Agenda item

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

The Chairman thanked the Performance and Planning Manager who was in attendance to speak to Members in relation to the Quarter 4, 2015/16 Performance Management Report (for copy see file of minutes).

The Performance and Planning Manager reminded Members of the different types of indicators reported, Tracker indicators and Target indicators and added that there had been a change in the reporting of direction of travel, now with a 2% tolerance similar to Performance Indicators.

Councillors noted that some of the key achievements in Quarter 4, representing January to March 2016, included: a significant improvement in planning applications determined within deadline, albeit there was a slight decrease in the number of planning applications; the number of empty properties being brought back into use was slightly less than the previous year, however still better than target; the number of affordable homes completed was above target, although changing legislation reducing grant levels was likely to affect this in the future; that the occupancy of Business Durham premises had continued to rise and was at 87.5% against a target of 79%; and that the overall success rate of adult learning, funded through the Skills Funding Agency (SFA), was 93.2% for the 2014/15 academic year, better than the target of 88%, the previous year performance of 87% and national and region rates of 87% and 83.6% respectively.

Members noted information relating to Tracker Indicators including: an increase in the number of net homes completed, with an annual figure of 1,343 in comparison to 1,083 the previous year; the number of clients accessing the Housing Solutions Service had steadily increased from 2,042 in Quarter 1 to 4,866 in Quarter 4 with an increase in the number homelessness preventions with an annual total of 1,298 preventions, and a decrease in the number of statutory homelessness completions; the number of registered businesses had increased slightly; the number of businesses engaged with by BD had increased slightly, with BD supporting the 3 established business networks in the county; and the occupancy rates in retail units within town centres had improved in 8 of the 12 town centres and were set out within the report.  It was added that the figures in relation to those Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET) had not changed significantly, however the figure of 5.9% was much improved compared to figures of around 10% in previous years.  Members noted the progress in terms of the Council Plan Action associated with the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI), DurhamWorks, and with the business park site at Newton Aycliffe, Forrest Park.

It was added that the key performance issue for the theme were: 9 apprenticeship starts through DCC schemes in comparison to a target of 50 in the period October to December 2015, noting funding had been exhausted, however, additional funding had been identified for 2016/17 and it was hoped the number of apprenticeships would increase next year; in Quarter 4, 231 jobs were created through work with existing businesses, below a target of 600 with Members noting the target would be revised; and 191 private sector properties being brought back into use through Local Authority intervention, giving and annual total of 544, below the target of 599 though above the figure of 476 in the previous year.

Members noted the Tracker Indicators set out within the report included information in terms of the employment rate, as mentioned in a previous item; a continued decrease in the number of Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) claimants aged 18-24; and a slight decrease in those accessing JSA for one year or more.  Councillors learned that there was an improvement in the number of working age people who were out of work that wanted a job in comparison to the previous year; however, figures were below the North East and national averages.

Councillors noted Council Plan actions that had not achieved target included: adoption of the CDP, timescales as set out in the previous agenda item relating to this issue; planning consent for a Western Relief Road, linked to the CDP; a delay in respect of a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) bid in connection with the historic quay at Seaham from April 2016 to September 2016; development of the Millburngate House being delayed from March 2016 to September 2016; delivery of a new car park at Bishop Auckland to support residents and an increase in tourists had been delayed from December 2016 to March 2017, to allow further survey work prior to a planning application being submitted.

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

Councillor D Hall asked whether issues in connection to mineral rights had been resolved in terms of the Forrest Park development and whether there was any movement in terms of the former baths site in Durham City.  The Performance and Planning Manager noted that the general issue of mineral rights was an issue nationally, and was not aware of any issue outstanding as regards the Forrest Park development.  In respect of the baths site, the Performance and Planning Manager noted the Council owned the site and a car park, with ongoing work with Durham University who own a strip of land adjacent to the site.

Councillor R Ormerod noted that in terms of the information provided as regards town centre retail units, it would be useful for Members to receive number of units, not just percentage occupancy.  The Performance and Planning Manager noted this was possible, together with information in terms of the use class of the units.

The Chairman noted that this was the last Committee that the Performance and Planning Manager would attend before moving to new employment and Members of the Committee thanked him for his excellent service to both the Authority and the Committee and wished him well for the future.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.