Issue - meetings

To provide an update on Council performance for the period 1 April 2017 to 30 June 2017 (report of the Executive Director – Strategy and Governance is enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Executive Director Strategy and Governance which provided an update on Council performance for the period 1 April 2017 to 30 June 2017.

The Quarter 1 2017/18 Performance Report, attached at Appendix A to the report, provided councillors and residents with information about how the Council was delivering its services and how it was progressing against its Corporate Priorities.

Quarter 2 showed increased levels of performance in the majority of indicators.  Two areas of concern were noted:

·         Housing Void Figures – The service was currently undergoing a major redesign (as part of the ongoing Place Review) with the process of void management an integral part of the redesign. 

·         Sickness – Breakdown of short and long term sickness was now reported, which would provide more context to understand where the days lost to sickness were marginally higher and largely due to longer term illnesses.

DECISION:

That the report be noted.

(Other options considered:

·         Do nothing;

Reasons for decision:

·         No recommendations are made.  The report is presented for consideration in order that members are aware of how the Council is delivering its services and how it is progressing against its Corporate Priorities.)

To provide an update on Council performance for the period 1 April 2017 to 30 June 2017 (report of the Executive Director Strategy and Governance enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Executive Director Strategy and Governance which provided an update on Council performance for the period 1 April 2017 to 30 June 2017. Areas where performance had improved since the previous period were brought to members’ attention, as were areas where performance was below expected levels or was considered to be worsening.

Quarter 1 saw performance improve in comparison to Quarter 4 of the previous year.  Performance was rated as moderate with 11 indicators being green (42%) which indicated good performance.  There were 3 (12%) amber indicators and 10 red indicators (38%), indicating lower than expected performance.  There were 6 indicators which were classified as data only, which meant that they were monitored without requiring a target.

In discussing the report the following key points emerged:

·         The performance of CPBS’ Revenues and Benefits was good.  The figures are still to be audited by DWP and therefore no guarantee of avoiding fines until this had been done. Councillors discussed the current error rate target of 0.46% and whether this could be reduced. It was noted that the error rate calculation was re-set to zero every April with the new financial year and was set to provide caution before reaching the level at which financial penalties would apply.  Therefore it would not be recommended to change the target.

·         Void properties – there was a new team structure in place and more regular checks were going to be undertaken while tenants were still in residence in order to reduce the amount of property damage.

·         It was noted that the business rate collection was currently green. There was anecdotal evidence that businesses were being visited to check that the Council’s information was correct as businesses were moving or closing and not informing the Council.  Councillors questioned the necessity of this proactive approach. The Senior Business Intelligence Officer reported that she would seek information from CPBS and report back.

·         Councillors were encouraged by the reduction in the number of complaints.

·         Looking at the figures relating to garden waste, Councillors queried whether garden waste bags collected by residual waste trucks (black bags) was causing an increase in residual waste sent to ‘energy form waste’? Should more trucks be collecting garden waste and why has the report to Council on the pilot been delayed? Are people able to be on the waiting list and order garden bags? Should the Council be marketing recycling options more clearly? The Senior Business Intelligence Officer reported that she would seek information and report back to Councillors.

·         With regard to planning application determination times –was the high performance due to an unusual level of agreed time extensions?

·         Councillors discussed the homelessness figures and noted that 79 people had been prevented from homelessness during April and May due to the Council’s intervention. The mathematics behind the benchmarking number was queried and The Senior Business Intelligence Officer reported that she would seek information and report back to Councillors.

AGREED:

1.    That the report of the executive Director  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16