Council plan overview report - Quarterly updates on key performance indicators

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.

In line with the Department for Education's (DofE) formal reporting requirements, the data is gathered on a young person's birthday, therefore is not 'live'. The result of 59.5% Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) formally reported at quarter 2, reflects those who have had qualifying birthdays during the period - half of the whole cohort.

At the end of quarter 2 there were a total of 128 former qualifying care leavers aged 18 to 24 years. 52 of these young people are recorded as NEET, 16 for reasons of pregnancy, parenting or illness. Therefore, the overall NEET data for this age group is 40.6% as opposed to 59.8%.

This is an improving picture, reflective of work to improve outcomes and opportunities for those we work with. There has been a review of the definition of NEET/EET status in line with DofE guidance so they are reflected as the correct status. The Life Chances meeting is adapted to focus on EET data and establishing clear plans and themes around those who are NEET.

Work has also been completed with the Business Intelligence team to record EET status in a timely manner in order that monthly data reflects the current position.

Care Experienced Champions meetings have taken place monthly, there will be activities during Work Experience Week in November and an open day at Open Learning Centre and Bracknell and Wokingham College exclusively for care leavers. Corporate parenting training is being rolled out further during quarter 3.

As reported under action ‘COM.4.01 Increase uptake of smoking cessation services among communities with higher prevalence’, the Stop Smoking service has successfully engaged a greater number of individuals, but this has not translated into a significant increase in the overall number of people quitting within their 4-week quit date, which this indicator relates to.

Efforts are ongoing to collaborate with the provider to improve this result going forward and there are a number of activities, noted under action COM.4.01 to improve engagement in smoking cessation programmes for priority groups, including working alongside lung health checks, collaborating with Frimley Hospital and recruiting a Tobacco Control Officer. The reported result is the latest available at the time of the report quarter 1 2025 to 2026).

As reported in the quarter 1 report, the indicator and key result ‘1.4.3.KR Number of children engaged in the creative conversations on healthy eating’ is no longer applicable and has been removed from the report.

The pilot programme was not extended into 2025 to 2026, pending a full needs assessment into the whole system approach to healthy weight which is currently being undertaken.   To reflect the importance of children’s health to the delivery of the Council Plan priority ‘Engaged and healthy communities’, it is proposed to report an alternative two indicators in line with National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) instead.

Annual results for 2024 to 2025 for ‘% of Reception Year children overweight or obese’ and ‘% of Year 6 children overweight or obese’ will be reported at quarter 3 2025 to 26.  Both results will be reported as contextual indicators, as they are outcome focussed and not wholly within the council’s control.

There is an overall rise in children becoming subject of a Child Protection Plan (CPP). Comparison data from neighbouring councils shows that Bracknell's overall increase since November 2024 is 28% whilst Slough is 39%; Reading 43%; Wokingham 31% and West Berkshire 3%.

A review of the data to explore trends has shown that the increase is due to bigger sibling groups, more children being put on plan than coming off and more Initial Child Protection Conferences (ICPC).  Analysis has shown that the length of time on a CPP is not contributing to the increase.  There is strong oversight and scrutiny of children coming to ICPC and on those already on a plan.  Continued close collaboration between teams is ensuring that children are appropriately brought to conference and made subject to a CPP where appropriate, to keep them safer.

There were 127 net completions during July to September.  These comprised of 116 net completions on large sites and 11 net completions on medium sites.   Completions for this quarter were below the target that was set in the Bracknell Forest Local Plan Housing Trajectory.

This reflects the reported weakening in the housing market due to a decrease in buyer demand for new dwellings.  At the time of the report, there were 1,144 dwellings under construction.  It is difficult to predict how many of those will be completed by 31 March 2026 due to a multitude of factors beyond the control of the council.

A total of 33 affordable homes were forecast to complete this quarter. However 27 of these across 3 separate sites have been subject to developer delays.

Further information on the cause of these delays is being sought in order to readjust forecasts for the remainder of the year, however the expectation at this stage is that the annual target of 77 will be achieved.   Year to date 28 affordable homes have been completed versus a forecast at the end of September 2025 of 38.

The Lexicon’s data monitoring system remains under review and at the time of the report a result for footfall within the town centre was not available.

However, the Lexicon reports that it continues to perform very well, showing growth and outperforming regional averages and UK trends. Consumer spending has also increased, surpassing inflation and the British Retail Consortium trends.

