Agenda item

Performance Monitoring for the Third Quarter of 2020/21.

Minutes:

Neal Barton, Policy and Performance Manager introduced the report noting that 77% of indicators were on or above target. He acknowledged the continuing implication of the pandemic on the delivery of Council services, noting the increased demand on Environmental Health, Revenues and Benefits and Land Charges teams. The Assistant Chief Executive confirmed that teams have managed well with existing capacity and the Council continues to monitor the impact to ensure it is agile and flexible in terms of supporting staff.

 

Members discussed the number of Freedom of Information requests received and the work carried out in order to pre-empt requests and provide information on the Council’s website. Members also discussed the collection of rents, acknowledging the difficult time faced by businesses as a result of the pandemic. The Head of Corporate Resources confirmed that the Council is working with tenants to provide assistance where required and although there is a slight shortfall in collection, the focus is on supporting businesses so that they remain in place.

 

Discussion was held on waste collection, including issues around the collection of litter along country roads, and the impact of Christmas tree and electrical items collection on recycling performance. Further analysis is required on the effect that electrical items recycling may have on overall collection figures. Members noted the impact that the pandemic has had on the building control teams workload, and on wellbeing interventions. A Member highlighted the positive feedback received from those who have benefitted from wellbeing sessions.

 

Members commented on the footfall information collected in 3 towns and 5 of the largest villages, and at the Orchards shopping centre. It was noted that footfall was noticeably cyclical in line with the pandemic lockdowns, and that in some instances the villages were seeing higher footfall as people shopped locally. A Member commented that a comparison to other shopping centres may be useful for the Committee to consider.

 

Discussion was held on the provision of Gypsy and Traveller sites within the District. The Assistant Chief Executive noted that the Council is working hard to bring forward sufficient provision to meet the need and will continue to do so through improving existing sites, and through the Northern Arc development and the District Plan review.

 

Discussion was also held on the full fibre project and connectivity issues faced by rural villages. It was agreed to provide a written answer to a query on the difference between the Local Full Fibre Network (LFFN) and Converged Fibre Connectivity Project. The Leader noted that work continues to lay over 2500m of cable each week to create a dark fibre network backbone which will allow service providers to offer full fibre to businesses and home users. The Council has secured LEP funding for branches out of this main spur and the aspiration is to extend out to towns and villages over time as it is the single biggest thing that can assist with the uplift of the local economy in the District. He noted that a wider communication on the project will be provided to all Members in due course.

 

The Chairman took Members to the recommendations contained in the report which were agreed unanimously. 

 

RESOLVED

 

The Committee:

 i)         Noted the Council’s performance and progress with Council Priority Projects          in the third quarter of the year and identified any areas where further reporting      or information is required; and

(ii)        Agreed to advise the Cabinet of any issues that the Committee considers should be given.

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