Issue - meetings

A report providing an update to Cabinet on progress on delivering the aspirations set out in the Council's Corporate Strategy 2020-2024.

Cabinet NOTED the contents of the report and PROVIDED any observations or actions to the relevant officers accordingly.

Councillor Margaret Glancy, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Governance, Environment and Regulatory Services introduced the report, the purpose of which was to update Members on the progress in delivering the aspirations set out in the Council's Corporate Strategy 2020-2024.

Councillor Glancy advised that the latest position at the end of quarter 4 showed that the Council were performing well across a range of services and in delivery of its Corporate Strategy.  These areas included:

·       Anti-social behaviour (ASB) cases – there were 27 cases in quarter 4, which was the lowest figure since quarter 1 in 2021/22.  However, officers had been dealing with some very complex cases this quarter, which had been time intensive and had included the closure of properties and injunctions.

·       Rent collected as a percentage of the rent due in year – the Council had achieved better performance in rent collection during quarter 4.  Although not meeting targets, the trend was positive at 97.35%.

Councillor Glancy confirmed that where areas were in need of improvement, officers had developed plans to address the issues.  These included:

·       Homelessness – a higher number of priority need cases during December 2023 had resulted in an increase requirement for bed and breakfast accommodation.  The Council had a limited number of 2/3 bedroom properties to house families and this had resulted in a delay of families moving out from temporary accommodation.

·       Percentage of occupied commercial units in Council ownership -  occupancy in the Council’s commercial units had dipped to 90% from a full occupancy.  There were 2 units vacant, which officers were actively marketing to interested parties.

Councillor Glancy thanked the Community Safety Team for their work to provide high quality services and in do so, moved the recommendations.  The Leader seconded the motion, thanking the Team and Councillors Sharon Butcher and Sarah Cox for their work on anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Cox added her thanks to the Community Safety Team, highlighting their significant work in areas such as obtaining closure orders against people causing disruption within the community, supporting neighbours, securing Police and Crime Commissioner funding, taking anti-vandalism measures in respect of preventing roof climbing and graffiti and the town’s CCTV camera initiative.

Cabinet NOTED the contents of the report and PROVIDED any observations or actions to the relevant officers accordingly.

(Non-key Decision)

Reason for Recommendation

Having established a Corporate Strategy in September 2020, is it important the Council regularly receives and considers performance information to evaluate progress.  The Council's Corporate Performance Measures are used to focus on key priority services and projects and seek to help inform the Cabinet, Members and Officers with regard to the formation of policy and oversight of delivery.