Agenda item

To receive and respond to the findings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee‘s review of the quarter one performance management information.  

That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s comments on the Performance Management Report for Quarter One of 2017/18 be NOTED.    

49.1           The report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chair, circulated at Pages No. 17-53, asked Members to review and, if appropriate, take action on the observations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee following its review of the 2017/18 quarter one performance management information.

49.2           Attention was drawn to the observations made by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, attached at Appendix 1 to the report, and to the Council Plan Performance Tracker, attached to the report at Appendix 2.

49.3           The Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chair explained that progress on Council performance for the first quarter of 2017/18 was generally good with some key areas of excellent performance including the introduction of a new business grants scheme with a new online form available; four successful fly-tipping/duty of care prosecutions; and a tenant having been secured for a third of the top floor of the Public Services Centre. While the performance report indicated that actions were looking positive for the year ahead, given the wide range of performance that was reported on, Members had also been made aware of areas that were not progressing as planned. A Member had questioned whether a plan to regenerate Spring Gardens was on track and the Committee had been informed that a report was being taken to the Executive Committee in the near future which would set out the proposed way forward. It had been noted that, at a recent East Area Place Programme meeting it had come to light that Officers were unclear as to who owned the assets in areas across the Borough and a Member had raised concerns around this. In response, the Head of Finance and Asset Management had provided reassurance that the Asset Management Team had identified everything the Council owned in the Borough and, in addition, work was ongoing with the County Council and the NHS to enable the plotting of all the assets owned by those organisations, and the Council, onto one system. Under the action to deliver the Council’s asset plan, a Member had asked for an update on the disposal of the garage sites and it was explained that, unfortunately, it had not happened as quickly as had been hoped; this was largely due to the capacity of the team but a plan was in place to go to the market in the New Year. Under the same action, a Member had questioned when work was going to start on the Vineyards play area and the Head of Finance and Asset Management had confirmed that the work had now commenced. Under the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for outstanding sundry debt which was in excess of 12 months old, a Member had questioned whether the debt for £10,973 was likely to be recovered. In response, the Head of Finance and Asset Management had explained that it was close to a resolution and he was confident of receiving the full sum in due course. In terms of customer-focused services, a Member had raised concern around parking at the Public Services Centre site and Members were advised that ensuing there was adequate parking remained a priority; a final scheme design for the depot was being looked at to see how many spaces could be provided.

49.4           During the discussion which ensued, a Member referred to Page No. 51 of the report and questioned whether crime was actually increasing or rather that reporting of crime was increasing. She was aware that a lot of crime was not reported so the figures were not always a true reflection of what was happening in neighbourhoods across the Borough. In response, the Head of Community Services undertook to speak to the Inspector about this issue. He knew there was more resource going into the Borough and he felt the figures were in line with the national increase but he would look into this and confirm. In terms of the possible letting of the top floor of the Public Services Centre to Severn Vale Housing Society, the Deputy Chief Executive indicated that the Board had now confirmed that it was keen to consider all of the options available for its future and, as such, it would not be moving into the building in the short term. Officers would therefore be moving forward with the marketing of the space to other organisations.

49.5           Accordingly, it was