Agenda item

(a)       That the levels of progress as detailed within the Council Plan 2022/23 be

noted;

(b)       That the overall performance against Council Plan 2022/23 performance

            indicators/measures be noted; and

(c)        That the explanations given for those areas of underperformance be

noted.

The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) introduced the report to review the levels of progress in the achievement of activities and performance levels identified in the Council Plan.  She advised that the Council Plan 2022/23 was adopted by the Council in July 2022. The report presented a summary of performance of progress against the Council Plan priorities identified for 2022/23 at year end (Q4) position relevant to the Environment & Economy Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

The Chief Officer advised that the out-turn report for the Council Plan 2022/23 showed 78% of activities were making good progress; 61% of the performance indicators had met or exceeded their targets; 11% were being closely monitored, and 25% were currently not meeting target.  The report was an exception-based report and concentrated on those areas of performance which were not currently achieving target. 

The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) reported on the activities which showed a red (RAG) status for current performance against target relevant to the Streetscene and Transportation Services as detailed in section 1.05 of the report, Priority - Green Society and Environment, sub-priority - Circular Economy.

The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) reported on the activities which showed a red (RAG) status for current performance against target relevant to Planning, Environment and Economy as detailed in section 1.05 of the report, Priority - Economy, sub-priority - Business. 

The Chief Officer also reported on the performance indicators (PIs)/measures which showed a red (RAG) status for performance against the target set for 2022/23, relevant to Planning, Environment and Economy as detailed in section 1.08 of the report.  He referred to the Priority - Green Society and Environment, sub priority - Carbon Neutrality/Renewable Energy and the Priority- Economy, sub-priority - Reducing Worklessness. 

Councillor Mike Peers referred to the target for recycling and asked if there were any penalties if targets were not met.  He also referred to the Standard Yard Waste and Recycling Transfer Station which was being used as storage for gritting lorries and asked if the Council had an operating licence to store the vehicles at the site.

Councillor Peers raised questions on the following:

• Page 155: sub priority - Business - Supporting small and/or local businesses to engage with public sector procurement opportunities.  Councillor Peers  said there was no explanation as to why the opportunities to deliver supply chain events did not present themselves during 2022/23.

• page 172:  Delivering the Rights of Way Improvement Plan with a focus to ensure improved access for all and the promotion of walking for health – 100% completed.  Councillor Peers asked if all paths and maintenance were included and there was no restrictions.
• page 176: developing the County’s electric car charging network.  Councillor Peers asked what was the future plan for Flintshire.

The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) responded to the comments and questions raised by Councillor Peers and gave an update on the current position regarding recycling performance, achieving the statutory targets and outturn, the Standard Yard Waste and Recycling Transfer Station and storage of gritting lorries, and electric vehicle charging. 

The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) responded to the questions raised by Councillor Peers on the Rights of Way Improvement Plan and explained that the programme of work for 2022/23 for the improvement of paths had been 100% achieved.   The Chief Officer also provided further information in response to the question concerning engagement of capital projects.

Councillor Glyn Banks expressed concerns around underperformance on the achievement of Welsh Government recycling targets and said he felt more progress could be made on the following services: AHP collections to reduce the waste being sent to Parc Adfer, enforcement and food waste in the bins, awareness raising in schools  regarding recycling, and extending brown bin collections to 12 months. 

Councillor Mike Peers proposed that the recommendation in the report be amended as follows: That the Committee noted the levels of progress within the Council Plan 2022/23 instead of supported and that the Committee noted the overall performance against Council Plan 2022/23 performance

indicators/measures.  Councillor Peers also requested that a third recommendation be included to note the explanations given for those areas of underperformance.  The amended recommendations were moved by Councillor Mike Peers and seconded by Councillor Ian Hodge.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the levels of progress as detailed within the Council Plan 2022/23 be

noted;

(b)       That the overall performance against Council Plan 2022/23 performance

            indicators/measures be noted; and

(c)        That the explanations given for those areas of underperformance be

noted.