The high occupancy rate across the town currently stands at an impressive 99% by floor area. This is a testament to the great mix of retail stores, restaurants, charity shops, and independents that are resonating exceptionally well with our visitors. The positive response to The Lexicon marketing events and promotions such as Summer Safari, Lexicon Live, and Dinner & Movie, has been very encouraging.

The current unit occupancy rate is at an all-time high since the opening in 2017 and underscores the success being achieved.

This is a contextual indicator as the number of applications is outside of the council's control. While the increase in permit applications during the quarter is beneficial to the council in financial terms, the higher-than-expected number of applications means it is challenging to keep key routes clear.

Some of the applications were the result of faults, bursts, escapes which are unplanned, but combined with the amount of planned work, causes some angst among the normal travelling public.

The aim is that the approval of a Lane Rental will improve this situation (see action ORG.1.20).  The scheme is designed to charge works promoters for working on the 10% of busiest roads at the busiest times and will help the council minimise disruption caused by road and street works.

Within quarter 2, a total of 22 applications were determined, only 16 of which were determined either within the statutory deadline or with an agreed extension of time.  (Compared 21 of 28 being determined in time during quarter 1, 75%).

Officers liaise with applicants to make sure that the decision taken on any planning application is robust and this can involve requesting revisions or clarification before a decision can be made. Agreement to an extension of time is requested, to cover the period taken by the applicant to submit any required information and for its consideration by officers. In instances where applications are refused it is unusual for an applicant to agree to an extension of time, however even when the application is ultimately approved some applicants do not respond or do not agree to such a request. This was the case in relation to the 6 applications (2 refusal and 4 approvals) within this reporting period.

The quarter 2 result falls short of the council’s aspirational target of 90% for this reporting measure, but is above the general threshold of 70% (12-month average) set by government to make sure of adequate service levels in respect of the determination of planning applications. Bracknell Forest Council decided 85% of minor planning applications in time or within extension during 2024/25 vs. a national result of 87%.

To date £146,300 savings have been delivered through the digitalisation and efficiency programme, with a further £125,000 due to be delivered by the end of the financial year. £49,700 savings have been delivered through the neighbourhood regeneration and assets programme. 

As reported under action ORG.1.02, whilst some revenue savings have been identified through the neighbourhood regeneration and assets programme, the current programme will not deliver the scale of savings required. The programme is being reprioritised and aligned to the 3-year strategic planning to achieve savings over a longer term.

At this stage in the financial year, it remains challenging to provide an accurate forecast of full year costs and associated savings. The savings target continues to be directly linked to interventions identified within the Safety Valve programme.

As outlined in action COM.1.18, delivery of these interventions continues to be on track. However, due to ongoing volatility in demand and unit costs, a reliable estimate is not yet available. It is anticipated that by quarter three, a more robust forecast will be possible, enabling clearer reporting against the savings target.

Whilst there have been new apprentices this quarter within the Public Health team, the overall percentage remains below target.  Apprenticeship opportunities will be promoted during National Apprentice Week for existing council employees who may wish to undertake an apprenticeship as part of their development and training (9-15 February 2026).

In addition to the targeted campaign during quarter 3, the recruitment team routinely flag vacant positions that have been identified by the manager as potentially suitable for an apprentice.  Learning and Development also forward any training requests that could potentially be met by an apprenticeship, and personal development requests from appraisals are followed up.

Discussions at Department Management Teams (DMTs) encourage use of an apprenticeship to attract candidates to hard to fill roles and reminders about the opportunities provided an apprenticeship are communicated to staff through Forest Views Extra and manager newsletters.

As reported in the Q1 report, the indicator ‘4.3.4.CI Energy saved from modification to electrical assets (kWh)’ is no longer applicable and has been removed from the report. 

A replacement annual indicator is proposed to be reported at Q4 2025/26:  ‘Carriageway surface treatment installed to extend the life expectancy and whole-life carbon footprint of existing road surfaces’.   This will complement results already included in the Place service plan related to the reduction of the council’s carbon footprint including sustainable road replacement surfacing, publicly available charge points, and children's cycle schemes.

The percentage of disabled staff continues to be below target and there is still a large gap in the self-recording of disability on the HR system.   A reminder to update personal details, including disability, will be sent out in quarter 3 or 4, as part a wider communication to ask staff to provide details for several new additional fields.