Agenda item

To consider a report of the Director of Business Improvement and Operations providing Members with an update on the performance against the Corporate Plan and local service targets.

The Cabinet received and NOTED a report* which provided Members with an update on performance against the Corporate Plan and local service targets for quarter 3 (2022/23). It was highlighted that the performance and risk update had been split into two separate updates because it allowed greater accessibility to the information presented and were structured to align with the Corporate Plan with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) provided. 

The following was discussed:

• There was a preference for numbers alongside Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) rather than percentages only. Officers reassured Members that the way KPIs were presented would be altered so that needs were met.
• Clarification was sought for why sickness rates had increased. The Corporate Manager for People, Governance, and Waste highlighted that this was the first winter without Covid-19 restrictions and was due to Covid-19 and other infections. The Council had offered free flu jabs and encouraged good hygiene practice. Compared to other authorities, this Council had been one of the first to track sickness.
• Regarding regular traders at Tiverton’s Pannier Market, it was mentioned that this KPI would be renamed so that it highlighted the occupancy rate of stalls at the market.
• It was noted that the Council had failed to meet their tree planting targets, however an officer explained that Mid Devon District Council had planted circa 1,192 trees, which in fact exceeded targets. This was achieved at a recent tree planting event, but it was emphasised that with no budget for tree planting grants were heavily relied upon for this to be achieved.
• It was raised that the report had a lot of detail from the previous year, to which Officers confirmed that this would be reviewed.
• A hydro project update was due to take place.
• Whether staff turnover was expected to increase. The Corporate Manager for People, Governance, and Waste explained that the Council was in a challenging situation with public service wages, a high level of vacancies and organisations being able to be more competitive due to hybrid working.
• Regarding housing delivery, it was raised there was an absence of information, with no information for delivery of affordable homes and council homes. It was noted that priority should be given to these KPIs. The Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing explained that there was a housing strategy which sets ambitions for the next 4 years. Progress on strategy delivery had been provided to the Homes Policy Development Group (PDG) and a review was also scheduled in the forward plan for a future PDG under the new administration. Several schemes were in progress with a number of further schemes also planned where even more council homes could be provided. The Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) sets out budget proposals for around 500 council houses to be delivered over the next five-years. It was also highlighted by the Deputy Chief Executive that it had proven difficult to build council houses as it had been unaffordable for the Council, however, with recent changes it was now a more deliverable metric.
• Homelessness was raised and whether the Council could cope with the upward trend. It was explained by the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing that the cost of living was a factor but the team was now fully staffed. Also, the Government Rough Sleeper Initiative funding for homelessness prevention work is now in place so the team is in the best position it could be, but demand continued to grow and this will be under continued review.
• Clarification was sought over the percentages that related to the House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) investigations. The Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing explained the team did not have control over the number of properties requiring investigation and important consideration was that all required investigations were undertaken. Nonetheless, the Deputy Chief Executive reassured that the percentages for these targets could be supplemented with totals. 
• It was raised that the Hydro-dam would be unlikely to be delivered due to the nature of the river.
• In relation to Tiverton’s Pannier Market it was asked whether more support could be given to Tiverton’s Pannier Market. The Deputy Chief Executive explained that support was given.

Note: *report previously circulated and attached to the minutes