Agenda item

            The Board received a report of the Chief Executive which detailed the first quarter performance management reports on progress against service objectives/milestones and performance targets affecting the services. In line with the revised Council’s Performance Framework for 2012/13 (approved by Executive Board in 2012/13), the Board had been provided with a thematic priority based report; which identified the key issues arising in the following  areas:

 

·         Economic Regeneration (Development and Investment);

·         Environmental (Open Spaces & Waste Management Services);

·         Highways, Transportation and Logistics (Mersey Gateway/Core Strategy, Transport, Bridge and Highway Maintenance, Highway Development, Flood Risk Management);

·         Physical Environment (Statutory Plans and Housing Issues).

 

            In receiving the first quarterly monitoring reports, Councillor MacManus submitted the following questions and the responses given are detailed:

 

1.            Item 1 page 27 - paragraph 2.1.2

            Line 4 makes reference to many homes. “Consultation has begun on a new Biomass plant which is capable of serving the whole of 3MG and many homes and Civic Buildings in Halton”.  Do we have an idea of how many and where they are?

 

Response

 

45,000 homes in residential areas close to the 3MG site, Hale Bank and West Bank could be served by the Biomass plant in addition to the requirements at 3MG. The developers have had initial discussions with the Council in respect of the Civic Quarter and a local housing association to ascertain the likely demand. This will be examined further following the planning process.

 

2.         Item 2 page 30 - paragraph 3 Relating to the Council now being responsible for processing and determining applications to carry out works to certain watercourses -           “There is a fixed fee of £50 per application for consent of works”.  Is the fixed fee determined by the Environment Agency or can the Council increase it?

 

Response

 

The £50 fee is set under legislation following the introduction of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010:

 

Land Drainage Act 1991 (c. 59) Control of flow of watercourses etc.

                                  

Prohibition on obstructions etc. in watercourses

                                  

23 (2)              The drainage board concerned may require the payment of an application fee by a person who applies to them for their consent under this section; and the amount of that fee shall be £50 or such other sum as may be specified by order made by the Ministers.

 

3.            Item 3 page 33 - paragraph 3.1.3. What is the likelihood that we will not get the grant funding towards  the Daresbury Enterprise Zone?

 

Response

 

            The Growing Places Fund has been secured in principal and the terms of the funding are currently being negotiated.  The Regional Growth Fund application has been shortlisted and the outcome will be announced in October.

 

4.            Item 4 page 36 - DIS LI 01 What was the source of the 2012/13 target?

 

            Response

 

            All targets are established on an annual basis taking account of prior and anticipated levels of performance and market trends. The 2010/11 Actual occupancy rate was 81% with new marketing initiates developed in the year 2011/12 to promote these units.  In this particular instance, the economic climate remains very challenging which continues to have an effect upon performance. However, as these are ageing buildings   requiring repair and investment, a paper is being prepared for submission to the Asset Management Working group to review the strategy for these assets.

 

5.            Item 5 page 41 - 2^nd to last paragraph. In relation to ‘poor contractor’ performance what monitoring arrangements are in place?

 

Response

 

            The monitoring of contractors performance is undertaken through monthly progress meetings, regular site inspections and fortnightly programme meetings.

 

6.           Item 6 page 45 – PPT LI 06 What was the source of the 2012/13 targets?

 

Response

 

            The targets against these measures were determined taking account of latest national average planning statistics available from the DCLG. Given existing resources these targets should be considered as aspirational and this area of the Council’s operations is currently the subject to review as part of the Council’s on-going efficiency programme.

 

Typographical errors noted

 

7.            Page 42, PPT 09 refers to 2011/12 programme and March 2012. