Decision details

Resolved

(1)          That the following achievements be noted:

Cherwell: A District of Opportunity

·         Processing of major applications within 13 weeks has significantly improved to 68.75% this quarter, compared to 25% at the end of Quarter 4, exceeding the target of 50%.

·         The number of households living in temporary accommodation has reduced to well below target. 34 have been placed in temporary accommodation with an expected target of 41. Work is further progressing with partners (Registered Social Landlords) to ensure delays in ‘move-ons’ and ‘turn arounds’ is kept to a minimum.

A Cleaner Greener Cherwell

·          The amount of waste recycled this quarter has improved to 58% compared to the last quarter of 55%, the target for this year is to maintain above 57%. The Street cleansing team have completed a ‘Litter Blitz’ week with the community of Hardwick. This involves road shows, swap shops, collection of large bulky items for free and more importantly engaging with the community and educating about recycling.

·          EcoTown work is due to start on site at the initial housing development at Northwest Bicester in September. A2 Dominion will begin construction of the spine road to serve the development. The construction of the first homes is expected to begin in early 2014.

A Safe, Healthy and Thriving District

·           The new sports pitches at South West Bicester are making progress, the contractor has completed the sports pitch construction including the drainage, next stage is to seed the pitch. The cycle track will then be constructed in August/September.

·           Supporting the local health sector in building a new community hospital in Bicester has progressed; construction is underway of the new facility.

           An Accessible Value for Money Council

·           Improvements to the website have started with a new online form systems being implemented; this will allow the customer more options and a customer friendly online form to report issues. This will also extend to include more of the Councils services online. 

(2)          That the following performance related matters for review or consideration in future reports be noted:

Cherwell: A District of Opportunity

·           Processing of Minor Applications within 8 weeks is reporting as Red, this is 51.72% compared with 73.74% last quarter. The target is 65%. Processing of Other Applications within 8 weeks is reporting as Amber, this is 76.56% compared to 86.28% last quarter, the target is 80%. This is due to the focus concentrating on the submission and process of Major applications which takes longer to complete. Priority action is being enforced by seconding the Development Management Staff; this together with new appointments to the team will ensure maintaining throughput of applications and ensuring they are manageable moving forward.

A Cleaner Greener Cherwell

·           Reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill is reporting as Red, 6566 tonnages against the target of 5900. The landfill tonnages are ahead of expectation. The waste and recycling team are working on reducing this for the next quarter.

·           The number of Flytips is reporting as Amber, across the District there have been 100 flytips in quarter 1, only 4 flytips over target which is 96. We are experiencing an increase in either single item or small flytips in garage areas. A joint approach with the housing associations to tackle the issue is underway, this includes education of areas and also signage to discourage the flytipping.

A Safe Healthy and Thriving District

·         Reducing domestic burglary incidents by 2% is reporting as Amber, Cherwell has received 50 reports of Burglary compared to 44 reports. This slight increase at this time of year is a common trend however, joint working with Thames Valley Police through the Joint Agency and Tasking Co-ordination (JATAC) meeting is underway to promote securing homes and sheds during the holiday period.

·         Maintaining current levels of visits/usage to district leisure centres is reporting as Amber, 295,570 visits compared with 309,900 at Quarter 1 in 2012/2013. This is due to the teaching swimming pool being closed in Bicester which is having an adverse effect.  Spiceball and Kidlington levels have increased and slightly exceed the target.

An Accessible Value for Money Council

·         Implementing and embedding shared back office systems and services to secure efficiencies is reporting as Amber, this was also Amber at the end of the last quarter. Work is progressing in this area with the Human Resources Business Case having been approved and the 3 way ICT business case is also being developed.

·         The percentage of housing benefit recovered, including outstanding is reporting as Red, 15.82% has been recovered compared with Quarter one 2012/2013 of 12.56%. The team are looking into this area to ensure targets are achievable.

Invoices being paid within 30 days is reporting as Amber, 96.05% have been paid within 30 days against a target of 98%. This reduction in performance is due to missing information on the invoices which is delaying the process. Proactive steps have been taken with regular communication of requiring all information, this has been sent to all staff via email.

(3)          That the progress on issues raised in the Quarter two report be noted.