.5.PI | Percentage of agency workers that are not covering an established post | Resources | 23.4% | 19.1% | 23% | Green | Better |
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) concluded 3 investigations in quarter 1, all of which were upheld. In 1 case, the Ombudsman found no injustice and in another found that the council had already provided a satisfactory remedy. The council is on track to complete all recommended actions by the target date of 1 August 2026.
The LGSCO issued 6 further final decisions this quarter. Three were not investigated as there was insufficient evidence of fault to justify investigation. Two were premature complaints, and 1 was outside the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman.
The LGSCO is selective in the complaints it investigates. It has said it is less likely to carry out investigations on 'borderline' issues. This leads to a naturally high percentage of complaints being upheld.
The savings targets for this year relate to the final year of 3-year business change programmes for digitalisation and efficiency, and neighbourhood regeneration and assets.
It is unlikely that these programmes will deliver any further significant savings, so alternative options are being explored by Change Board and in conjunction with IMPOWER as our transformation partner.
Contextual quarterly indicators
Contextual quarterly indicators
| Indicator | Description | Directorate | Last period | This period | Forecast | RAG status | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1.2.CI | Number of wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships conducted in council ceremony rooms - year to date | Communities | 184 | 50 | 52 | Green | N/A |
| 4.1.3.CI | Percentage of planning appeals dismissed | Place | 33% | 71% | 66% | Green | Better |
| 4.2.1.CI | Section 106 income recovered for legal costs | Communities | £62,954 | £32,257 | £29,375 | Green | N/A |
| 4.2.2.CI | Income achieved from Schools Service Level Agreement - year to date | Communities | £24,800 | £26,900 | £24,510 | Green | N/A |
| 4.3.3.CI | Vehicles and internal combustion engine powered plant converted to electric (highways work) | Place | 8 | 9 | 9 | Green | Better |
| 4.4.1.CI | Number of electors on the register | Communities | 95,732 | 95,758 | 95,500 | Green | Not applicable: Plan is best |
| 4.4.2.CI | Number of properties listed on the electoral register | Communities | 56,837 | 56,847 | 56,800 | Green | Not applicable: Plan is best |
| 4.4.3.CI | Number of permanent postal voters | Communities | 10,008 | 10,070 | 9,000 | Green | Better |
| 4.5.1.CI | Percentage of women in the top 5% of staff earners | Resources | 61.3% | 63.5% | 61.3% | Green | Better |
| 4.5.2.CI | Percentage of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) in the top 5% of staff earners | Resources | 16.1% | 14.2% | 16.5% | Red | Worse |
| 4.5.3.CI | Percentage of disabled staff in the top 5% of staff | Resources | 8.1% | 6.4% | 10% | Red | Worse |
| 4.5.4.CI | Percentage of employees with a disability | Resources | 5.8% | 5.4% | 7% | Red | Worse |
| 4.5.5.CI | Percentage of employees from a Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) background | Resources | 14.3% | 14.3% | 14.4% | Green | No change |
| 4.1.2.CI | Number of wedding ceremonies/civil partnerships conducted in council ceremony rooms - year to date | Communities | 184 | 50 | 52 | Green | N/A |
The percentage of staff from an ethnic background in the top 5% of earners has reduced.
There are currently 4 vacancies within this cohort - 1 of which is currently being recruited to. Bracknell Forest Council has a robust policy for ensuring diversity and inclusion within recruitment, including anonymised applications and a minimum of 1 question on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion included in an interview.
The proportion of disabled staff in the top 5% of staff reduced. The low result overall can be attributed to a large reporting gap in terms of staff disabilities as reported under ‘4.5.4.CI Percentage of employees with a disability’. Specifically, for those in the top 5%, over a third have not reported a disability. Regular requests will continue to be made to ask staff to update their personal details on the system to enable the council to better meet staff needs.
There are currently 4 vacancies within this cohort - 1 of which is currently being recruited to. Bracknell Forest Council has a robust policy for ensuring diversity and inclusion within recruitment, including anonymised applications and a minimum of 1 question on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion included in an interview.
The proportion of disabled staff reduced again this quarter as a result of a number of leavers.
The low result overall can be attributed to a large reporting gap in terms of staff disabilities (currently stands at 42.6%). This figure is higher within the schools staff cohort.
Regular requests will continue to be made to ask staff to update their personal details on the system which will support the council to:
- provide the right support and adjustments
- understand the workforce better
- strengthen fairness, inclusion and wellbeing