Agenda item

Report of the Associate Director of Customer and Corporate Services, Delivery Support Lead, Intelligence, Performance and Improvement Lead

Cabinet received a report of the Associate Director of Customer and Corporate Services, Delivery Support Lead and the Intelligence, Performance and Improvement Lead which provided the update of performance for the first quarter of 2023/24 covering:

·        The Council Plan 2022-26 and Delivery Plan 2022-24;

·        Key performance indicators for Q1 of 2023/24;

·        Key corporate strategies.

            The Mayor introduced the report and thanked the officers for their work in compiling the information.  He noted some of the highlights including:

·        The new car club launching in the autumn.

·        The continuing improvements to the River Colne.

·        The completion of the new crematorium.

·        The launch of the Watford Lottery.

            The Mayor invited Councillor Watkin to provide additional information about the key performance indicators. 

            Councillor Watkin stated that the key performance indicators were critical to the management and oversight of the council.  The community was able to see quickly and clearly the council’s commitments.  They provided an overall impression that the council understood where it was and how it was progressing.  The results showed the council was a well-run authority.  He wished to credit the Associate Director of Customer and Corporate Services and his team for their work.

            The Mayor noted that the report would also be presented to Overview and Scrutiny later in the month.  He asked the officers about the satisfaction rate for the website.

            The Associate Director explained that this was often the contact channel which attracted the lowest satisfaction rating.  The team reviewed the results of the satisfaction rates and found that usually the comments related to statutory processes and services rather than the website’s content.  However, if there were any comments about the website content, these were referred to the web team for resolution.

            Councillor Bell commented on the increase in numbers accommodated in temporary accommodation.  He asked whether the council had sufficient resources to manage the increase.  He also asked about the green investment bond scheme.  In addition, he referred to the number of indicators that were now red.

            The Mayor responded that the report provided explanations for the changes in rating; some required a marginal shift to move them from a green to red rating.  He invited Councillor Pattinson to respond about the Housing service.

            Councillor Pattinson explained that the increase in the numbers being accommodated in temporary accommodation was as a direct result of the cost-of-living crisis.  The Housing service had just been through a restructure to ensure it was able to support people in crisis.

            Councillor Stotesbury responded to the questions about the green investment bond scheme.  He confirmed that the council did not intend to explore the bonds locally at this time.  However, the council would offer support packages where it could and apply for grants when appropriate.  He added that when the time was right there would be a platform where residents could get involved in the green agenda.

            The Mayor thanked everyone for their comments and asked Cabinet to vote on the recommendations in the officer’s report.

            RESOLVED –

1.         that Cabinet notes the progress updates within the report relating to:

·        The Council Plan 2022-26 and Delivery Plan 2022-24 (Appendix A)

·        The key performance indicator results for Quarter 1 of 2023/24 (Appendix B)

·        The council’s key corporate strategies (Appendix C)

2.         that the report be presented to Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 20 September 2023.