Agenda item

To consider a report from the Head of Policy, Performance and Improvement on performance information for Quarter 1 2009/10.

The Head of Policy, Performance and Improvement submitted a report presenting the key areas of under performance at the end of Quarter 1

(1^st April – 30^th June 2009).

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents:

·  Appendix 1 – Environment & Neighbourhoods 2009/10 – Quarter 1

·  Appendix 2 – Updated 2008/09 Year End Results

The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments:

·  Councillor J Monaghan, Executive Member for Environmental Services

·  Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods

·  Andrew Mason, Chief Environmental Services Officer

·  Paul Langford, Chief Housing Services Officer

·  Superintendent Simon Whitehead, Leeds Area Community Safety

An apology for absence was conveyed on behalf of Councillor J L Carter, Executive Member for Neighbourhoods & Housing.

The Chair informed Officers that Steve Clough, Head of Policy, Performance and Improvement Team had attended the pre-meeting to give Members a brief overview of the Quarter 1 performance data.

The Chair invited Board Members to comment on those areas of specific interest within the performance indicators.  A general discussion ensued around the Council’s performance for reducing residual household waste with references made to the fortnightly SORT pilot;  the preparations in place for the food waste collection pilot and plans for future residual waste facilities.  It was also noted that a report was due to be considered by the Executive Board in October around improving the recycling infrastructure.

In brief, the main issues raised were:-

·  BP-05C – Rent collection by the Local Authority as a proportion of rents owed on Housing Revenue Account (HRA) dwellings.

-  Members sought clarification of the difficulties in getting the 1% increase   in order to achieve the 97.50% target.  In acknowledging that a   provisional target was still to be agreed, Members also questioned   whether ALMOs would be seeking to reduce this target.

  (In response, Paul Langford, Chief Housing Services Officer, informed   the meeting that in view of the current economic climate, the current   performance was considered to be positive.  However, every effort was   being made to encourage ALMOs to push to achieve a good   performance rate.  Ongoing work was progressing with the ALMOs   to   understand the impact of the current economic climate and what   effect this was having on rent collection.    The department are now   looking at best practice from other local authorities within the region that   had achieved positive results in rent collection. 

·  NI16 – Serious acquisitive crime rate

-  Members sought clarification on the figures relating to the acquisitive   crime rate.

  (In response, Superintendent Simon Whitehead, Leeds Area Community   Safety explained that this particular indicator takes account of a number   of different offences which make up the serious acquisitive crime rate.    Whilst domestic burglary offences had recorded the biggest increase (up   30%) it was noted that these figures had now started to fall as a result   of more intensive management programmes and improved data sharing   mechanisms).

·  NI152 – Working age people on out of work benefits

  -  Members expressed concern over the six month time lag for receiving   the Department of Works & Pensions (DWP) data. 

  (In response, Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods   explained that the Council collates its own local intelligence data but   the   Data Commission only recognised the official figures produced by the   DWP in the performance indicators.  The Director informed the meeting   that that he had no problem with  future performance reports making   reference to this additional local data as part of the commentary.

  The Board requested that they receive monthly unemployment figures,   for both male and female unemployed and, broken down into Council   wards .

·  PI LKI-HAS4 – Number of homeless acceptances made in the year

  -  Members requested further details of the homeless prevention work   being undertaken by the Council. 

   (In response, Paul Langford, Chief Housing Services Officer gave a brief   update and agreed to provide information about the approach taken by   the Council).

·  NI158 - % non-decent council homes

-  Clarification was sought on whether the figures included houses currently under appraisal, with particular reference made to housing   within the Chapletown area.  

  (In response, Paul Langford, Chief Housing Services Officer explained that such housing would be included in the figures pending the   conclusion of the appraisal).

·  NI 32 – Repeat incidents of domestic violence

  -  Members noted that a baseline figure had not been included for this   indicator and requested that this be rectified.

·  NI 184 – Food establishments broadly compliant with food hygiene law

  -  It was noted that the Council had successfully applied for a £33,000   grant from the Food Standards Agency to assist businesses in   completing their Food Safety Management Plan to comply with the new   law.

·  NI 28 / NI 29 – Knife crime rate and Gun crime rate

-  Whilst the Board acknowledged that both of these indicators were new and that datasets had only recently been pulled together, Members   requested that comparative data be provided to the Board to illustrate   the recent trends in performance.

The Chair thanked Councillor Monaghan and Officers for their attendance.

RESOLVED - 

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

(b)  That the Director of Environment & Neighbourhoods be requested to provide the Board with monthly unemployment figures, for both male and female unemployed and, broken down into Council wards .

(c)  That the Chief Housing Services Officer provide Board Members with   further information on the Council’s homeless prevention work.

(d)  That this Scrutiny Board notes, with sadness, the sudden death of Jas Panesar, East North East Homes and wishes to place on record their sincere appreciation for his past services to the Authority.

Note:  (a)   Councillor M Rafique joined the meeting at 10.10 a.m. during    discussions on the above item.

(b)  Councillor J Jarosz joined the meeting at 10.50 a.m. during discussions on the above item.

(c)  During consideration of NI 184 Food establishments indicated above, Councillor G Hyde declared a personal interest in his capacity as a member of the Licensing Committee.