Issue - meetings

This report sets out the Q4 performance outturn for the Service Delivery Plan indicatros for the period 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020.

Cabinet is requested to:

a) Note the Council’s Q4 performance against the targets for the Service Delivery Plan (SDP) indicators as set out in this report and Appendix A and B which are attached.

b) Approve the increase in the target for SDP21 (Average time from property vacated to property re let) for 2020/21 from 15 days to 24 days

The Chairman invited the Cabinet Member for Corporate Support, Councillor Oppler, to introduce this item.  The introduction was much the same as the introduction for the previous item, referring to Council priority themes and strategic direction.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Support then invited the Group Head of Policy to present the reports and explain the outturn performance figures, as detailed in the report and associated appendices.

The Group Head of Policy advised Cabinet that there was an amendment to the number of indicators that had over-achieved.  The original report referred to 13 indicators – the correct figure was 14.  It was further explained that, in relation to SDP23, the outturn reported should have read 84% (against a target of 80%) so this indicator was actually over-achieving.

            As with the Corporate Plan report, Cabinet were advised that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic situation was likely to adversely impact future performance.  Accordingly, close monitoring of indicators SDP4, SDP5, SDP7, SDP16, SDP18, SDP18, SDP21, and SDP 23 will need to take place.  SDP1, SDP3 and SDP10 would also need close monitoring in an attempt to improve performance.

            Cabinet were asked to agree to an increase in the target figure for SDP21 – Average time from property vacated to being re-let - from the current target of 15 days to a new target of 24 days.  The standard of 24 days ‘key to key’  was the standard as per the new contract with Osbornes which commenced on 1 April 2020.

            Cabinet Members offered appreciation for the work undertaken by Officers to achieve the positive results for many of the indicators.  Comments were also made on the indicators relating to empty commercial premises in the Towns and the Director of Place added that the current emergency situation would also contribute to that although plans were in place to encourage and assist smaller businesses to thrive during the recovery phase.  The Chairman also clarified that public realm funding could only be spent on public realm works, and that investigative work was underway to explore the possibility of extending the timeframe for spending this funding as a consequence of the emergency situation.  The Chief Executive referred to decisions made last year with regard to funding for town centre events and the provision of ‘pop-up’ retail opportunities, which would need further consideration once the Council moved into the recovery phase.

            Cabinet were requested to note this report and to approve the increase in the target for SDP21 (Average time from property vacated to property re-let) for 2020/21 from 15 days to 24 days.

            The Cabinet

                        RESOLVED - That

(1)  The report be noted; and

(2)  The performance indicator SDP21 be increased from 15 days to 24 days for 2020/21.

The Cabinet confirmed its decision as per Decision Notice C/001/010620, a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of the Minutes.