Dudley Council's most recent self-assessment performance report has unveiled a mixed set of outcomes, with close to half of its established targets not being met. The findings are scheduled for discussion at the upcoming Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on March 12, highlighting both successes and areas needing improvement.
Performance Metrics Overview
Out of the 14 core business performance measures that are regularly monitored, the data indicates that six measures were either on or above target, six fell below the expected benchmarks, and two remained within the acceptable tolerance range. This distribution underscores the varied effectiveness across different council operations.
Trend Analysis and Key Findings
An analysis of short-term trends reveals that seven measures are showing signs of improvement, while six are deteriorating, and one has remained consistent. In a report prepared for the committee and signed by Lisa Kitto, Dudley's interim director of resources, it was noted that performance is generally positive, with nearly half of all measures meeting or exceeding their targets. However, she acknowledged that some indicators remain below target and are being closely monitored and addressed.
Among the notable data points for councillors to review, there were 29 complaints against the council upheld in December 2025. This figure represents the lowest monthly count for the year at 16 percent, marking a significant improvement compared to the monthly average of 25 percent.
Staff Sickness and Financial Impact
During the third quarter of the financial year, staff sickness rates increased from 9.93 to 10.83 per full-time employee. Additionally, 48.73 percent of the workforce took some sick leave over the three-month period, resulting in a substantial cost to the council of £6.9 million. It is important to note that Dudley's sickness rates are broadly in line with those of similar authorities across the country.
Challenges with Freedom of Information Requests
Dudley Council continues to face difficulties in responding to Freedom of Information requests within the statutory time limits. In the third quarter, only 65.52 percent of requests were handled on time, which is significantly below the target of 90 percent. While the council admits that performance in this area is not where the team or committee desires it to be, the report points out that other local authorities, such as Sandwell and Birmingham councils, are also falling short of their targets.
Debt Collection Successes
On a more positive note, the collection of payments for unpaid invoices exceeded targets in December, with £5.3 million banked against a goal of £4 million. At the beginning of 2026, Dudley was owed £24.8 million in sundry debt, which excludes council tax, business rates, and unpaid parking fines. Of this sundry debt, £8.43 million is from invoices that are more than 60 days old, including £2.05 million owed by the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and £1.32 million owed to the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board.
The comprehensive report provides a detailed snapshot of the council's operational effectiveness, highlighting both achievements and areas requiring focused attention to enhance public service delivery.
