The Executive considered a report in respect of Corporate Performance for Quarter 3 of 2023/24 (October to December 2023).
In response to a Member’s comment about speeding up the turnaround on voids, the Chief Executive stated that the Senior Leadership Team was focussed on driving better performance in this area and that he welcomed any further suggestions from Members concerning potential improvements which could be made.
In reply to a Member question about lessons learnt from other stock-holding Councils regarding the turnaround on voids, the Chief Executive advised that conversation were held regularly with ARCH (Association of Retained Council Housing) and other Councils. The Portfolio Holder for Housing & Housing Development stated that resourcing in this area, both in relation to securing/retaining Trade staff and, in some instances, specific materials, was a national problem. The Chief Executive was hopeful that the multiple contractor approach would improve voids turnaround, but in any event officers would continue to investigate other opportunities too.
In response to a Member’s request, the Chief Executive agreed to arrange for figures to be provided showing how the number of right to buy properties sold by the Council in recent years compared with the 401 new properties built by the Council (ie. the net effect on the total housing stock).
It was RESOLVED:
1. That the service performance against 35 corporate performance measures and delivery of key milestones in Quarter 3 2023/24 through the Future Town Future Council Programme (as set out in Appendix A to the report) be noted.
2. That the Council’s performance, as demonstrated through the 13 Community Measures (set out in Appendix B to the report), be noted.
3. That the performance challenges in relation to voids (Section 4.4.2 of the report) be noted, and the planned measures to improve performance be endorsed.
4. That the strategic risk updates (Section 4.8 of the report) be noted.
Reason for Decision: As contained in report.
Other Options considered: As contained in report.