Agenda item

Heather Grover, Principal Policy Officer, presented Performance Scrutiny Committee with a summary of the operational performance position for quarter two of the financial year 2019/20 (from July 2019 to September 2019).

Explained that as part of the development of the new performance system (PIMS), all strategic measures were reviewed, with new targets allocated at the start of 2019/20. Some measures were marked as ‘V’ for volumetric –these were contextual measures which supported targeted measures.

Continued to explain that this was the second quarter working on the new set of measures and targets. In Line with the refresh of measures, the Policy Team had redesigned the Operational Performance Report (Appendix A) to bring it in line with the council’s corporate branding.

Highlighted that quarter two’s performance showed significant improvement in a number of service areas, particularly in Housing Benefit Administration, Planning and Housing Maintenance. There were challenges in Customer Services and Housing Voids, although resolution plans were in place for both of these services to bring them back to within their targets.

Invited members’ comments and questions.

Question: Members asked whether the decline in business rates collection was due to appeals?

Response: The decline in Business Rates collection was partly due to backdated rateable value changes. There had been a lot of changes which affected instalments. Staff were doing everything they could to recover rates and it was hoped that this would be on target in March. In terms of Council Tax, there had been an increase of 500 properties within the City and 4 new members had been recruited to the team to replace vacancies and provide an additional resource.

Question: Members asked when the Citizens Panel were consulted in respect of on street cleansing?

Response: The consultation took place in June.

Question: Members asked why the works on the fire doors in Jarvis House had been delayed and what position this left the Council in?

Response:. The work that had previously taken place on the communal fire doors at another location was being audited prior to work across the wider stock being progressed. In addition, work was ongoing with the Director of Housing and Assistant Director for Investment, to re-align the budget for the HIP Programme looking at wider opportunities in relation to fire prevention and detection. A fire specialist was working with us regarding the fire safety of our flats and a report would be received shortly that is anticipated to be positive in relation to existing fire prevention in place. The Director of Communities and Environment was to feed this back to Housing to keep residents informed and provide an update to the committee.

Question: Members asked whether Stagecoach had signed up for the Social Responsibility Charter?

Response: Stagecoach had not signed up to the Social Responsibility Charter but would be approached to do so.

RESOLVED that:

1.    The achievements, issues and future operational performance concerns be noted for Quarter 2.

2.    The report be referred to Executive to ensure relevant portfolio holders were placing a local focus on highlighted areas showing deteriorating performance.

3.    Officers were to feedback to the Housing Directorate that residents needed to be kept up to date with regards to the fire safety works in flats and an update would be given to the Committee.