Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Customers and Community (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Customers and Community seeking Members’ comments on the information as set out in both the report and Appendix 1.

The Chairman informed the Committee that in accordance with the recommendation they would go through Appendix 1 page by page focussing on performance indicators and key council activities relating to the Customers and Community Directorate. With reference to the report he drew Members’ attention to paragraphs 3.3.1 and 3.3.2 outlining key successes and achievements over the past year.  It was noted that this was a record to be proud of.

In response to a question concerning the ‘Warm Maldon Project’ the Director of Customers and Community said that he would report back to Members by email on the number of vulnerable people who were supported by the project.

Councillor H M Bass, referring to the ‘Crucial Crew’ project, paragraph 3.3.1, third bullet point, commented that this was an exceptional project that must be maintained. This was unanimously supported.

In response to an enquiry regarding recorded complaints the Director of Customers and Community said he would investigate and provide a written explanation to all members of the Committee.  He then drew Members’ attention to paragraph 3.3.2, bullet point nine, regarding the excellent volunteer support from members of the local community, in particular volunteer work on green spaces.

Key Council Activity – ‘Level of reported crime’ – Councillor E L Bamford asked if other activity in this area was on track and if all information had been included in this report.  In response, the Director of Customers and Community said that he would check and report back to Members as appropriate.  It was further noted that the Council did not have overall influence in this area given that the police had prime responsibility for crime levels.

Key Council Activity- ‘Work with partners to seek funding/bring forward flood relief projects for identified surface and coastal flooding risk areas’. Councillor Miss M R Lewis expressed concern regarding the North Heybridge Flood Alleviation scheme and the Environment Agency’s response to this.  The Committee agreed that this key council activity be referred to Planning and Licensing (P&L) committee along with Councillor Miss M R Lewis’ concerns regarding the Environment Agency’s response.

Key Council Activity – ‘Total household waste arising per household’. Following a lengthy discussion Members agreed that having two targets would be more useful, one on waste and one on recycling.

Key Council Activity - ‘Average number of justified missed collections per collection day’. A debate ensued as to whether the focus should be on ‘justified’ missed collections. Councillor A S Fluker informed the Committee that there had been a large number of missed collections.  He stressed the importance of notifying residents via the website as soon as problems were known.  He requested a meeting with the Director of Customers and Community to go through the data on missed collections. It was agreed that the key council activity should report on missed collections highlighting areas of poor performance where contractors were not meeting the Service Level Agreement (SLA).

RESOLVED

(i)        that the information set out in the report and appendices be noted;

(ii)       that statistics on numbers of vulnerable people supported by the ‘Warm   Maldon Project’, (paragraph 3.3.1, bullet point 4 of the report) be provided            to the Committee;

(iii)      that the outstanding complaints and compliments data at paragraph 3.4 in the             report be provided in writing to the Committee;

(iv)      that the information on Key Corporate Activity –‘Level of Reported Crime’ –      be checked to ensure all associated information had been provided;

(v)       that Key Council Activity – ‘Work with partners to seek funding/bring     forward flood relief projects for identified surface and coastal flooding risk           areas in the District’ – report findings and feedback be referred to P&L            together with Councillor  Miss  M R Lewis’ comments; 

(vii)     that Key Council Activity – ‘Total Household waste arising per household’ –       be amended to Total general waste and recycling etc. showing a target for    waste and a target for recyclables, thus demonstrating how the scheme is        impacting/educating (positively/negatively) our residents;

(viii)    that Key Council Activity – ‘Average number of justified missed collections       per collection day’ – be changed to focus reporting on ‘missed’ collections and             report/record statistics on poor performance/not meeting the agreed SLA;

(ix)      that the Deputy Leader and the Director meet to gothrough the statistics with      a view to providing a separate report back to the Committee on findings and           trends.