Agenda item

The report was introduced by the Chief Operating Officer who noted that it reflected the performance of the council in the first six months of the 2016/17 municipal year (April – September).

The summary was structured to highlight those areas that were performing above expectations, those areas where there was a risk to either performance or delivery and those areas where further work was required for next year’s report.

Progress on the Commercial Plan was to be included on the agenda for the December meeting.

Areas described as performing well included: Building Control; Development Management; Projects and Growth; and CCTV.

Those areas described as risks included: Local Land Charges; Enforcement; Markets; and Home Choices.

Further information was given on each of the above, and the Progress and Delivery Working Group was to meet again shortly to look again at the measures being used.  Complaints, Comments and Compliments were being reconsidered to present a more sophisticated way of monitoring.

Members welcomed the report and the information set out within it.  It was noted that income from grants was important and that Councillors added value to the process, it was suggested that when applications were submitted to the Lindsey Action Zone Ward Members be kept informed to aid delivery of services and provide support.  Particular note was made of the improvements to Caistor under the Town Heritage Initiative.

It was questioned whether there were any statistics as to the nationality of rough sleepers, but then queried as to the relevance of this as no individuals should be sleeping rough.  It was clarified that the question was raised as it was important to verify that individuals should not be forced into homelessness on arrival in the UK.

Members also questioned if there were any recent updates available on broadband and mobile connectivity, and whether the appropriate legal advice had been initially provided.  The Chief Operating Officer informed that meeting that a report was to be submitted to the Prosperous Communities Committee in December.  It was requested that this include BDUK information.

Further discussion ensued on Planning, Building Control and Enforcement and the teams working together.  Team Manager Andy Gray was commended for his enforcement work.  It was important to control the expectations of the public and clarify what was reasonable and practical in terms of enforcement.  Members felt it would be useful to see trend metrics and the Chief Operating Officer agreed that Direction of Travel indicators were useful.  Major work was ongoing with enforcement and it was expected that improved policies would be in place by the end of January, however the Ombudsman was satisfied with processes undertaken to date.  It was difficult to generalise time taken to resolve cases as each was different and some complicated issues could take up to three years.  It was felt that metrics were important, even if issues were beyond the Council’s control, as they helped to drive improvement.

RESOLVED: that having reviewed the performance information contained in the Progress and Delivery Report, the report be accepted.