Agenda item

The Area Council Manager introduced the report which related to performance in quarter one of 2019/20.  Attention was drawn to the overview of all performance, which included a number of performance measures to reflect new services which were now online.

Attention was then drawn to the narrative relating to each contracted service. With regards to the service provided by RVS, Members noted a number of areas were rated as ‘amber’ as at the time of producing the report no steering group had been convened. It was confirmed that since that time it had been held. 

The performance of the RVS contract was positive with the revised targets either being exceeded, or on target to be achieved by the end of the year.

Performance against the contract being delivered by YMCA continued to be positive, with 126 sessions being held within the quarter and 33 new children participating.

Members heard how District Enforcement had issued 156 Fixed Penalty Notices, with 29 of these being for dog fouling.  It was noted that figures for dog fouling exceeded that seen in any quarter previously, and notices issued for cigarette end littering accounted for around 69% compared to national figures around 90%. Members commended the performance, and the shift away from focusing on cigarette ends and towards dog fouling.

Those present discussed reports that officers were patrolling on private land and the issues associated with this.  It was agreed that the Area Council Manager discusses this issue with District Enforcement.

Twiggs Grounds Maintenance had supported 6 Central Area Team/Ward Alliance events and led 21 social action interventions across the Central Council Area.  3 different emerging groups had been identified in the quarter and 74 adult volunteers had engaged with the commission, with 21 of these being new.  Performance against the contract as a whole was extremely positive.

Members discussed the performance of the Service Level Agreement (SLA) focused on reducing household fly-tipping.  173 fly-tipping incidents had been reported, in addition to 25 incidents of waste in gardens.  Members discussed whether any notices issued would result in income being returned to the Area Council.  It was noted that much of the work of the officer was proactive and encouraged residents to take responsibility for their waste before any enforcement action was taken.  Often when enforcement action was required, this was undertaken by another department.

With regards to recurring issues related to fly-tipping, Members noted that a workshop had been arranged to discuss these in more detail, which would be supported by relevant officers in the Place Directorate.

Those present considered the performance of the SLA to support new tenants in the private rented sector. It was noted that the officer in post required some training when first in post and subsequently had health issues meaning much of the work undertaken had been desk based.  Members heard how research had helped to identify properties which were new to the market through letting agents, and also through the council tax database.  Now that the officer was fully fit, progress in delivering this SLA was expected to accelerate.

The attention of Members was drawn to the performance of the service delivered by Family Lives.  It was noted that some elements of performance were rated as ‘amber’; this was due to service having yet to receive any referrals when the report had been submitted in July.  Since this time a small number of referrals had been received.  Members praised the number of volunteers being recruited to help deliver the service.  Due to the reliance on volunteers for the delivery it was suggested that volunteer hours for this service be provided in future performance reports.

The Area Council Manager provided an overview of the projects funded through the Central Area Wellbeing Fund, some of which commenced on 1^st June and others on 1^st July, 2019.

138 residents had attended DIAL (Disability Information Access Line) sessions, 5 sessions had been held by ELSH (Employment, Learning and Support Hub), and Hope House had launched a new family support group.

Members heard that TADS (Therapies for Anxiety, Depression and Stress) one to one sessions had been delivered in schools in June and early July, and had recommenced after the school holidays.  Members raised questions about the support for young people resident in the area, but not attending schools in the area.  It was noted that the majority of children would access schools in the area, but for those that did not there may be other provision available.

The Youth Association had received match funding and was now delivering in the Kendray area, and feedback had been positive.

RESOLVED:-

(i)            That the report be noted;

(ii)          That volunteer hours feature in the narrative of future performance report where the service is reliant on volunteers as part of its delivery.