Agenda item

The Chair informed new members that the Committee would typically be going through the Performance indicators in red but they were welcome to ask questions about any indicators.

The Deputy Leader introduced the report.

Cllr Stubbs wished to thank the author of the report for flagging the Kidsgrove Town Deal as amber. The specifics would be discussed in the next item.

The Chair moved on to the indicators themselves.

Food business inspections completed on time - ID1.2

The Deputy Leader advised that the Quarter 2 drop was due to staff absence and the person had now been replaced.

Stage 1 complaints processed in time being 20 working days - ID1.16

The Deputy Leader commented that what was lost earlier in the year was being recovered.

Percentage of Council Tax collected - ID1.11

The Deputy Leader said that the figure had caught up to 97.4% further to people paying out later which he felt was reasonable.

Cllr Waring asked for clarification that the target was for the whole of the year, not just the end of March.

The Deputy Leader responded that the figure related to the year ending at the end of March however work had been done since then to catch up.

Cllr Stubbs suggested that this meant this was taken off the following year’s figure and asked if the Council had responded to the current government review on Council tax, as well as which effects were to be expected regarding the collection rates.

The Service Director for Finance (S151 Officer) advised that the consultation was still open and the team was working on drafting a response. In relation to the collection rates, many variables were at stake that could impact people’s circumstances and make them likely to e.g. pay or not pay. It was thought that the changes were not likely to massively impact the collection rates however the Council would monitor any effects as well as the results of the consultation and adjust the target as required for the following year.

Cllr Whieldon asked if Cllr Stubbs could elaborate on how, why and when the changes would impact residents of the borough.

Cllr Stubbs said that the rules on Council tax collection and recovery of debt were very strict compared to, for example, the process a business would have to go through to get their money back for unpaid invoices, ten times longer. The consultation seemed to be looking into relaxing those rules which may lead to abuses.

The Policy and Strategy Business Manager advised that as more and more information and guidance were being put on the website, the need for people to fill in a form to ask a question had reduced. Examples for which residents would previously submit an enquiry included the definition of a tidy allotment garden and the conditions required to make a noise complaint.

Materials collected for recycling and composting verified via WDF - ID1.4a

The Deputy Leader commented that despite the slight dip the Council remained one of the most performant authorities in Staffordshire and well above the 44% national recycling rate with flexible plastic and film being now recycled along with cartons.

Cllr Waring added that manufacturers were also trying to reduce the amount of packaging leading to less material needing to be recycled.

Cllr Stubbs wondered if the current charge on garden waste may not discourage some family to recycle.

Car parking usage - Number of tickets purchased - ID4.1

The Deputy Leader advised that the car parking usage was current fluctuating with all ongoing works in the town centre.

The Deputy Chief Executive said that less visitors meant less car parking tickets being sold, the town centre footfall being also below target.

Cllr Stubbs asked about potential changes to the targets to be more relevant to the actual situation.

The Deputy Leader responded that the high targets had been set for the previous year and some may not be achievable, which the team was looking into.

The Policy and Strategy Business Manager advised that there was a business planning process for priority delivery plans. Service directors reviewed performance and a value for money exercise was being undertaken. The targets were then discussed with the Leadership team and Cabinet.

Cllr Stubbs suggested that the Committee could be involved in scrutinizing changes in performance targets going forward before the start of the financial year – clarifying that he did not mean for the Committee to set the targets themselves.

Cllr Waring commented that the targets should remain consistent year to year to give an accurate picture. The numbers were not necessarily relevant in themselves but the trends were.

Cllr Parker asked if the car parking space allocated to J2 membership could be extended to other car parking areas.

The Deputy Leader said the suggestion would be passed on and discussed with the Leader.

Cllr Parker enquired about staff absences which he could not find in the report.

The Service Director for Finance (S151 Officer) responded this was under ID1.13 and ID1.14.

The Chair added that both indicators had recovered, and a positive yearly trend had been recorded.

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

Watch the debate here