Agenda item

Councillors are requested to note the Performance figures for the 1^st Quarter of 2016/17 and a copy of the Quality of Life Survey.

In introducing this report, the Service Manager (Performance and Infrastructure) made the following points:

(1)        Although it was acknowledged that there were more indicators below the average than above, there were more travelling in the right direction than the wrong one;

(2)        A great deal more detail was included within the Quality of Life Survey. The Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee had indicated that they were intending that this survey should be used as a greater reference for indicators and for the direction of Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Commission work, in particular the perception within the community of how well or badly a service is performing.

Councillors made the following comments and officers responded to these as follows:

(3)        NH756 Number of Household In Temporary Accommodation for More Than 6 Months – This Performance Indicator was well above target. In response to a Councillor’s question, officers stated that they would investigate whether these figures included households that have changed temporary accommodation and are “re-set” at that point. Action: Alison Comley/Mark Wakefield to investigate

(4)        Bespoke written advice was being given to rough sleepers as part of a preventative approach. However, it was noted that in some cases where rough sleepers were responding, they continued to avoid going into accommodation. Officers stated they could provide more information on this; Action: Alison Comley/Mark Wakefield

(5)        NH617 Percentage of Non-Domestic Rates Collected – As Bristol City Council would be increasingly dependent on these in future, this needed to be greatly improved. It was noted that there was only one member of staff carrying out this work who was finding it difficult to keep up with their current workload;

(6)        NH370 Percentage of Tenancies Sustained Beyond 12 Months (To Include Total Number of New Tenancies) – It was a concern that there had been a reduction in the target for this Performance Indicator;

(7)        BCP123 – Percentage of Household Waste Sent for Re-use, Recycling and Composting – Although this was marked Amber as below target (ie not Red well below target), the cumulative effect of a failure to meet this target had a far worse knock-on effect;

(8)        The direction of travel did not always match the figures. In a number of cases, this could be because the figures had been terrible but were now very bad (for example, food testing). Whilst the direction of travel was good, there still needed to be an indication of the situation. A mechanism was required to pick these up. The Chair indicated that he would speak to officers concerning this. Officers pointed out that, in some instances, the commentary box helped to further explain the situation. In relation to Food testing, it was noted that there was a national regime which required action at a national level to address it. Action: Councillor Negus to speak to Alison Comley/Mark Wakefield

(9)        Whilst the trend in Alcohol Related Admissions was down, the figures were still above average. Bristol Drug Handlers had reported that there were currently 250 cases a month coming to them with alcohol-related problems and that this problem was getting worse. Investigations were needed to examine models outside Bristol;

(10)      Officers drew attention to the data on the website which allowed Councillors to access particular date for their ward. In addition, it was noted that the Exception Survey complimented this.

Resolved that

(1)        the report be noted;

(2)        that actions set out in Bullet Points (3), (4) and (8) be carried out.

Action: Alison Comley/Mark Wakefield