Agenda item

Report of the Chief Executive, presented by Tom Gorman, Corporate Scrutiny and Strategy Manager.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive which provided an overview of progress towards achieving the key outcomes of the council’s corporate performance framework and highlighted key messages to inform strategic priorities and work programmes. The Corporate Scrutiny and Strategy Manager delivered the report which covered performance in and to the end of quarter four, 2022/23 January to March 2023 (for copy see file of minutes).

Councillor Charlton referred to page 85 of the report and sought clarification why data was from 2018 for alcohol seizures, 2021 for first-time entrants to the youth justice system aged 10 to 17, 2019/20 for proven re-offending by young people (who offend) in a 12-month period.

The Corporate Scrutiny and Strategy Manager responded that there was some natural lag with the data, but he would look into the data with regard to alcohol seizures.

Councillor Quinn asked if they were on track for achieving 100% selective licensing by 2027 and sought clarification when selective licensing ran out.

The Corporate Scrutiny and Strategy Manager responded that the current selective licensing scheme expired after 5years and that the Council would have to re-apply for its continuance and justify the reasons.

Councillor Currah commented that he was a landlord and had to pay £500 per year and had not changed anything in the way he dealt with his tenants and had taken the financial impact himself. Some landlords had passed this fee on to tenants.

The Corporate Scrutiny and Strategy Manager responded that the nature of the scheme could change and in 2027 they could still be eligible for a selective licensing scheme, but the area covered by the scheme may change.

Councillor Quinn asked if there had been any convictions or court appearances in relation to selective licensing.

The Corporate Scrutiny and Strategy Manager indicated that a briefing note would be provided to Members on selective licensing.

The Chair indicated his view that the selective licensing scheme was failing, and good landlords were targeted to finance the scheme for those for which it was intended.

Resolved: That the overall position and direction of travel in relation to quarter four performance, the impact of COVID-19 and the rising cost of living on performance, and the actions being taken to address areas of underperformance including the significant economic and well-being challenges because of the pandemic be noted.