Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Resources (copy enclosed).

The Committee received the report of the Director of Resources confirming the Review of Performance for Quarter 1 as attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

The following information was provided on Key Corporate Activities (KCAs) that were flagged as behind schedule or at risk on the report:

·         Crime within the District - Members commented that the increase in the sanctioned detection rate within the Maldon District was unacceptable.  It was requested that the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) is spoken to, as a lower detection rate generates more crime.

Questions regarding signage and promotion of the Police Station are to be directed by Members to a future meeting of the Crime and Disorder Committee.

·         Recycling - Concern was raised by Councillor S J Savage at the lack of visibility of the recent recycling campaign “Metal Matters” and that he felt social media was not a suitable means to promote the Council.  It was confirmed that some Members had seen the Metal Matters campaign advertised within the district.  The Director of Resources agreed to seek feedback on levels of metal recycling since the start of the campaign.

Councillor R P F Dewick requested confirmation that the recycling was not being sent to landfill.  Councillor S J Savage raised concern that recycling might be sent overseas.  The Director of Resources confirmed that historically some recycling within the district was sent overseas and would seek confirmation from the contractor as to where the district’s recycling goes.

Councillor M S Heard was advised that one resident in King Street was not having their green waste collected, and residents had been advised that this is due to access problems relating to the size of contractor vehicles.

Agreed that the Director of Service Delivery approach the contractor for confirmation on this.

·         North Heybridge Flood Alleviation Scheme - An update was provided from the performance report.

·         Brick House Farm Scheme - A meeting with Essex County Council has been arranged for a future date.

Councillor S J Savage stated that this scheme was confidential.  It was agreed no further discussion would occur at this meeting and that the Director of Resources would confirm whether this scheme was confidential or not.

·         Revenues and Benefits - The dip in performance was discussed by the Committee.

The Committee was advised by the Director of Resources that the restructure would involve all teams including Revenues and Benefits.  Following clarity on the future model vacant posts are being filled where possible; however the current recruitment freeze makes this difficult.

An increase in timescales for the assessment of claims generally escalates during Quarter 1, partly due to Annual Billing at the start of the new tax year and the volume of notified Change of Circumstances. 

With the implementation of Universal Credit in November; performance levels are expected to drop.  This was demonstrated at other local peer authorities following commencement within their jurisdiction.

The Director of Resources will approach the Revenues and Benefits team to confirm expected workloads and determine whether additional staffing is required.

·         Staff Sickness - Councillor R P F Dewick queried the levels of staff sickness following receipt of statistics from ACAS and the Office of National Statistics (ONS).  It was not confirmed whether figures from ACAS or the ONS were based on long term, short term or combined averages. 

The Director of Resources to provide feedback to a future meeting of the committee

RESOLVED

(i).   That the content of this report to and actions as outlined above be noted.