Issue - meetings

Report by Director of Corporate Services to provide an update 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.

The Policy and Communications Manager introduced the report the purpose of which updated Members on the progress on delivering the aspirations set out in the Council’s Corporate Strategy 2020-24.

The Deputy Leader, Portfolio Holder for Governance, Environment and Regulatory Services commented that the report shows the council in a positive light and is performing well across a range of services and delivering against the corporate strategies.

The Director for Housing and Communities, Deputy CEO, confirmed there had been challenges around rent collection and that it is an area that needs improvement to maximise income. There has been some additional resource support brought in since the report was written to try and accelerate progress and tackle rent arrears. Reports will be brought to Cabinet more frequently regarding rent arrears.

The Director for Housing and Communities, Deputy CEO confirmed there had been challenges around voids which is receiving a huge amount of investment to address a the backlog. Historic voids are an issue and some of which have been empty for a long period of time and there was a higher-than-average void rate at Gretton Court. There has been an audit on the void performance which had a number of recommendations which would further support improvements.

The Chief Executive Officer advised members that there is a very broad definition of what a complaint is, and the Council does not constrain peoples’ ability to make a complaint. The Complaints Policy had now been written giving clear information on how staff are to respond to a complaint and attention is being paid as to how a complaint is passed to the correct person and that it is responded to in time. The report gives assurances that there is a transparency about the number of complaints received and the processes of how a complant is managed. There is currently a review of our customer service interactions underway and the results would be reported back to Cabinet in due course.

The Portfolio Holder for Customers, Communities and Neighbourhoods enquired if the Golden Goodbye scheme be considered to be reintroduced where tenants are paid a small amount of money to leave their properties in good condition to allow for a quick turnover for the next tenant. 

The Assistant Director for Housing advised that the golden goodbye scheme is under consideration and that members’ also receive the voids report every month so progress can be seen.  

The Leader, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Landlord Services enquired if officers could possibly produce a report regarding the golden goodbye in due course.

Cabinet:

1)     NOTED the contents of the report and provided any observations or actions to the relevant officers accordingly.

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 regarding the formation of policy and oversight of delivery.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16