CIVIC chiefs are changing performance targets instead of tackling key issues in Winchester, a meeting heard.

Winchester City Council’s plans for 2015/16 are “inward-facing” and changing targets was “not good enough”, the Lib Dem opposition leader claimed.

Cllr Kelsie Learney told Wednesday’s meeting that the plan is “incredibly inward-facing when we look at what it's trying to do - it's very focused on individual actions rather than outcomes and goals that we want to achieve.

"If we don't [meet targets] then we just change the target rather than change what we're doing. That's not good enough."

The portfolio plans set out cabinet members’ priorities and goals for Winchester over the next year.

Tory councillor Frank Pearson said the cabinet is more efficient than its predecessors, including the Lib Dem administration led by Cllr Learney.

"Sometimes targets have to be changed," he added, "because the circumstances change - we presently have a coalition government that sometimes changes its mind."

Tory council leader Rob Humby criticised councillors who "decided to make mischief" at the meeting by "picking on" cabinet chiefs and asking about detail, adding: "This is the overall situation from the council for the year. I would hope in future the members would treat that slightly more seriously. We have very clear plans and a very clear focus."