Agenda item

To receive the Quarter Four - Performance and Risk Report 2023-24, considered by Cabinet on 7 May 2024.

The Chairman noted that on page 23 of the agenda pack, was a report setting out the quarter four update on performance against the stated missions in the Council’s Business Plan 2022-32. The report also provided a summary of strategic risks that might impact on delivery of these missions.

The report was considered by Cabinet on 7th May and given the breadth of the report, members were invited to submit questions in advance where possible.

The Chairman expressed that in view of the briefing on Risk Management, which was earlier referenced, members were encouraged to pay as much attention to the risk data in the update as to the performance metrics as this was a specific request from the Leader.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council introduced the report and made the following comments that this was a revised approach to risk assessment and management by providing a greater degree of granularity and detail. The importance of the report was stressed as this enabled the Council to judge and assess risks as well as to understand how risks might be mitigated. Cllr Clewer drew attention to the scorecard element of the report in relation to young people, with it noted that this included sections of data which the Council had little control over as an authority, however such metrics were impactful on Wiltshire as a whole. Affordable housing was also discussed, with it noted that though there had been a dip in the delivery of affordable housing, it was expected that this would pick back up.

Terence Herbert, Chief Executive also commented on the importance and role of the report.

In the absence of Cllr Jo Trigg, the Chairman asked officers questions which had been provided by Cllr Trigg. Written responses were verbally provided during the meeting by the Chief Executive as well as being attached to the minutes of the meeting.

The following comments were received by Members of the Committee including a query in relation to the banding system on the housing register and whether the register was reducing through people finding accommodation or through them giving up. Clarity was provided that the reasoning for bands was to enable the prioritisation of people with a greater need of urgency, for example those with medical needs. The notion of local connections enabling residents to be placed higher up the list was discussed, with it also noted that recently the register had been maintained with 10,000 individuals removed who did not need housing. The Leader also raised the issue of adaptable housing and how it was difficult to find properties suitable for adaptation. Work was being done with the housing stock to maintain possessed adaptable accommodation. Cllr Seed also spoke on the matter as former Cabinet Member for Housing, noting that there had been a Housing Needs Analysis Task Group, which had produced 13 recommendations for changing the housing register, which was due to be received through Environment Select Committee and the current Cabinet Member.

Regarding housing, a question was raised regarding how Wiltshire Council liaise with housing associations, with the point raised that GreenSquareAccord is currently set to sell 150 homes, which would reduce capacity. The Leader spoke on the matter, stating that it was frustrating that sales are not something that the Council can directly influence and that when such sales take place, often housing associations use the money to build new stock in another area, often going from social rent to an affordable rent in the new properties. In addition, it was acknowledged that though void times had been an issue, these were improving.

A point was raised in relation to the scorecard, where 79% of the 58 indicators had been ranked as either positive or neutral in terms of improved performance, however this therefore left areas potentially stagnating and at a risk to the Council. The Leader responded that the report included data and sensible metrics was a way of monitoring the indicators as well as providing a narrative as to why areas might be not working as they should. It was stressed that the purpose of the report was to produce helpful scrutiny and challenge rather than blame. In addition, the data would also be taken to Performance Outcome Boards (POBs) to be assessed at a granular level.

The element of the scorecard relating to the number of hectares of new tree/woodland planting was referenced, with it stated that the Council had fallen short of the 111-hectare target with 68.18 hectares achieved, though there had been a late flurry of activity in March 2024. The Corporate Director Place responded that in the last 18 months specific funding from DEFRA had been secured for the recruitment of a team who were now engaging with landowners for implementation. The team had also held many meetings with local champions for tree planting and that there was a programme in development. It was noted that a new funding programme had almost been secured and that all that was needed now was to find recipient land. Cllr Hubbard praised the new team who had been working on a project in Melksham Youth Centre and had provided an outstanding level of support.

Detail was provided on how there had been a successful reduction of households in temporary accommodation, including that preventative measures had been taken to avoid residents going into temporary accommodation initially as well as having a greater supply of temporary accommodation, therefore allowing greater flexibility for response. It was also noted that £10million had been released from reserves to buy various forms of housing to meet a variety of needs. There had also been an emphasis to get residents out of temporary accommodation as fast as possible as well as ensuring that B&Bs were not used.

A point was raised that the recycling rate seemed to be stuck at a low 40%, to which it was clarified that this number had risen from 40% to 42.8% through such methods as the “Lets Sort It Campaign” which had asked residents to be more careful with their recycling as well as bag searches at household recycling centres. It was also suggested that this figure would improve through new legislation, which would lead to Wiltshire having a separate food waste collection from August 2027 onwards as well as responsibilities for plastic producers. The Leader also stated that recycling rates were based on weight, therefore such metrics should be taken with context. A discussion also took place regarding how there had been an increase in residual waste since Covid, with it outlined that enforcement in household recycling centres would soon be reported upon to produce data.

A further point was raised regarding food waste and whether the Council would be stepping up vermin control due to a possible increase in vermin due to food waste storage. The Corporate Director Place stated that the caddies provided for food collection worked well, with experiences of Somerset residents cited, with the lid firmly shutting to prevent entry.

A discussion took place regarding recycling not being picked up from the business community due to costing more through the Council than to privately arrange collection for landfill. It was agreed that if there was a way to incentivise small businesses to recycle their waste rather than using landfill this could be of benefit to both the Council and the environment.

A point was raised about a scheme taking place with the Primary Care Network in Chippenham to encourage men to receive NHS checks. The Leader suggested that this should be taken through the Health and Wellbeing Board and then the Integrated Care Partnership to push out positive preventative practice.

At the conclusion of discussion, it was,

Resolved:

The Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee agreed:

1.    To note the updates and outturns against the measures and activities mapped against the Council’s priorities.

2.    To note the Strategic Risk Summary.

3.    To ask the Select Committee Chairs to consider further scrutiny of the performance measures and risks within their areas as appropriate.