Agenda item

To consider the Quarter 2 Performance Report.

Frank Jordan, Executive Director for Place introduced the item.  He advised the Committee to note that this performance report should be reviewed  noted this is not an ordinary year. 

The Committee were advised that the recovery reports highlighted: performance and that it was useful to note services have had to deliver entirely new services- e.g support with shielding, business and economic support- grants etc.  Services such as enforcement and regulatory services have had to increase capacity as there had been provision of additional support for those homeless or at risk of.

Waste collection and Highways had maintained a service where possible.

The Planning department had experienced pressures working remotely, especially as the demand is increasing not decreasing. 

The Council have reacted where possible, and been able to provide services not previously offered before. 

The Committee commended the officers who have worked throughout the pandemic, especially those who had distributed grants to businesses.

There was some discussion that related to:

·         The retention of Environmental Health officers, Frank advised that this had been tracked in previous years and additional support had been sought to meet targets but this was not a sustainable approach.  Therefore, a different approach had been taken around recruitment.

·         The Council worked to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) Covid-19 guidance on food hygiene and standards activities that focused on high risk areas.  This stated that Local Authorities are expected to prioritise their activities through remote assessments initially, and physical onsite inspections were required for high risk and non-compliant establishments.  However the FSA had stated that only physical inspections would count towards the annual inspection programme.  The Council  were awaiting further guidance to understand how this will affect next year’s inspection programme.

·         Members raised the issue about potential missed bin collections, Frank agreed to pick up this point and feed back to Members.

·         The timeframe of Planning applications, Members were advised timeframes were adjusted to take into account extensions of time with applicant, these were always within the best interests of the applicant.

·         The potential to add to the volunteer base for areas of work such as litter picking.

·         The timeline for financial support to businesses must be high priority.

·         Concerns on the number of refusals against officer recommendations that were overturned by the Planning inspector.  Members were advised that whilst fluctuations within appeals did happen, the proportion of appeals was significantly higher.  Further analysis over two quarters would be needed to assess any trends or whether it was symptomatic of the applications at that time. 

·         Home adaptations did have a backlog of work, but this will be looked at when restrictions lifted enough to enable contractors to go into other people’s homes.

·         The question of digital Infrastructure and broadband being rolled out across the borough would be dealt with as part of the draft corporate plan, this would contain revised strategic objectives where performance would need to be set and reset considered as part of that.

·         The Committee asked how many Cheshire East properties would benefit from the Airband agreement, Peter Skates agreed to pick up this point direct with Members.

RESOLVED: That

·         Frank Jordan be thanked for his attendance and presentation to the Committee;

·         Frank Jordan to feed back to Members in respect of potential missed bin collections; and

·         Peter Skates to feed back to Members in respect of how many properties would benefit from the Airband agreement.