Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Chief Executive – Performance and Improvement Team Leader, Regeneration and Economic Development.

The Chairman thanked the Performance and Planning Manager, Regeneration and

Economic Development, Graham Tebbutt who was in attendance to speak to Members in

relation to the Quarter 4, 2014/15 Performance Management Report (for copy see file of

minutes).

Councillors noted that some of the key achievements in Quarter 4 included: the number of private sector homes improved as a consequence of Local Authority intervention, 176 for the Quarter and a total of 476 since April 2014; the number of empty properties being brought back into use exceeding target; and the number of affordable homes delivered being above target and in line with national homebuilding performance.  Members noted that in addition, the number of apprenticeship starts had exceeded target and that the number of businesses engage with by Business Durham had also significantly exceeded target. 

The Committee were reminded of the Housing Stock Transfer and it was added that at the point of transfer the performance of the 3 organisations was strong, with the level of decent homes being very close to 100% and the level of rent arrears being 1.97%, less than the target of 2.45%.

The Performance and Planning Manager explained that tracker indicators showed positive trends including: a continued reduction in the numbers claiming JobSeekers Allowance (JSA); a reduction in those claiming JSA for 12 months or more; and a reduction in the number of homelessness presentations to the Housing Solutions Service and improvements in the number of preventions achieved.  It was added that there had been an increase in the number of people re-housed via the Durham Key Options choice based lettings scheme in the Quarter and an overall increase for 2014/15 in comparison to 2013/14.  It was noted that this was attributed to greater number of new build properties by both full DKO partners and other registered providers in 2014/15.  The Committee learned that occupancy rates for retail units in 8 of the 12 major town centres had increased, with only Consett, Crook and Newton Aycliffe declining, with some known issues such as a planning issue at Newton Aycliffe.  It was explained that the occupancy of properties operated by Business Durham had increased, with an associated increase in revenue, and also the number of businesses registered had increased over the last year.  Members noted the number of visitors to the “thisisdurham” tourism website, close to 1 million for the year, and the improving statistics in respect of those 16 to 18 years olds Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET) and an improved level of “not knowns” in respect of that cohort.  Councillors were informed of progress in terms of refurbishment of Gypsy Roma Traveller (GRT) sites at Stanley, Birtley, West Rainton and Bishop Auckland and noted good occupancy levels at all sites. 

The Performance and Planning Manager noted key performance issues included: six inward investment schemes had been secured in 2014/15, below a target of ten and it was added that a new plan had been developed in respect of attracting inward investment for the coming years.  It was added that the percentage of major planning applications being determined within deadline had shown a decrease in performance against a backdrop of falling numbers of planning applications.  Members noted tracker indicators that showed: a slight improvement in the employment rate in the Quarter, albeit still behind national and statistical neighbour averages; a decrease in the net number of new homes being completed in the last Quarter, although the overall longer term was showing an increase; and a slight increase in the number of people starting their first full-time degree, albeit still lower than the North East and national rates.

Members noted progress with Council Plan actions that had not achieved target, including: progress in respect of the Council’s position to respond to the Planning Inspector’s interim report on the County Durham Plan (CDP); the delay in the real time travel information system, now to commence in May 2015; and delay of completion date for delivery of the first Durham County Council market housing scheme, now January 2018.

The Chairman thanked the Performance and Planning Manager and asked Members for their questions on the report.

Councillor E Adam asked questions in relation to: influencing the occupancy levels in town centres, specifically those mentioned as declining; and any work with Hitachi in respect of linking to regeneration of the town centre at Newton Aycliffe. 

The Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Economic Development, Councillor N Foster, noted it was difficult to influence occupancy levels in areas where town centres were in private ownership, however the Council was undertaking work in terms of the level of business rates and work of Local Members and Area Action Partnerships (AAPs) in areas, such as Consett, in terms of providing car parking and improvements to shop fronts. 

Councillor N Foster added that while there was no direct work with Hitachi in terms of Newton Aycliffe town centre, there was a Masterplan for Newton Aycliffe and that there was work ongoing in terms of Merchant Park Phase 2.

Councillor M Davinson noted as regards Section 9(b) of the report, the energy efficiency works are to commence shortly, with 100% sign up and that 17 new landlords in respect of DKO should help in low demand areas, adding that Housing Solutions should be “selling” this to customers.

Councillor H Nicholson asked what impact on Durham County Council (DCC) housing schemes could be envisaged in respect of the Government’s announcement of extending the Right to Buy (RTB) scheme.  Councillor J Armstrong noted that in his experience, it was those properties where a tenant had lived in for a long time that would be likely for sale via RTB, rather than any newly developed properties.  Councillor H Nicholson noted that any newly developed properties would be attractive for those looking to invest and therefore the impact may not be for 10 years.  Councillor J Clare asked whether RTB would be applicable to new developments at Newton Aycliffe.  The Portfolio Holder for Housing, Councillor E Tomlinson noted that the site in question was for income generation, with 70% of properties to be sold on that basis and 30% for rent at “market rent”, the site not being for social housing, therefore not subject to RTB.

Councillor O Temple noted reference to comparisons to “near statistical neighbours” and asked for further details.  The Performance and Planning Manager explained that the “statistical neighbours” differed in respect of each issue and area, for example for a lot of Children and Adults Services (CAS) statistics, this were in comparison to other North East Local Authorities, for this Committee, there were some neighbouring Local Authorities, such as Darlington and Hartlepool that were similar, however others from further afield included Doncaster, Rhonda Valley and Dover, albeit they all have similar economies to that of DCC.   

Resolved:

That the report be noted.