The Committee is asked to consider the Performance Monitoring Report.

The Chairman welcomed the Deputy Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance and the Policy and Performance Manager to the meeting for this item.

The Cabinet Member introduced the report which set out the quarterly portfolio-based balanced scorecard performance reports for the fourth quarter of 2016/17 (January – March 2017).

The Policy and Performance Manager pointed out the increase in targets being met to 85%, the highest achievement in many years. The Chairman welcomed this and said this should be recognised by the Council.

Corporate Overview balanced scorecard report for 2016/17 Quarter 4

A Member sought clarification on whether the risk item on workforce skills referred to skills within SBC or Swale in general.  The Policy and Performance Manager agreed to find out and circulate the information to Members.

Environment and Rural Affairs balanced scorecard report for 2016/17 Quarter 4

A Member raised concern about the year-on-year deterioration on the level of household waste sent for refuse, recycling and composting.  A discussion ensued which included the following points:

·         More education on recycling was needed;

·         stickers on bins had caused some people to not use recycling;

·         suggested information to be included in the next edition of Inside Swale;

·         contamination and mixing materials caused issues;

·         lack of communication and education were the main issues;

·         suggested using social media, local radio, detailed leaflets, information stalls at local markets to educate; and

·         some areas of the Borough did not have separate bins.

The Policy and Performance Manager agreed to contact the Waste and Recycling Teams and suggested that the issue could benefit from a committee session involving the Scrutiny Committee and representatives from the Waste and Communications teams..

Finance and Performance balanced scorecard report for 2016/17 Quarter 4

A Member sought clarification on the percentage of Council Tax collected.  The Policy and Performance Manager explained that the amount received during the year was measured, and that national results for this metric were closely correlated with the relative level of deprivation.

Several Members praised the 98.3% achievement on the proportion of invoices paid on time.

Housing and Wellbeing balanced scorecard report for 2016/17 Quarter 4

A Member raised concern at the increase from 95 to 155 households living in temporary accommodation within the last 12 months.  A Member was pleased that the number of long-term empty homes being brought back into use continued to increase.

Committee Members agreed that the Cabinet Member for Housing and Wellbeing should be invited to attend a future Scrutiny Committee Meeting to discuss this.

Planning balanced scorecard report for 2016/17 Quarter 4

There was no discussion

Regeneration balanced scorecard report for 2016/17 Quarter 4

In response to a Member highlighting the lack of control over local procurement, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance advised that there would be a Procurement Workshop for local traders in October 2017.

Safer Families and Communities balanced scorecard report for 2016/17 Quarter 4

A Member questioned the poor collection rate of parking penalty charges.  The Cabinet Member for Safer Families and Communities advised that the figures were distorted as SBC had one of the highest rates of appeal and the figures shown were at first collection.  He added that the parking penalty charges were being looked at.

The Chairman thanked the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance, the Deputy Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance, and the Policy and Performance Manager for their attendance at the meeting.