Agenda item

To consider a report from the Head of Policy and Performance presenting an overview of performance against the priority outcomes relevant to the Scrutiny Board’s portfolio and an analysis of performance indicator results at the end of Quarter 2. 

The Head of Policy and Performance submitted a report providing an overview of performance against the priority outcomes relevant to Environment and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Board including analysis of performance indicator results at the end of Quarter 2 in order that the Board may understand and challenge current performance.

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

·  Councillor L Carter, Executive Member for Neighbourhoods and Housing.

·  Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods.

·  Debra Scott, Head of Service Improvement.

·  Andrew Mason, Chief Environmental Services Officer.

The Chair invited Board Members to comment on those areas of interest within the performance indicators. 

In brief, the main issues raised were:

·  TP-1a – Increase in the number of decent homes.

-  Councillor Dowson requested a further update on the houses currently under appraisal in Chapeltown.

  (In response, the Director agreed to send this information to Councillor   Dowson).

·  TP–1d – Reduce the number of people who are not able to adequately heat their homes.

-    Reference was made to the discontinuation of the Heat Lease Scheme   by ALMOs following criticism by inspectors about the scheme being   inequitable.  However, Members felt that an alternative ‘top up’   scheme should be considered to allow residents to pay towards an   enhanced heating system beyond the expected decency standard.    Clarification was sought on what would happen to existing residents   already part of  the Heat Lease Scheme.

  Members requested that  a report be submitted to this Scrutiny Board   setting out the different schemes available to help address fuel poverty,   including those targeted at the private sector.

·  Improvement Priority – ENV-2b-Increase the amount of waste reused and recycled

-  Members questioned the impact of the recent industrial action on   recycling collection figures.  It was highlighted that whilst the October   figures did not show a significant reduction in the collection of   recyclables, the December and January figures would help to give a   clearer picture of the level of impact. 

  Members therefore requested that these figures be reported back to   the Board. 

  Reference was also made to the poor condition and state of   cleanliness on Black Hill Road, which was a route used by lorries from   Nutramulch Yorkshire Limited Recycling. 

  Members requested that this matter be addressed and brought to the attention of Highway Services.

    Following the strike action, Members sought clarification of how the   efficiency measures now in place would help to increase recycling   rates and noted that where resources were to be freed up, this would be targeted at recycling work.

  Members sought assurances that all street cleansing routes within the   city centre were being covered without the need for overtime. 

  (In response, Andrew Mason,  Chief Environmental Services Officer   agreed to formally report back to the Board on this matter).

  It was also noted that the food waste collection pilot scheme would now   commence in February 2010.

·  Improvement Priority – TP-3a.  Reduce worklessness across the city with

  a focus on deprived areas

  -  Reference was made to the closure of Chapeltown Job Shop and the   lack of communication with Area Management regarding the   circumstances of the closure.

  Members questioned whether the Council had thought about   establishing mobile Job Shops to help target hard to reach areas.

    (In response, the Director informed the meeting that more emphasis   was now placed upon providing outreach work which allows individuals   to access support within their own homes).

  The Board noted the LSC Skills for Success programme and requested   further information regarding the areas being targeted by the   programme and its current success rate.

  Members also sought clarification of the contribution made by   Environment and Neighbourhoods in helping to address the rising   numbers of young people ‘Not in Employment, Education or Training’   (NEETs).  Particular reference was made to the new Future Jobs Fund   programme, which was targeted at long term unemployed people, and   also the work being conducted via the Worklessness Strategic   Outcomes Group.  Whilst acknowledging that Children’s Services was   the lead directorate for delivering the NEET action plan, Members felt   that Environment and Neighbourhoods should be working more closely   with Children’s Services to help deliver this plan.

·  Improvement Priority – TP-2a. Creating safer environment by tackling

  crime

  -  Members suggested that the performance analysis of serious   acquisitive crime should be broken down into areas to highlight the   particular hotspots where there was a greater need for targeted   resources.

  Members also acknowledged the need for greater consistency of police   personnel within areas of the city and particularly those areas with high   crime rates.  It was suggested that such consistency would help the   police to develop a closer working relationship with communities.

·  National Indicators 18, 32, and 34 relating to adult re-offending rates for

  those under probation supervision; repeat incidents of domestic violence;   and domestic violence – murder.

  -  Concerns were raised that there remained data quality issues with the   above indicators.  It was noted that Safer Leeds we progressing with   this issue with the Police and Probation Service.

RESOLVED -  That the report and appendices and the comments now made be noted.