NEW performance figures show Cheshire West and Chester Council is making good progress towards its goals.

Mid-way through the 2017/18 financial year, this data shows that the council is on target in relation to 30.3 per cent of its 165 performance measures.

It has almost reached its target in 13.3 per cent and has not achieved its target in 10.9 per cent.

A further 45.5 per cent of measures cannot be reported as they relate to annual figures that are not available mid-year.

Compared to the last reported figures, 63.2 per cent of measures are showing improved performance, 27.4 per cent are maintaining their position and 9.5 per cent are declining.

Examples of strong performance include a four per cent improvement in breast feeding rates, 98 empty homes being brought back into use, 255 affordable homes being delivered and the opening of Chester Bus Interchange.

There has also been a reduction in household waste and a continued increase in the number of people engaging with libraries, with 789,688 recorded in the first half of 2017-18, an increase of more than 100,000 from the equivalent period in 2016-17.

Cllr Louise Gittins, deputy leader of CWAC cabinet member for communities and wellbeing , said: “We set up our Performance West Cheshire website and update it twice a year with the latest performance figures to make sure that residents can see how we are doing in relation to the Council Plan.

“Our community helped us to form the priorities in that plan and we want them to see how we are achieving those goals and helping our residents, communities and economy to thrive.

“We are committed to openness and transparency and want residents to see that we are striving to achieve their priorities, even in financially straitened times.”

A full picture of performance for 2017/18 will be available in summer 2018.