Dundee City Council chief points out ‘significant improvement’

Dundee City Council’s overall performance is improving, its chief executive has said.

David Dorward has drawn up a report on key performance indicators for the first nine months of 2013/14. He said that while scores were down in seven categories, there had been “significant improvement” in 13 others.

Some 87% of indicators showed performance had risen or been maintained.

In the education and skills category, the report shows a 10% increase in the number of clients going through the employability pipeline who got a job and a 16% rise in the number of company start-ups helped by the business gateway.

There has also been an 8% rise in the number of adult learners compared to the same period last year.

In children’s services, Mr Dorward noted an “excellent” 22% increase in the number of child protection conferences taking place within the 15-day target.

Other positive changes included a 10% drop in the number of people making a homeless application. There was also a 6% decrease in the length of time it takes council officers to respond to a noise complaint.