Agenda item

This report presents an update on the council’s key performance indicators as at the end of quarter 3 2012/13 (October - December) as well as other performance measures identified and agreed by Committee for scrutiny during 2012/13.

The Scrutiny Committee received a report of the Partnerships and Performance Section Head setting out the Key Performance Indicators and the third quarter performance measures for 2012/13.  The Partnerships and Performance Section Head highlighted some of the key aspects of the report. 

HR1 – Sickness absence

Councillor Bell noted the comment regarding the increase in short term sickness and asked whether this was occurring in particular departments, for example Benefits.

The Partnerships and Performance Section Head responded that musculoskeletal problems and surgery were some of the main causes for absence.  For those officers working outside at this time of year colds were a common cause.  Norovirus had been recorded as a reason for sickness during the third quarter.

CS13 – Number of households living in temporary accommodation

Councillor Bell noted the increase in the number of households in temporary accommodation and asked for an explanation.  He was also aware that households should not be placed in bed and breakfast accommodation for longer than one month.

The Partnerships and Performance Section Head explained that the Council ensured that households were not placed in bed and breakfast accommodation for longer than six weeks, the statutory period.  This could, however, have an impact on the number of households in temporary accommodation.  The availability of permanent accommodation and new build had an impact.

Benefits’ Performance

Following a question from Councillor Bell, the Partnerships and Performance Section Head advised that the service’s performance was on an upward trajectory.  She would contact the Head of Revenues and Benefits for the latest information.

Councillor Khan added that the Shared Services Joint Committee had been provided with figures which showed the number of days taken to process claims was going down.  He informed Members that the transference of information on to the Atlas system had skewed some of the data.  A possible solution was for the service to purchase a piece of software.

The Committee and Scrutiny Officer advised that she would email the link to the Shared Services Joint Committee’s information on the Council’s website.

CS17 – Number of private sector units secured for use

The Chair asked for further information on the work the Council was doing with private sector landlords.  The Partnerships and Performance Section Head advised that she would obtain details and circulate it to the Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Hastrick felt that one concern private landlords might have was that in the future Housing benefits would be paid directly to the tenant and not the landlord.

The Chair thanked the Partnerships and Performance Section Head for her report and said that she had noted some good results in this quarter. 

The Partnerships and Performance Section Head advised that she would provide the final quarter update at the next meeting.  It could also be reported where the performance data for the services to be transferred to Three Rivers would be presented.

RESOLVED –

1.      that the Scrutiny Committee’s comments on the performance of the council’s key performance indicators for 2012/13 at the end of quarter 3 be noted.

2.      that the Scrutiny Committee’s comments on the additional performance measures at the end of quarter 3 be noted.

3.      that the requested information be circulated to the Scrutiny Committee.