Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Resources and Housing and the Director of Communities and Environment, which presents a summary of 2020/21 performance data and provides an update on progress in delivering the relevant priorities in the Best Council Plan.

The report of the Directors of Resources and Communities, Housing & Environment provided a summary of performance against the strategic priorities for the council and city and other performance areas relevant to the Environment, Housing and Communities Scrutiny Board. The report also provided an update on progress in delivering the council priorities in line with the Best Council Plan and covered quarter 4 (Year-End) Performance.

In attendance for this item were:

·  Cllr Harland – Executive Member Communities

·  Cllr Rafique – Executive Member Environment and Housing

·  Cllr Hayden – Executive Member Infrastructure and Climate Change

·  James Rogers - Director of Communities, Housing & Environment

·  Tim Rollett - Intelligence and Policy Manager

·  Adam Crampton - Head of Property management

·  Nahim Ruhi-Khan - Head of Strategy and Investment

·  Sean Flesher – Chief Officer, Parks and Countryside

·  Gerard Tinsdale - Chief Officer, Housing

·  Kate Morris - Head of Transport Planning

·  John Woolmer – Chief Officer Environmental Services Communities, Housing & Environment

Members discussions focussed on the following matters:

·  Temporary accommodation

·  Adaptations - Members were of the view that listing adaptations by ward variation and estate variation may provide better information.

·  Unauthorised Encampments.

·  Service charges for tower blocks.

·  Re-let times and disrepairs.

·  Housing Benefit expenditure. It was noted that the service can differentiate between council house and private claims if need a breakdown. In relation to the Welfare Rights Team Cllr Ritchie asked the Board to note the “first class” service the officers provide.

·  Bin collection rates including concerns in relation to the assisted collection service.

·  Residential parking permits and inappropriate parking in residential areas.

·  Leeds Park Standard and information in relation to weed spraying.

Responding to questions from Members the Board was provided with the following information:

·  There are fewer than 40 instances of temporary accommodation being used in the city. However, numbers using temporary accommodation had seen a significant rise to between 240-250 at one point during the pandemic. Use of temporary accommodation in Leeds is substantially lower than other cities.

·  The adaptions service has had reduced capacity due to Covid, but it was hoped that the service would be back on track by the end of this financial year.

·  Prior to the pandemic, work had started to look for new sites for gypsy and travellers in the city. This work had now re-started and officers would be speaking with ward members.

·  Information would be sought in relation to service charges and a written update provided.

·  Void numbers had increased due to the pandemic and difficulties accessing the required materials. The Board discussed pressures on global supply chains for materials such as composite doors and plaster. However, as the restrictions start to be lifted work has now started up again. It was noted that tenants were able to check on repairs to void properties. The service was also looking to allow new tenants into properties whilst works are undertaken.

·  Significant work is being undertaken to address repairs but as noted, there have been difficulties in accessing materials. This has caused a rise in complaints in relation to repairs. It was also noted that a new contract with Mears for the west had been agreed and is due to start in July. Members were advised that this would not be a continuation of the contract with Mears and that a briefing note would be provided to Members setting out the specification changes of the contract.

·  Members were advised of a move away from the annual visits to council homes towards an online ‘check in’ service. However, should concerns be raised with a tenancy, an officer would visit the property.

·  It was acknowledged that there had been issues with bin collections including assisted bin collections. The refuse service has faced challenges through the pandemic with a reduced workforce, vehicles out of service for deep clean, temporary staff not familiar with routes and end of day reporting on missed streets. However, the service has set up a project team reviewing routes, prioritising improvements to end of day reporting and using back up crews to try and collect missed streets within 48 hours.

·  Clarity was provided on criteria for residents parking permits. It was noted that these schemes were not reviewed, they were assessed and if no issues were raised the scheme remained in place.

·  It was noted that Parks and Countryside had been unable to supply floral displays across the city due to the restrictions of the pandemic and reduced staffing. However, assurance was given that floral displays will be re-instated when the restrictions allow.

·  Data could be provided in relation to the Leeds Park Standard and suggestions in relation to repairs to equipment and facilities could be provided as additional information to the report.

The Chair thanked all those who had attended for this item and said that the work which had gone into providing the report was appreciated by the Board.

RECOMMENDED – To

a) Note the Quarter 4 performance information contained in the

Appendices to this report and the issues which have been highlighted and consider if they wish to undertake further scrutiny work to support improvement over the coming year in any of these areas.

b) Note that the Best Council Plan (BCP) sets out the council’s key objectives and priorities. This report provides an overview of the relevant Environment, Housing and Communities performance relating to this plan, enabling the Scrutiny Board to consider and challenge the council’s performance.