Agenda item

A report of the Strategic Director of Environmental and Corporate Services to provide annual monitoring information and results for 2021.

Considered a report of the Strategic Director, Environmental and Corporate Services providing annual performance monitoring information and results for 2020-21 (item 5 on the agenda filed with these minutes).  The Chair confirmed with Heads of Service and Cabinet Lead Members attending the meeting virtually that they could hear the proceedings before considering this item.

Assisting with the consideration of the report: Leader of the Council, Cabinet Lead Member for Community Support and Equalities, Cabinet Lead Member for Finance and Property Services, Cabinet Lead Member for Planning, Cabinet Lead Member for Private Housing, Strategic Director, Environmental and Corporate Services, Head of Cleansing and Open Spaces, Head of Customer Experience, Head of Planning and Regeneration, Head of Strategic and Private Sector Housing, and the Organisational Change Officer.

Summary, key points of discussion:

·         format of the report slightly amended due to the pandemic, with the KPIs divided into those which the Council directly impacted and those which the Council indirectly impacted, with a total of 28 being recorded.

·         the Vaccination centre was expected to be leased to the NHS until March 2022.

·         the impact of the pandemic on reletting of properties.  Prior to the pandemic 361 properties were let, the 297 relets during the pandemics was comparable.  The letting process had been adapted to cope with changes to work patterns and requirement for social distancing and sanitisation. There were a number of properties unsuccessfully advertised with no bids being placed.  A review was underway to improve the process and possible re-designation of the age related hard to let properties.

·         the Biodiversity net gain plan was being progressed and once drafted would be submitted to the Cabinet.

·         30 empty homes being brought back into use in the private rented sector this year was noted.  The impact of the pandemic limiting face to face interaction had made reaching the target of 50 challenging.

·         staff engagement through JMTUM, Staff Forum and with the Unions had been extensive prior to implementing changes to the staff working policy.  This would continue as staff returned to working more in the office.

·         reference was made to enforcement resources and its potential impact on prioritisation of cases.  One vacant post had been deleted, as the responsibilities of the post could be funded using other revenue streams in future.  All cases were investigated, and case prioritisation and service pressures were managed in accordance with enforcement policies.  Cases judged to cause irreparable harm would be progressed as a priority.

·         noted the 60% payments declined for Track and Trace as reported in the press was comparable to figures for the Council; the criteria set by the Government had been extended to 30th September.

·         the key performance indicator for number of void properties indicator noted as red before and during the pandemic  with approx. 10% of the Council’s housing stock void.  The reasons for properties being void was complex; some were in the process of being renovated, some under major works, properties unsuccessfully advertised, repeat adverts, no bis placed or short lists exhausted.  The Charnwood Lettable Standard for voids and the renewing of bathrooms and kitchens was not a limiting factor in letting properties, although it was easier to replace when the properties were empty.  The Council operated a choice based letting system which allowed prospective tenants to bid for properties and they were encouraged to consider properties across the borough.  Some properties and areas were less popular.

The new format and design of the report was welcomed.  Considering the impact of the pandemic the performance delivered by the council was considered outstanding and staff and political leadership were thanked.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration agreed to provide the percentage of planning applications determined within the normal timescales for Q1-Q3, shown greyed out in the report.

The Head of Private and Strategic Housing agreed to provide a list of void properties with reasons why they were currently not being let.

The Democratic Services Officer agreed to ask the relevant Heads of Service with regard to the following enquires and to circulate responses to the Committee:

1.    what was remaining from £419,700 budget generated to support the work of the Charnwood Community Action Hub and what the plan was going forward (section 5.3 p8 refers).

2.    provision of evidence to support annual reduction in crime for 2020-21 and a breakdown of how crimes related to covid and non covid for 2020-21.  (section 8.2, p11 refers).

3.    the location of the 51 Air quality monitoring sites (section 8.7, p 12 refers).

4.    the reason why, considering 1,966 fly tipping incidents had occurred that only 6 fixed penalty notices were issued (p18-19 refers).

RESOLVED that the Committee noted the performance results, associated commentary and the explanations provided.

Reason

To provide an overview of annual performance, ensure that targets are being met and to identify areas where performance might be improved.