Agenda item

This report summarises the performance of the Council’s Key measures of Success for October – December (Quarter 3) 2013/14 as set out in the Council Plan 2013/15.

Discussion:

The Committee noted the third quarter performance against the Key Measures of Success used to monitor progress against the Council Plan 2012/2013.

The Assistant Director – Frontline Services introduced the report and answered members questions on the following areas:

• HP 26 – Satisfaction with road maintenance

In response to a Member’s concern regarding the low target level for satisfaction with road maintenance and that this performance indicator had been identified as performing significantly under target for a prolonged period, the Assistant Director – Front Line Services confirmed that the statistics for this particular performance indicator were variable but intermittently reached target as in Quarter 2. The variance in the percentage figures across the various quarters were an indication of the volatility of performance indicators and did little to help Officers accurately assess what was happening. However, he confirmed that the Council was involved in a national highways scheme, the NHTC survey and, of the local authorities involved, Medway was placed eleventh out of thirty six for its road maintenance.

In addition, the Council had run Highway Focus Groups in November 2013 and responses to the issue of satisfaction with road maintenance had indicated that there was more dissatisfaction with maintenance of residential roads than through roads in Medway. A high level of dissatisfaction related to repairs undertaken by utility companies.

In addition, the Council undertook a J Camssurvey each year and this showed that whilst the quality of the road network was reducing, compared with other local authorities in the South East, Medway was placed mid table. Experience of roads in surrounding areas confirmed this.

A member also sought clarification regarding repair works following the gas mains replacement in Gillingham Road between Beresford Road and Windsor Road as residents had been notified that these works were to be undertaken but the works had then not taken place. The Assistance Director – Frontline Services agreed to investigate this location and respond to the member direct.

He confirmed that Officers were working with the utility companies generally to improve the quality of reinstatement works to the highway.

• NI 192 – Percentage of household waste sent for reuse, recycling and composting

A Member drew attention to a problem with the lack of recycling facilities for residents in Council flats.

• NI195c NEW – Improved street and environmental cleanliness – Graffiti

It was explained that this was not a measure of satisfaction but whether graffiti was seen when inspections were undertaken. It was confirmed that there was a low incidence of graffiti on land associated with the public highway.

• SF15 – Percentage of people who feel Medway is safe

It was explained that the reason for the discrepancy in these figures was as a result of the way in which the data was gathered by the Kent Crime Victims Survey. Statistics were therefore gathered from a Citizens Panel Survey in August 2013.

Other more general issues discussed included refuse collection, potholes, removal of flytipping, citizen participation hours and events.

Decision:

The Committee noted the report on the third quarter performance against Key measures of Success used to monitor progress against the Council Plan 2013/15 and the Officer’s response to the various issues raised and requested that:

a)             Officers engage with colleagues in the Housing Section to resolve the issues of recycling in Council flats;

b)         A letter of appreciation be sent to the Friends of Broomhill for the work that they have undertaken on assisting with securing investment at the Broomhill site; and

c)              Officers discuss with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Development and Economic Growth the issue of enhancing the visitor potential of Medway’s markets.