Decision details

Resolved

(1)          That the following achievements be noted:

Cherwell: A District of Opportunity

·           Continue to support skills development, apprenticeships and job clubs/contribute to the creation and safeguarding of jobs measures are both reporting green.  346 jobs have been created/safeguarded this year to date (against target of 150), 135 of these in quarter 3. 

·           Develop the role of the Cherwell Investment Partnership (CHIP) is also reporting green with 20 formal business enquiries being answered and assistance given to many businesses seeking to move, expand of contract. The Banbury Town Team co-ordination project has contributed to a reduction of vacant shop units from 53 to 40 during quarter three. 

·           Good progress continues against “Develop a whole Council ‘Better Business’ approach to support new and existing businesses”.  All regulatory staff have been trained on the Regulator’s code and the Enforcement Policy consultation is complete.  In addition, £5000 funding was sought and agreed by the BIS Better Regulation Delivery Office (BRDO) to improve regulatory support in a pilot in Banbury.

Safe, Green and Clean

·      Waste sent to Landfill figures have improved in quarter three, and it is anticipated that at year end we will be 250 tonnes down on last year’s residual waste to landfill.  An excellent result following a rise in landfill over the past two years. 

·      Number of All Domestic Burglary incidents reported is again reporting as Green* with 59 incidents being reported against 74 in same period last year, continuing the downward trend this year.

Thriving Communities

·      The total number of visits to the Council’s Leisure facilities (including District Leisure Centres, Woodgreen Leisure Centre, North Oxfordshire Academy and Cooper School Bicester) has significantly exceeded the year to date target 961,609 by 138,501 visits.  This is despite a fall in numbers of visits, year to date at Woodgreen

·      Processing of major applications within 13 weeks is again reporting as Green* at 89.29% (91.25% year to date). This figure represents sustained and significant progress, compared with historic performance.

·      Processing of minor applications within 8 weeks has improved from Amber in quarter two to green in quarter three – reporting right on target at 65%.

Sound Budgets and Customer Focussed Council

·      Increase our use of social media to communicate with residents and local businesses is again reporting as Green with Facebook likes now standing at 6363 and Twitter at 5042.  By using advertisements we have extended our reach into our non-follower audience which has proved successful.

·      Deliver a new approach to communications for the Bicester Master Plan is reporting as Green with a new sub-site being developed at www.all-about-bicester.co.uk which pulls all the information about Bicester together.

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

Cherwell: A District of Opportunity

·         Delivery in North West Bicester of the Eco Business Centre is again reporting Amber as a result of project delays due to external factors relating to the delivery of the local centre on phase 1.  The delay has not however had an impact on timescales or budget.

Safe, Clean and Green

·      151 Violence against the Person (without injury) incidents were reported in quarter three (Red) compared with 102 in same period 2013/14.  It is important to note that recent changes (classifications) in the way Police crime statistics are compiled make it difficult to compare directly against those recorded in the same period last year. 

Thriving Communities

·      Number of visits to Woodgreen Leisure Centre, North Oxfordshire Academy and Cooper School (Bicester) is now reporting Amber.  Although there is improvement in performance this quarter, seasonal variations should be taken into account when comparing quarterly performance. At WGLC we have moved from the pool season to the indoor bowls season (more consistent usage) and at NOA and Cooper are into the peak astro turf winter season. The year to date figure is down overall (15,743) and this is due to several contributing factors including lower outdoor pool figures due to a wetter summer, loss of Boxing Club booking (relocation), less functions at WGLC and athletics track refurbishment closure at NOA. The Council have been working in partnership with Parkwood Leisure at WGLC to address the drop in their figures and now have Lead Member approval to expand the gym provision at the centre. This will see an increase in footfall but not until mid-March and so will not impact on this year's shortfall.

·      Processing of Other planning applications is reporting Amber - a slight improvement over quarter two.  Performance 78.57% against target 80.00% with year to date performance 75.32%. 

Sound Budgets and Customer Focussed Council

·      Several objectives relating to 3-way working/further shared services are reporting Amber.  These are awaiting consideration/approval by Cherwell and South Northants Councils at the end of February. 

·      A service level measure relating to Car Park Income has been escalated for inclusion in this report due to an overspend, predominantly as a result of reduced car parking income of £312,000. The projection takes into account the impact of the Sainsbury’s car park in Bicester and falling demand generally which is also compounded by falling Excess Charge Notices and £73,000 refunds due to Meteor Parking Ltd from overcharging.  These are mitigated in part by salary savings of (£121,000), and additional income from grants, contributions and fees and charges of (£140,000).

(3)          That it be noted there was no feedback from the February meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee during which it considered the quarter three performance report.