Decision details

The Scrutiny Committee received a report of the Partnerships and Performance Section Head which provided the Quarter 1 2015/16 results for the performance measures for in-house services.

The Partnerships and Performance Section Head advised that she had contacted the Customer Services Section Head for the outstanding results related to the waiting times in the Customer Service Centre for Revenues and Benefits enquiries. The service had originally provided the waiting times for responding to telephone calls.  There continued to be concerns about the availability of temporary accommodation, including placement into the private sector.  The number of households living in temporary accommodation had stabilised.  There was expected to be a pressure on councils across the country when the refugees arrived in the country.

CS4 – Number of households living in temporary accommodation

Councillor Rindl noted the comment that this measure had stabilised during this quarter.  She asked how Watford compared with other areas.

The Partnerships and Performance Section Head suggested that if Watford was compared to other local authorities in Hertfordshire it would not compare very well.  It was more likely that Watford would be comparable to London Boroughs or Luton.

The Committee and Scrutiny Officer added that the Interim Housing Section Head had reported to the Scrutiny Committee at its last meeting and some information had been provided.  She would check the report and advise Members.

Following a question from Councillor S Williams, the Partnerships and Performance Section Head stated that the figure related to households and not individuals.  It was suggested that a definition of ‘household’ should be provided.  the Committee and Scrutiny Officer commented that she would ask whether the information would be broken down further.

CS5 – Number of private sector units secured for use under HomeLet

In response to a question from Councillor Rindl, the Partnerships and Performance Section Head advised that a review of HomeLet was being undertaken as part of a wider project being carried out into solutions for temporary accommodation in Watford. 

Councillor Rindl said that she had spoken to Joy Hobbs from the Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Partnership about this matter.  She had advised of a scheme organised by Social Services.  They placed people in properties which other people were happy to let to the service.  It was cheaper than bed and breakfast and the rent was paid direct to the landlord.

The Partnerships and Performance Section Head informed Members that a survey had been carried out and the results had shown that where people had a bad experience letting their properties through the scheme, they were less willing to do so in the future.

The Chair stated that she had spoken to Watford Community Housing Trust about getting empty accommodation back into use.  She added that one issue was that Housing Benefit was not paid direct to the landlord.  It had to be paid to the tenant unless they agreed for the rent to be paid to the landlord.

The Partnerships and Performance Section Head explained that the Interim Housing Section Head was looking at short term solutions and the Council’s role in the long term.  Unfortunately there were no quick solutions to this matter.

CS6 – Number of households in bed and breakfast accommodation and nightly lets who are pregnant/with dependent children

Councillor Joynes asked whether officers were able to advise whether distances to schools was taken into account when deciding where to place families.

The Partnerships and Performance Section Head explained that the accommodation was not always within Watford’s boundary.

Staff sickness

The Chair noted that staff sickness levels were no longer reported to Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Members were advised that the performance measures were reported to Outsourced Services Scrutiny Panel.  There were varying views about which scrutiny committee should receive the information.  The Partnerships and Performance Section Head felt that as Watford Borough Council was the lead authority there was a case for it to be reported to Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  The opposing theory was that it was still part of the Shared Services Agreement and should therefore be reported to Outsourced Services Scrutiny Panel.

The Partnerships and Performance Section Head commented that due to the future changes to ICT provision, some parts of that service may be delivered by Watford Borough Council.  Further clarification would be sought.

RESOLVED –

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 1 2015/16 and Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s comments be noted.