Agenda item

Discussion:

Members considered a report which summarised performance of the Council’s key measures of success for quarter 4 (end of year) 2015/2016, as set out in the Council Plan 2015/16.

Members raised a number of questions and comments which included:

NI156 – Number of households in temporary accommodation - Clarification was sought as to how improvements on this indicator had been reached. The Assistant Director, Transformation stated that the improvement in this indicator was a result of the prevention activity undertaken, the aim of which was to reduce the numbers of people presenting themselves as homeless.

Key Project: New Council Homes for Medway / Homelessness - Whilst completion of one property in quarter 4 should be applauded, significant work was required to increase the number of new homes in Medway.

Whether the Council had given any consideration to the development of Land Trusts. This would enable the Council to grant a leasehold to developers for the provision of affordable housing and the Council would also be able nominate people to live in such housing.The Chief Finance Officer stated that Members and officers had recently visited Wokingham to look at such a scheme and that this type of scheme would form part of the Council’s considerations for future housing provision.

A Member asked if further consideration could be given to “Housing Matters”, the Council’s magazine for tenants and leaseholders, to include more informative articles on the future provision of housing.

A Member expressed concern as to the recent death of a homeless person in Chatham, as reported in the Medway Messenger.

Clarification was sought on the completion date for Centenary Gardens (Phase II). The Assistant Director, Transformation, undertook to report back to Members on this.

It was confirmed that of the 172 affordable homes delivered during the period, that 23 homes had been built by the Council with the remainder being built by private developers.

The Committee expressed disappointment that there were no Housing officers present at the meeting.

Rochester Airport - Clarification was sought on the timelines for the Planning Committee’s consideration of the planning application and a decision on the business case. The Assistant Director, Transformation stated that she would report back to Members on these matters.

Whether the government funding of £4m for the development of Rochester Airport needed to be paid back by a certain date if no development had been undertaken and the impact that this may have on the £4m originally set aside by the Council and subsequently used for other purposes. The Chief Finance Officer indicated that there would be no requirement to return Local Growth Fund (LGF) funding for the Rochester Airport phase 1 infrastructure, as a result of delays in project delivery.

The potential impact of the delay on Rochester Airport Ltd was also discussed.

Referrals to the Local Government Officer (LGO) - Comparative data was requested for future reports so the Council’s performance could be measured against other Local Authorities. The Assistant Director, Transformation, stated that the LGO published an annual report, therefore, it would be possible to include comparative data in future performance monitoring reports.

Delivering fair and responsive services- It was confirmed that Medway Council was in the Stonewall Top 100 Employers for 2016.

Street Scene Enforcement Team - Clarification was sought on the range of fines applicable for flytipping. The Assistant Director, Transformation, undertook to report back to Members on this.

User satisfaction with events – Clarification was sought on whether the Fuse Fesitival was taking place this year. The Assistant Director, Transformation, undertook to report back to Members on this.

The Assistant Director, Transformation, undertook to ensure, in general, that updated information would be included in future reports as far as possible.

Decision:

The Committee noted the quarter 4 end of year 2015/2016 performance against the key measures of success used to monitor progress against the Council Plan 2015/16.