Agenda item

To consider the Quarterly Performance report for Quarter 4 2018/19.

A report was submitted which presented the headline issues in relation to the Council's overall performance for the period up to the end of Quarter 4 (January to March) of 2018/19. It was noted that no new strategic risks had been identified during the quarter. 

Councillor T. Schofield, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Finance, highlighted that nine of the fifteen Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were on target or within agreed tolerances for the period.  In response to questions, Councillor Schofield explained KPIs 4-8 were contextual homelessness indicators, introduced to reflect changes required under the Homelessness Reduction Act (2017). It was noted that the performance in 2018/19 had influenced the targets set for 2019/20.

In relation to the number of affordable home completions, it was explained that KPI 3 was off target at the end of Quarter 4. It was noted that against a target of achieving 100 affordable home completions by the end of the year, 68 had been achieved. It was explained that achieving this target was heavily dependent on delivery across a few large sites. It was therefore recognised that this figure could change from quarter to quarter as affordable homes were often completed at these sites in bulk. Councillor Schofield informed the Executive that at the end of Quarter 4 there were 55 affordable dwellings under construction and a further 5 commenced within the quarter. It was also highlighted that in the four financial years since 2014, when the Core Strategy was adopted (2014/15 - 2017/18), the delivery of affordable homes within the borough had averaged at just over 100 per year (407 in total).

It was highlighted that the report before the Executive had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the 6 June 2019.  Councillor N.D. Harrison, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, explained that the Committee had made several observations on the report. These had been captured in the minutes of the meeting. In addition, the Executive was informed that the Committee had made two recommendations which concerned key performance indicators. It was explained that the Committee had requested an opportunity to review the revised KPIs for 2020/21 before they were adopted and for affordable housing targets to be reported by type.

During the discussion a number of issues were considered with questions being answered by the Leader of the Council, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Finance, the Executive Member for Community Partnerships, and the Executive Member for Housing and Benefits.

RESOLVED that:

(i)            The Council’s performance for the fourth quarter of financial year 2018/19, outlined in the report of the Head of Projects and Performance, be noted

(ii)          The requests from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (6 June 2019) that it had an opportunity to review Key Performance Indicators for service delivery for 2020/21 before they are adopted, and that affordable housing targets be reported by type, be accepted.

Reason for decision: To consider the performance for the fourth quarter of the financial year 2018/19.

Alternative options: None.