Agenda item

(Copy herewith)

2.1       Cabinet reviewed the contents of the report.

2.2      Cabinet approved for the performance report to the presented to Audit Committee.

Councillor Stone stated that she had noticed contradictions between the Performance and Finance Monitoring reports in respect of licensing fees and asked for clarification. She noted that a number of Hackney drivers were not meeting set standards and asked what could be done to encourage better results. In respect of new start-ups, Councillor Stone suggested that a graph may provide more information relating to their sustainability and how many were still operating. She further suggested a members’ briefing for major projects and expressed her disappointment that Castle House had not appeared as a major development yet.

The Leader explained that talks were ongoing with Northamptonshire County Council regarding Castle House.

Councillor Birch commented on the turnover of neighbourhood wardens and stated that the recent disruptions had had an effect of how residents interacted with them. She questioned whether wardens’ workloads had increased or if they were under any additional pressure. She further noted the lack of visibility of police officers in the town and that crime had increased over the winter period, both had a large impact on residents.

Councillor Larratt, as the relevant Cabinet Member, commented that whilst missed bins rose during December, the number of corrected missed bins also increased. He stated that whilst the number of households in temporary accommodation was a concern, the outcome showed that the work done to address the situation was having a significantly positive effect. Regarding crime, the Deputy Leader explained that whilst the Council had some imput, a multi-service approach was needed. Regarding environmental service and warden requests, the Deputy Leader stated that recruitment had continued to fill gaps in service and he looked forward to the performance indicator improving over the next quarter. In respect of off-licence compliance, he explained that the Enforcement team were finding those who didn’t comply and that the performance indicator showed that the right people were being targeted. He noted the work done in respect of HIMOs being made compliant.

Councillor King commented that theft of tools and aggravated burglary had increased over the quarter and added that Neighbourhood Watch offered direct reports via Twitter and Facebook. Regarding Hackney vehicles, she stated that offending drivers were served notice and required to have defects corrected within a certain time or risk having their vehicles taken off the road.

Councillor Hallam commented that the number of posts for environmental wardens remained the same but that there had been several issues outside of the Council’s control, including a case of misconduct and the death of a warden. He applauded the work carried out by wardens and stated that they were filling the gap in service not received by Enterprise. He further stated that enforcement officers had taken enforcement duties from the wardens, leaving them to carry out more community work.

Councillor Hadland explained that Castle House was not on the major projects update as it was not owned by the Council and no partnership arrangement with the owner was in place.

Councillor Hibbert stated that HIMO income was below target and licences granted were above target but that any anomaly would be resolved when the Enforcement team expanded and started their investigations.

RESOLVED:

2.1      That the contents of the performance report and appendix 1 of the report be noted.