Agenda item

To consider a report by the Head of Policy, Performance and Improvement presenting the key areas of under performance at the end of Quarter 2 (1^st July to 30^th September 2007).

The Head of Policy, Performance and Improvement submitted a report presenting the key areas of under performance at the end of Quarter 2 (1^st July to 30^th September 2007).

Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods was in attendance and responded to Members’ questions and comments.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

·  The need for assurances that the service provided by the Council with regard to abandoned vehicles will continue after NRA funding ceases in March 2008. (In response, the Director informed the meeting that any opportunities to access external funding would be maximised.  The Board was also informed that the Department’s budget submission would include funding elements for this service area.)

·  An explanation as to why the Council has problems with Police resources when dealing with abandoned vehicles and whether these resources will  improve in the near future.  (In response, the Director informed the meeting that he would like to investigate this matter further and will supply Members with this information). 

·  An explanation as to why the contract for the removal of abandoned vehicles had been awarded to a company based in Doncaster rather than a Leeds based contractor.  (In response the Director informed the meeting that the contract had been tendered through the Procurement Unit with contract conditions specifying response times.  It was further highlighted to the Board that there had been a significant improvement in response times, which had reduced from eight days to 3½ hours).

·  Clarification on the various performance figures relating to decency standards. (In response, the Director informed the meeting that, while  the component (rather than the whole house) approach to undertake the works was generally regarded as being more efficient, this was likely to impact on the performance indicator – with performance seemingly remaining static, until the final components had been completed.)

·  Clarification on concerns around ‘addressing domestic violence’. (In response, the Director informed the meeting that the increased actions against perpetrators was expected to encourage more women to come forward but across West Yorkshire there had been a fall in reported incidents of domestic violence.  The Director also informed the meeting that he would investigate this matter further and will supply Members with this information).  

·  Concern was expressed that some households still do not have access to kerbside collection of recyclables and that Leeds’ performance only ranked 4^th when compared to other Core City comparators. Members also expressed some concern that households may eventually end up with a total of four bins for collection. (In response, the Director informed the meeting of the Council’s successful (brown bin) pilot scheme which will be extended to include other areas of the city, with an anticipated city-wide roll out during 2008/09 and 2009/10.  The Director also highlighted that it was important to recognise that in some instances different solutions were needed to meet specific/ individual need.) 

·  Members expressed concern at the lack of performance information in relation to dealing with anti-social behaviour.  (In response, the Director informed the meeting that there were no national figures on anti-social behaviour but  that the department does keep records of the figures on how many inquiries the Council receives and what action is taken. It was indicated that these figures could be made available to Members).

The Chair thanked the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods for his attendance.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

(b)  That the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods be requested to supply Board Members with the:

(i)   Performance information in relation to anti-social behaviour; and,

(ii)   Outcome of the further investigation into the level of Police   resources dealing with abandoned vehicles.

(Note:  Councillor C Beverley arrived at the meeting at approximately

10.20 a.m. during consideration of the above item.)