Agenda item

To consider the Council’s Corporate Performance for Quarter 4 (January – March 2024) of 2023/24.

The Executive considered a report in respect of Corporate Performance for Quarter 4 of 2023/24 providing the final update on delivery of the Future Town, Future Council Corporate Plan using both quantitative and qualitative information to provide a complete picture of how the Council was performing.

It was noted that in July, the Cabinet would be presented with the Annual Report, which sets out the Council’s performance across the entire year.

Members were pleased to note that the regeneration of play spaces would include play equipment for all, including children with additional needs, allowing all families to access the spaces to play together.

In relation to the reduction in flytipping cases, a Member asked if a contributary factor could be the increase in opening hours of the Household Recycling Centre.

It was RESOLVED:

1.            That the service performance against 34 corporate performance measures and delivery of key milestones in Quarter 4 2023/24 through the Future Town Future Council Programme (Appendix A) be noted.

2.            That the performance challenges in relation to voids (section 4.4.3) be noted, and the planned measures to improve performance be endorsed.

3.            That delegated authority for approval of all new and existing Housing policies in response to the RSH Consumer Standards and following consultation with the appropriate Portfolio Holder (section 4.6.1) be given to an Officer (Strategic Director). 

4.            That the Council’s performance as demonstrated through the 12 Community Measures (Appendix B) be noted.

5.            That the strategic risk updates (section 4.8) be noted.

The Executive considered a report in respect of Corporate Performance for Quarter 4 of 2023/24 providing the final update on delivery of the Future Town, Future Council Corporate Plan using both quantitative and qualitative information to provide a complete picture of how the Council was performing.

It was noted that in July, the Cabinet would be presented with the Annual Report, which sets out the Council’s performance across the entire year. This would be accompanied by the new performance suite for 2024/25, which was aligned with the new making Stevenage Even Better (MSEB) Corporate Plan.

Members were advised that also in July, the Cabinet would receive the findings of the Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSM) perception survey and management data.  In addition, the Annual Complaints Performance and Service Improvement Report, which will include the annual self-assessment against the Housing Ombudsman Service revised Complaints Handling Code would also be submitted for consideration.

The Chief Executive then gave a presentation summarising Quarter 4 performance highlighting FTFC related achievements and performance in relation to the 12 Community Measures as selected by Members.

The Chief Executive advised that there were 12 green measures, 2 amber and 3 red.  In relation to the red indicators, it was noted that:

·         Number of Private Homes – 35 provided against a target of 50 – The Courtlands scheme had been delayed due to prolonged adverse weather and unplanned works to divert electricity cables.  It was now anticipated that the handover would take place in Quarter 2 2024/25;

·         Percentage of Homes for which legionella risk assessments have been carried out – 96.65% against a target of 100%.  This followed the introduction of new Technical Guidance published by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) which effectively widened the Compliance Team’s work programme beyond Independent Living Schemes. It was noted that the Council was now back to 100% compliance.

·         Number of Voids returned by Contractor – 135 against a target of 173.  The planned move away from a single contractor had improved the performance and the Voids Improvement plan would be presented to Cabinet in July

The Chief Executive reported on some of the FTFC Performance Highlights and Community Measures as follows:

·         Transforming Our Town – a wide range of school and community engagement undertaken conducted through outreach and town centre tours; enabling works on SG1 Plot A (Swingate House); public realm works were completed for the Marshgate Biotech scheme including 44 car parking spaces.

·         More Social and Good Quality Affordable Housing – 12 homes had been delivered through the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF); 88 homes delivered to conclude in Phase 1 of the Kenilworth Close Scheme.

·         Co-operative Neighbourhoods – the SBC Making Stevenage Even Better Corporate Plan had been agreed at the Council meeting in February 2024; £25,000 had been allocated to five priority neighbourhood centres.

·         Balancing the Budget – digital service improvements including commercial waste bookings, Stevenage Day bookings and an increase in online transactions.

·         A Clean, Green, Safe and Thriving Town – new EV charging facilities installed in 7 neighbourhood centres; Cycle hire scheme to be launched in July 2024; Climate Community Change Fund completed with a total of 8 projects approved; ongoing support for the Herts Sports and Physical Activity Partnership;

·         Anti-Social Behaviour – a 50% decrease in ASB cases in comparison to the same period last year; 16 cases of flytipping compared to 167 cases in the same period last year; additional flytipping deterrents.

·         Climate Change and Provision and Maintenance of Homes – 58% of housing stock had an EPC rating of C or above; 495 new homes since 2014 against a target of 485.

·         Good Local Services – over 20,000 visits from children to SBC’s Everyone Active managed facilities; 91.9% of complaints responded to within deadline; 99.67% of residential bins collected.

Members were pleased to note that the regeneration of play spaces would include play equipment for all, including children with additional needs, allowing all families to access the spaces to play together.

In relation to the reduction in flytipping cases, a Member suggested that a contributary factor could be the increase in opening hours of the Household Recycling Centre.

It was RESOLVED:

1.            That the service performance against 34 corporate performance measures and delivery of key milestones in Quarter 4 2023/24 through the Future Town Future Council Programme (Appendix A) be noted.

2.            That the performance challenges in relation to voids (section 4.4.3) be noted, and the planned measures to improve performance be endorsed.

3.            That delegated authority for approval of all new and existing Housing policies in response to the RSH Consumer Standards and following consultation with the appropriate Portfolio Holder (section 4.6.1) be given to an Officer (Strategic Director). 

4.            That the Council’s performance as demonstrated through the 12 Community Measures (Appendix B) be noted.

5.            That the strategic risk updates (section 4.8) be noted.

Reason for Decision: As contained within the report

Other Options considered:As contained within the report