Agenda item

To consider performance against the key activities identified in the Council’s Corporate Plan for 2014/15 for the period 1st July to 30th September 2014.

(Executive Councillors J D Ablewhite, B S Chapman, D B Dew, J A Gray, R B Howe, T D Sanderson and D M Tysoe have been invited to attend for this discussion).

(Executive Councillors D B Dew and D M Tysoe attended the Panel meeting for discussion on this item.)

By way of a report by the Policy and Performance Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Panel was updated on progress achieved against key activities identified in the Council’s Corporate Plan over the period 1st July to 30th September 2014.

Proceeding to review the key actions under each strategic theme and in response to questions regarding the issue of fixed penalty notices (FPNs) and fly tipping, Councillor Tysoe reported that eight FPNs has been issued by the District Council in the year to date by a small team of two who also were required to respond to other issues. For comparison, Fenland District Council maintained a team of five Officers for the purpose who had issued 14 FPNs over the same period.  Councillor Tysoe confirmed that prosecutions for fly tipping had been undertaken and that he would advise Councillor Carter, after the meeting, should there be any cases currently under investigation.

In terms of litter around Tesco stores and fast food outlets (at Brampton Hut), Councillor Tysoe undertook to request the Head of Operations to pursue the issue with the organisations concerned.  Having been advised of the opportunity to establish litter control zones under the Environmental Protection Act to prevent this nuisance and whilst accepting that these zones might require enforcement, Councillor Tysoe undertook to follow up the suggestion with the Head of Operations.  It also was proposed that the Operations Division might engage local schools in litter prevention programmes.

Referring to diversionary activities for young people, the Managing Director accepted that the current measure was crude but that this was outweighed by the health benefit and diversionary activities provided to young people at minimal cost to the District Council.

In respect of partnership commitments, the Managing Director confirmed that an analysis of partnership arrangements was currently underway to establish those to whom further commitment would be made having regard to value for money and corporate priorities. 

Regarding arrangements for temporary accommodation and in response to concern that accommodation should be maintained as temporary, the Managing Director assured the Panel that use of short term accommodation and bed and breakfast was resisted with greater reliance placed on Registered Social Landlords to locate suitable properties for those occupying temporary accommodation to move into.  Whilst the Housing Team enjoyed a good working relationship with social landlords, the Managing Director acknowledged that turnaround times for lettings could be improved.

Councillor Dew confirmed that the District Council would seek, by design, to provide a mix of new properties to meet the needs of the elderly and disabled.  He added that, subject to consideration of amended plans, the proposed extra care scheme at Langley Court, St Ives was on target for opening in late 2016.

In terms of the low take up of the grant funded ‘Action on Energy’, Councillor Tysoe acknowledged that  strategic targeting using a variety of communication methods was required to ensure the target of 400 assessments would be met.  As a first step to increase take up and to improve understanding, the Managing Director undertook to produce a briefing note for Members and Parish Councils on the ‘Action on Energy’ scheme.

With regard to refuse collection and whilst noting the performance indicators that had been selected, a Member suggested that the District Council should be seeking to comply with best practice by minimalising waste and setting targets to reduce the amount of refuse collected going to landfill.  The questioner also wished to review the performance of the street cleansing service to establish whether the service was better in towns compared to rural areas.  Councillor Tysoe reported that he was aware of the cost of refuse collection per household and that this compared favourably with other Cambridgeshire authorities.  He indicated his willingness to share this information with the questioner outside the meeting and to vary the performance indicator in future but advised the Panel that contamination was an issue which would require to be investigated before the Council committed to any alternative approach.  Regarding street cleansing and the potential for service level agreements, Councillor Tysoe suggested that this would be a subject he would raise with his Cabinet colleagues.

Having regard to food establishments and the absence of any commentary, the Managing Director undertook to explain in the next quarter how food establishments were being measured and the parameters used to conclude that establishments were ‘broadly compliant’.

Lastly, in terms of disabled facilities grant (DFGs) and having noticed that the annual target had reduced from 238 to 200, the Panel acknowledged that the target reflected the terms of the shared service agreement, and that whilst it would remain the aspiration of the Council to deliver DFGs, there was a limited budget with which to do so.