Agenda item

To enable Members to fulfil their scrutiny role in relation to performance monitoring.

That the report be noted.

The Committee received the regular update report to consider progress towards the delivery of the impacts set out in the 2016/17 Improvement Plan, focussing on the areas of under-performance relevant to the Committee at the end of year.

The Benefits Manager provided an update on homeless households for whom homelessness was prevented for at least 6 months.  She reported that the quarter 4 figure was lower than the rest of the year as some outcomes had rolled over but across the year 89% of cases were prevented or relieved which had exceeded the 87% target. 

The Benefits Manager informed that triage had handled 3,362 cases and that 63% were managed at first point of contact or through wider teams freeing up homeless officer time for those at risk of homelessness.  The Welfare Rights team who have been based with the Citizens Advice Service since September 2016 had generated additional benefit income of £1,579,380 which was less than last year but had exceeded the target for the period.

The Benefits Manager continued that the figures for new claims processing for the year fell just outside the 20 days target due to performance being under target for quarter 1 and quarter 2, however, the figures for quarter 3 and quarter 4 showed improved performance and were within target. Regarding changes of circumstances processing, the Service performed within target for the year.

The Contract Surveyor reported that all contracts were delivered on time and exceeded targets with the exception of the following:

·         The envelope contract (roofing works) was delayed due to work by Scottish Power to replace mains electrical cables, however, this has now been addressed and the contract is back “on track”. 

·         The Off Gas Programme in Treuddyn and Penyffordd was completed last year, but due to low oil prices uptake was low, however, there has been a rise in the demand for gas boilers as the price of oil has increased.  

Councillor Paul Shotton expressed appreciation for the progress achieved in Housing to date.  He referred to the Red Hall development and asked if a completion date had been determined.  Councillor Bernie Attridge explained it was anticipated that properties would be allocated between August/September 2017.   

Councillor Ron Davies asked that the Local Member be informed when any major capital works were being carried out in their Ward.  The Contract Surveyor said that this should already be happening and would look into this to make sure it continued in the future.

The Service Manager (Enterprise & Regeneration) referred to the home renovation loans which were available to repair/improve private sector dwellings through the Council’s capital programme and the Welsh Government’s (WG) national Home Improvement Loans.  He commented that the take up of both loans had been low and was being reviewed with the WG to consider a radical change on how home loans were delivered. 

Councillor Dennis Hutchinson commented that the home loan schemes were not being advertised sufficiently and there was a need to raise greater public awareness.   The Service Manager acknowledged the point made and said more needed to be done to bring properties back into use and to encourage home-owners on low incomes to take up the schemes available.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.