Resolved
(1) That the following achievements be noted:
Cherwell: A District of Opportunity
· Contribute to creation/safeguarding of 200 jobs is reporting as Green*, 330 jobs were created/safeguarded during Quarter two exceeding the annual target. The £70m Bicester Town Centre development opened with phase one creating 30 jobs at Sainsbury's and 30 at Vue cinema. Further jobs are being created in adjacent shop and restaurant units.
· Processing of major applications within 13 weeks is reporting as Green*, Improvement measures introduced earlier this year have resulted in a successive rise in performance this year to date. Quarter two performance of 76.47% represents sustained and significant progress and is a tremendous improvement on historic performance.
· Processing of minor applications within 8 weeks although reporting Amber is an improvement on the last quarter performance. Whilst still below target and as in last quarter, this is in part due to delays in registration. These delays are due to a number of factors, including major applications now taking precedence, a general increase in the number of major applications, which are more complex and take longer to register and recent changes in legislation and working practices. Priority action was taken to clear the backlog (from 3 weeks to 5 days) by seconding Development Management staff and together with new appointments to the team there has been a gradual improvement. With the backlog addressed and vacancies now filled, the overall performance is expected to be on target next quarter.
A Cleaner Greener Cherwell
· Reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill is reporting as Amber, this illustrates an improvement on last quarter. The amount of waste sent to landfill is slightly below target both for Quarter 2 and year to date (Actual: 12,926 against Target 11,800), mainly due to street sweepings going to landfill. In order to address this issue, we will start to recycle a percentage of sweepings from October 2013.
· Ensure opportunities for local people to participate in the Eco-Bicester programme is reporting as Green. Summer events such as the Bicester Bike day were well attended with the Eco Bicester project promoting cycling in the town. Also continue opportunities for participation through social media (twitter), the Eco Bicester newsletter, website and emerging consultation strategy for NW Bicester.
A Safe, Healthy and Thriving District
· Maintain current levels of visits/usage to Woodgreen Leisure Centre, North Oxfordshire Academy and Cooper School is reporting as Green*. Up 9118 on same period in 2012. The majority of this attributed to an increase in visitors to Woodgreen Leisure Centre pool due to exceptionally good weather during July and August and also an increase in dry side use (up by 2,282). Year to date performance 75,604 against target 57,663.
· Reduce chronic Anti-Social Behaviour cases is reporting as Green. Successful conclusion to two cases in Banbury: - whereby in Case 1, one tenant was evicted and in Case 2 suitable advice was given to both parties to resolve the issue. Private Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) to be extended. Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) to be obtained to use police CCTV. An emerging case in Bicester - impact of family involved in criminal behaviour and frequent domestic incidents being considered for inclusion.
An Accessible Value for Money Council
· Continue to implement and embed an effective approach to address the financial impact of Government welfare reform is reporting as Green. Welfare Reform Project group has been set up with a number of work streams which are addressing the on-going impact of the government's welfare reforms and identifying where financial issues are arising.
· Consult with local residents in a cost effective manner to ensure the Council has a good understanding of local priorities is reporting as Green, an improvement on last quarter. Corporate consultation programme complete, satisfaction ratings show trend improvement and budget consultation has been used by Executive to begin planning for next year's budget and business plan.
(2) That the following performance related matters be identified for review or consideration in future reports:
Cherwell: A District of Opportunity
· Planning appeals allowed against refusal decision is reporting as Red for the second quarter running. The performance measure is volatile as it is based on low overall appeal numbers and therefore each decision can impact on the performance measure for appeals. There is no evidence of poor performance, though this continues to be carefully monitored. It should be noted that, compared with the government’s stated threshold for the quality of a local planning authority’s performance (i.e. no more than 20 per cent of an authority’s decisions on applications for major development should be overturned at appeal) measured over a two year period, the current performance is 7%.
An Accessible Value for Money Council
· Percentage of Council Tax collected (cumulative) is reporting as Amber for the second quarter. Behind target but in line with previous years collection figure.
(3) That the progress on issues raised in the Quarter One performance report be noted.