Agenda item

Medway’s Council Plan 2016/21 sets out the Council’s three priorities. This report and appendices summarise how we performed in Quarter 4 (Q4) of 2020/21 on the delivery of the two priorities relevant for this Committee: Place and Growth.

This report also presents the Q4 2020/21 review of the Council’s Strategic Risk Register.

Discussion:

The Committee received a report setting out performance for Quarter 4 against the Council's two priorities Place and Growth insofar as they fell within the remit of this Committee, along with a review of the Council’s Risk Register.

The Corporate Head of Performance and Business Intelligence introduced the report and drew attention to a new risk SR50 relating to the Housing Investment Fund Project.

• Future High Street Fund - The Committee noted that in December 2020, Medway had been awarded £9.5 million from the Government's Future High Street Fund for investment in Chatham Town Centre. The Director of Place and Deputy Chief Executive agreed to circulate a briefing note detailing the projects/works to benefit from this funding.

• Placing objects on the highway - In response to a question, the Director of Place and Deputy Chief Executive confirmed that the current permit scheme for placing objects on the highway in Chatham High Street was still operational.

• LRCC4a – Number of jobs created and safeguarded - The Director of Place and Deputy Chief Executive advised that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was not unexpected that this particular performance measure LRCC4a (number of jobs created and safeguarded) was currently below target.

• Size and content and presentation of report – Following concern as to the length, content and format of the Performance Monitoring Report and Risk Register, it was suggested that consideration be given to presenting this information in an easier-to-read format. The Corporate Head of Performance and Business Intelligence advised that where text had been included but struck through, whilst this may appear confusing, this had been included so as to ensure transparency and to appraise the Committee of amendments. She advised that she planned to undertake a review of performance reporting and invited Members to pass on any comments and suggestions that they may feel useful.

• City of Culture bid – During discussion on the City of Culture bid, the Director of Place and Deputy Chief Executive referred to the Council’s bid for City of Culture and in particular, the level of community engagement. He informed the Committee that the City of Culture bid video had received 15,000 views and extensive social media interest. Favourable support had also been received from a number of external sources.

·         Medway, a Smart City - In response to questions concerning Medway's Smart City Strategy, the Corporate Head of Performance and Business Intelligence advised that as part of the Smart City agenda, she had undertaken a presentation on the Council’s data plans to the cross-party Member User Group on 5 May 2021, and she offered to talk through the data project with the Member concerned, accompanied by the Smart City Project Officer.

• Cultural events – In response to questions concerning cultural events, the Director of Place and Deputy Chief Executive advised that Medway’s cultural offer was widely available, including non-traditional locations. He also confirmed that Open Space events were a method of engagement.

• EV charging -In response to a question as to the methodology of selecting the location of electric vehicle charging points in Medway, the Corporate Head of Performance and Business Intelligence informed the Committee that the specific location of electric vehicle points had been determined following a full consultation process.

• NI195a Improved street and environmental cleanliness: Litter – alleyways and left bin bags – The Committee discussed issues concerning litter in alleyways in Strood North.

In addition, concern was expressed that in Strood North Ward, after undertaking street cleansing, Medway Norse were leaving black bin bags in the street for collection but on occasion, these had been mistaken by residents as general refuse that had not yet been collected resulting in general household refuse being added. The Director of Place and Deputy Chief Executive agreed to refer this matter to the Assistant Director Front Line Services for discussion with the Member concerning the specific locations where this was occurring.

• Medway Local Plan – In response to a question, the Assistant Director Culture and Community confirmed that the Medway Local Plan was due to be reported to Cabinet in September 2021.

• Redevelopment of the former Civic Centre site and Strood Riverside – It was noted that since the Chief Legal Officer had left Medway Council, the Assistant Director Regeneration had taken on responsibility for overseeing these regeneration projects.

• NI167 – Average journey time along 5 routes across Medway – Following questions concerning performance measure NI167, the Corporate Head of Performance and Business Intelligence asked the Democratic Services Officer to re-circulate the Briefing Note previously supplied in 2018.

·         Cycle routes and deterring motorised/off road motorcycles – Arising from discussion as to the new cycle paths in Darland and Capstone, the Director of Place and Deputy Chief Executive agreed to ask officers to build into future cycle routes preventative measures to deter use by motorised/off road bikes.

• Locate in Kent – It was noted that Locate in Kent would be undertaking a presentation to Members on 29 June 2021.

• Chatham Docks – The Committee discussed the potential development of Chatham Docks in relation to the impact this could have upon businesses currently located at this site.

Decision:

The Committee:

a)    noted the Quarter 4 2020/21 performance against the measures used to monitor progress against the Council’s priorities and the amended risk register set out at appendix 3 to the report.

b)    agreed that a briefing note be circulated setting out the projects/works to benefit from the £9.5 million award from the Future High Street Fund.

c)    requested that the Assistant Director Front Line Services discuss with the Member concerned the issue of litter clearance in alleyways in Strood North Ward and the issues that he has raised concerning Medway Norse’s street cleansing sacks.

d)    noted that the Democratic Services Officer will recirculate the 2018 briefing note outlining the routes used for performance indicator NI167 – average journey times along 5 routes in Medway

e)    noted that the Director of Place and Deputy Chief Executive will request that officers build into cycle route provision preventative measures to deter use by motorised bikes/off road bikes

f)     noted that the Corporate Head of Performance and Business Intelligence has offered to discuss with the Member concerned the Council’s Smart City data plans accompanied by the Smart City Project Officer.