Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive Officer which presented 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 report covered performance in and to the end of quarter four, 2022/23, January to March 2023 (for copy of report see file of minutes).

Tom Gorman, Corporate Policy and Performance Manager, presented the report, highlighting significant points. The Sub-Committee noted that whilst cinema and theatre attendance was performing slightly better than pre-covid levels, gym and leisure centre attendances were below target. 

Carbon reduction was being undertaken in Council owned buildings and businesses continued to be supported through the Business Energy Efficiency Programme.  During the 12 months to December 2022, the amount of waste diverted from landfill had reduced and whilst the latest benchmarking data showed Durham’s performance in relation to the proportion of household waste sent for recycling was stronger than regional neighbours, the amount of household waste recycled over the past 12 months had decreased.  Whilst contamination of recyclate waste had reduced during the quarter, over the 12 month period to December 2022, the contamination rate had increased on the previous year.  On a positive note, flytipping incidents were at a historical low and compared favourably with benchmark authorities.

Councillor Crute referred to the Selective Licensing Scheme and questioned as to why it appeared in the ‘Going Well’ section of the report and remarked that, with only 28% of eligible properties being fully licensed, in his opinion, the scheme was not ‘going well’.  He added that he would like further information on how low compliance will be targeted as this had been an area of concern raised at PACT meetings. The Corporate Policy and Performance Manager explained that when the application to government was made for the Selective Licensing Scheme, the target was to achieve an additional 20% coverage each year and thereby achieve 100% by the end of the five year period.  Councillor Crute said that as the Selective Licensing Scheme and issues relating to private sector landlords are pertinent to several Overview and Scrutiny Committees, he would like to see more detailed information, including information relating to inspections and enforcement, when the item is considered at the next meeting of the Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Adam observed that following the ‘What Goes Where’ campaign, contamination of recycling had reduced however the report also showed that for a rolling 12 month period ending in December 2022, the contamination rate had increased from the previous year, a significant sum of money had been spent on the campaign and it seemed to have had little impact.  He stressed the need for more information on exactly what is causing problems and what action is required and he suggested that an additional phase should be added to the current process, to prevent contaminated recycling reaching the recycling centre.  The Corporate Policy and Performance Manager clarified that contamination is any item placed in a bin which is not recyclable and campaign sought to address the issues caused when residents are unsure about what goes in which bin.  He continued by suggesting that at times, when the residual waste bin is full, residents may knowingly place residual waste in the recycling bin as there is no alternative, therefore it may be useful to address the issue through amending policies in relation to side-waste or larger bins. He also pointed out that there is still an education issue in relation to what goes in which bin.

Councillor Adam also pointed out that the amount of municipal waste transferring to landfill is increasing due to planned and unplanned maintenance, however, he expected to see less waste being diverted to landfill and he asked whether the issue needed to be addressed differently. The Corporate Policy and Performance Manager replied that he was aware that neighbouring authorities who use the same Energy from Waste Centre as Durham are performing better, therefore contractual issues may require further investigation.

Resolved:

The Committee noted:

a)    the overall position and direction of travel in relation to quarter four performance;

b)    the continuing impact of COVID-19 pandemic recovery and the external international factors driving inflation and cost-of-living on the Council’s performance; and

c)    the actions being taken to address areas of underperformance including the significant economic and well-being challenges because of the pandemic and other external factors.