Agenda item

That the contents of the report and appendices be noted and that the Council’s service and financial performance for this period continue to be monitored and challenged.

The Deputy Leader presented the Financial Performance report.

The Leader invited portfolio holders to comment on performance indicators.

Priority 1 – One Council delivering for Local People

Cllr Hutchison reported that food business inspections had been overall completed on time except for June due to staff unavailability which had affected the yearly figure.

The Leader commented that the percentage of complaints processed in good time was slightly below target for quarter 3 and data was awaited for quarter 4. Staff turnover as for itself was meeting the target and was currently going through scrutiny. Finally the total number of online transactions was below target but this wasn’t necessary a bad thing as more information being now available on the website and / or through relevant services meant that people did not need to engage through the process of transactions as often as before.

Priority 2 – A Successful and Sustainable Growing Borough

Cllr Fear thanked the planning section for the hard work put in and reported that in relation to the percentage of complainants informed within the required timescales of actions to be taken about alleged breaches of planning control things were going in the right direction despite having been impacted by work absences and capacity.

Priority 3: Healthy, Active and Safe Communities

Cllr Hutchison reported that the garden waste tonnages were down in December which explained the recycling and composting figures. Work was being done with targeted communications to improve recycling rates.

The Leader asked about street cleanliness and street scene.

Cllr Hutchison responded that a lot of leaves had been blown around in November and December due to the stormy weather which explained the slightly negative trend although the target was still largely met.

Cllr Skelding reported that the number of visitors for the museum collections had also been impacted by the severe weather conditions however it should be noted that these still attracted more than 60,000 people over the course of the year which was an overwhelming achievement. Shows were being put on and the museum was gaining recognition as demonstrated by the Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism Award.

About the Jubilee 2 Customer Satisfaction Net Promotor Score, the national average was 28 which was only just above that of Newcastle. The indicator was currently under review in the view of replacing it with a simpler and more accurate model. The membership growth was well above target.

Cllr Heesom reported on community safety and wellbeing.

Homeless presentation had dropped down for quarter 3 and the Council was working with partners to tackle antisocial behaviour. Crimes were reducing especially in the town centre. Disability grants had reduced to a manageable level and the Vulnerability Hub continued to work with a high number of cases, the current concern being the cold weather.

Priority 4: Town Centres for All

The Leader commented on the healthy figure for footfall and the regeneration projects bringing more people into the town.

The Deputy Leader shared the Leader’s enthusiasm.

Resolved:    That the contents of the report and appendices be noted and that the Council’s service and financial performance for this period continue to be monitored and challenged.

Watch the debate here