Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Director of Resources which detailed performance during the first quarter of 2022/23 (for copy of report see file of minutes).

Introducing the report, Tom Gorman, Corporate Policy and Performance Manager, commented that as the county continued to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, it faced additional pressures caused by the cost of living crisis.  High inflation exceeding wage increases would lead to a fall in income in real terms and as a result, the council was expecting to see an increase in demand for advice services such as those relating to fuel poverty, benefits and welfare assistance and a possible reduction in demand for discretionary services such as leisure centres, theatres and museums, as households face increased financial pressure.

The Corporate Policy and Performance Manager explained that the format of the performance report had changed in order to focus members’ attention on those areas performing well and those requiring improvement.  During the quarter, areas performing well included air quality, street cleanliness and             fly-tipping.  Areas requiring attention included the quantity of waste collected and the contamination of kerbside recycling. 

On a positive note, the report highlighted that the Scaling on Street Charging Infrastructure Project won a national award for the Best Electric Vehicle Charging Project and the council’s Selective Licensing scheme which aims to improve the management of privately rented properties had commenced.  The number of photovoltaic installations in council buildings had increased and the work to convert Morrison Busty into a low carbon depot was progressing.  The Corporate Policy and Performance Manager suggested the Committee may wish to visit the site to view the programme of work in the future.

Members made comments and asked questions as follows.

Councillor Nicholls referred to the cleanliness surveys and asked whether the data included private land as he was concerned at the amount of derelict land which suffered from fly-tipping and he asked whether the council could take enforcement action on these areas of land.  The Corporate Policy and Performance Manager explained that the data contained in the report related to council owned land and the council was limited as to the enforcement action it could take on private land as landowners were responsible for the removal of fly-tipping on their land.  Councillor Nicholls commented that he would like to see the council lobby for increased enforcement powers.  Following up the question, Councillor Elmer remarked on fly-tipping on privately-owned, publicly accessible land such as industrial estates and he requested that further information be provided to the Committee in relation to the matter. The Corporate  Policy and Performance Manager agreed to follow up the comments and enquire as to where the fly-tipping trouble spots were throughout the county. 

Councillor Charlton expressed concern at the enforcement rate for fly-tipping at 49% and commented on the amount of fly-tipping she observed in her division which she pointed out is close to a Household Waste Recycling Centre, and she asked for information on how many cameras were in operation and where they were situated.  The Chair informed the Committee that a report and presentation on fly-tipping would be considered at the next meeting of the Committee on 23 November 2022 and that the service would be contacted and asked to include this information in their report. 

In response to a question from Councillor Charlton as to when the low carbon depot at Morrison Busty will be complete and whether the project had remained on budget, the Contracts Team Manager clarified the project consisted of several different phases and the Chair stated that a response to Councillor Charlton’s request for an update on the project would be sought from the service.

Referring to the Selective Licensing target to achieve 100% of private rented sector properties covered by the scheme by 2027, Councillor Adam commented that the timescale was lengthy, given the increasing problems of anti-social behaviour reported by the public and he asked whether that target was achievable.  The Corporate Policy and Performance Manager pointed out that this was a new indicator and he had posed a question to the service as to whether licences should be required at the outset.  The response from the service would be shared with the Committee in due course.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.