Agenda item

The Leader of the Council to submit a report advising Members of the current state of performance against the defined performance reporting measures for the priority themes within the Council’s Corporate Priorities for the fourth quarter of the financial year 2019-20.

Cabinet NOTED the contents of the report and HIGHLIGHTED observations and actions to relevant officers accordingly.

Dawn Garton, Director for Corporate Services introduced the report, which advised Members of the current state of performance against the defined performance reporting measures for the priority themes within the Council’s Corporate Priorities for the fourth quarter of the financial year 2019-20.

Mrs. Garton highlighted that Appendix 1 provided in depth information and included historical data from the previous 2 years.   In view of the COVID-19 crises, the Council would review its Corporate Strategy and would amend as necessary.  Performance indicators would be considered as part of the review.

Councillor Orson commented that the information contained within this report was evidence of the effectiveness of the Council and there were several indicators of good performance and performance improvements (the number of major planning decisions taken; void property turnarounds increasing from 50 days in quarter 3 to 28 days in quarter 4 - additional focus was being given to this key area and further improvements were anticipated; requests for information responded to within statutory deadlines had remained good despite the COVID-19 crisis; a reduction in staff turnover over the past 3 years, as a result of the Council’s Workforce Strategy, which had focussed on recruitment and retention etc.)

During discussion the following points were noted:

·         Members noted the excellent work of officers, particularly in relation to the improved turnaround times on void properties and improvements on non-decent homes.  Hidden homelessness was still a concern but the Council had effective processes in place to take swift action.  It was anticipated that further improvements would be made in all areas.

·         Members thanked Councillor Cumbers and Scrutiny Committee for the review work they had undertaken on void properties.

·         The performance data enabled the Council to focus on specific areas and where to place additional resources.  The information was useful to inform and support the Corporate Strategy.

·         The next quarter would reveal how tenants, residents and Council services had been impacted by COVID-19 and what support would be required.

·         It was important to recognise that the amount of unexpected and additional work undertaken by officers in response to the COVID-19 crisis would not be captured by performance indicators (i.e. delivery of food parcels and prescriptions, handing out hand sanitiser, checking on the well-being of vulnerable people etc.)

·         Members expressed concern over the performance data on ‘Revenues – the number of customers in arrears and in receipt of Universal Credit’.  It should be noted that this has been a historic problem and that COVID-19 would only have impacted on the very end of the last quarter.  Additional information on changes over this period would have been useful to gage the real significance of COVID-19 in relation to this issue.

·         Members noted that companies and businesses within Melton had reacted positively to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and as a result had helped the Borough’s economy.  Specific thanks were expressed to Biffa, who had continued its 3 services and had maintained collection rates.

Cabinet NOTED the contents of the report and HIGHLIGHTED observations and actions to relevant officers accordingly.