Agenda item

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

That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s comments on the Performance Management Report for Quarter Three of 2016/17 be NOTED.  

90.1           The report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chair, circulated at Pages No. 15-50, asked Members to review and, if appropriate, take action on the observations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee following its review of the 2016/17 quarter three performance management information.

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

90.3           In the absence of the Chair, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Vice-Chair explained that it had been reported to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee that progress on Council performance over the past quarter was generally good with some key areas of excellent performance including the successful launch of the Council’s new website, which was receiving recognition nationally; a significant commercial property investment; and the approval of the main modifications to the Joint Core Strategy. In relation to the performance report, a Member had raised concern that there was no timeline for a review of the discretionary trade waste service. In response, the Head of Community Services had explained that there were two reviews being undertaken in relation to this issue, one by Ubico and one by the Council, and it was felt sensible to wait until Ubico had appointed consultants to start its work. This had now been done and a scoping report would be put together for the Council’s review. Another Member had requested an update on the progress of the vision for the J9 area and, in response, the Chief Executive had advised that a consultant had been engaged to help produce and deliver the vision. A successful funding bid for £234,000 had been made to the Homes and Communities Agency with the potential for more following further discussions. A meeting of the J9 Area Member Reference Panel would take place shortly to consider an action plan to take that forward. In terms of key performance indicators, a Member had felt that officers spent a lot of time on the details of planning applications that were often still refused and they had asked for an explanation on this. In response, the Head of Development Services had explained that it was important to recognise the complexity of the planning process and the many different issues to be taken into consideration, even with small applications. Members were assured that if they had queries about specific applications she would be happy to look at them on an individual basis. Another Member had asked if it would be appropriate for the Committee to receive an update on the second phase of the planning systems review and the Head of Development Services had indicated that she was keen to look at performance and build on the improvements already made and, as such, this would be added to the Committee’s work programme. There had been some discussion about enviro-crimes and whether the necessary equipment was available to help combat the problem. The Head of Community Services had explained that he would find out how many cameras were available and where they were located. He had also explained that he planned to discuss the employment of an Environmental Warden with Parish Councils; in addition, the team was looking at hotspots for dog fouling and the Public Protection Orders which would allow Fixed Penalty Notices to be issued. In terms of sickness absence, a Member had highlighted that there was an increasing trend in short term sickness and asked for assurance that this was being monitored. The Head of Corporate Services had explained that there was often an increase in short term absences during the winter period due to colds and other viruses; he confirmed that it was being monitored and pointed out that a review of the Council’s Absence Management Policy was a ‘pending’ item on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s work programme. In addition, the internal audit team would be looking at absence management and ensuring the policy was being applied consistently.

90.4           Referring to the number of reported enviro-crimes, a Member indicated that the Community Safety Partnership had given the Borough Council a grant to change the position of CCTV cameras and she questioned whether this had been used. She was aware that some cameras could not be redeployed as they did not work so she was unsure of the current status in this regard. In response, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Vice-Chair explained that, when the Committee had received a report at a recent meeting, the information provided had noted that the Borough had three CCTV cameras. She was unsure of their current status and indicated that she would investigate and advise the Member following the meeting. The Lead Member was aware that flytipping was a huge problem across the country and he understood that the government was looking to offer local authorities more powers to try and tackle the problem; he hoped that those powers would be implemented by the Council when it had the opportunity to do so.

90.5           Accordingly, it was