Agenda item

Report of the Partnerships and Performance Section Head

This report provides the results of the performance measures identified for Watford Borough Council’s in house services for Quarter 3 2015/16.

The Scrutiny Committee received a report of the Partnerships and Performance Section Head setting out the results of the performance measures for the in-house services for Quarter 3 in 2015/16.

The Partnerships and Performance Section Head highlighted some of the key points within the report.  She mentioned that the planning service would be reviewing its indicators as those contained within the report were national indicators.

CS7 – Number of people sleeping rough on a single night within the area of the local authority

Councillor Crout asked for clarification of ‘rough sleepers’, as he had heard that people were not counted unless they were prostrate.

The Partnerships and Performance Section Head advised that the person was counted if they were ‘bedding down’ for the night – this did not mean they had to be lying down necessarily .  The national count always took place in November.  However New Hope undertook regular counts and the numbers varied considerably over the year.

Councillor Rindl commented that her husband had taken part in the count this year.  It was always carried out at the same time of the year.  During the summer there could be more people sleeping rough.

Affordable homes

Councillor S Williams noted the Regeneration and Development performance measures and asked whether a record was kept of the total number of affordable properties.

The Partnerships and Performance Section Head explained that CS3, affordable homes on identified sites, made reference to the number of properties on individual schemes.  She cautioned that in some cases developers did look for ways they could avoid affordable housing requirements.  They were known to state that schemes would not be viable if they were required to include the specified amount of affordable units.

CS2 Improved street and environmental cleanliness

Councillor Joynes commented that she was aware of an ongoing fly tipping matter on a service road in her ward, just off St Albans Road.

The Committee and Scrutiny Officer advised that she had witnessed fly tipping on a service road off St Albans Road.  She had reported it to the relevant officer.  The service road was not classed as public highway and therefore there were restrictions on the Council’s ability to clear the waste.  However, if there was a risk of vermin the Council had powers to be able to go on to the private road and clear the rubbish.

Councillor Khan suggested that a scrutiny could be carried out on the subject of unadopted roads.  The Committee and Scrutiny Officer responded that the Councillor was welcome to submit an application.

CS5 Number of private sector units secured for use under HomeLet

Councillor Martins noted the new landlord incentive package.  He asked how the Council managed the landlords and tenants.  In his opinion people living in rented accommodation did not have regard to their local community.  He questioned how the Council monitored those who had entered into a contract.

The Partnerships and Performance Section Head reported that a HomeLet survey had been carried out, however, there had been very little response.  If people had a positive experience they were more likely to continue letting their accommodation through HomeLet.  If someone had a bad experience they were less likely to carry on.

Councillor Martins felt that the Council should not be ‘soft’ with the landlords.  He suggested that if Ward Councillors were aware of the HomeLet properties, the councillors would be able to check them.

CS9 Long waits for calls received to CSC

Following a question from Councillor Rindl, the Partnerships and Performance Section Head confirmed that the arrow should have pointed upwards, as the trend was moving in the right direction.

The Partnerships and Performance Section Head added that she had received the results for CS12, average waiting times in the CSC for Revenues and Benefits enquiries.  The information would be circulated after the meeting.

RESOLVED –

1.      that the performance of the Council’s performance measures for those areas where the Council directly delivers the service / area of work at the end of Quarter 3 2015/16 be noted.

2.      that the information regarding the average waiting times in the CSC for Revenues and Benefits enquiries be circulated to the Scrutiny Committee.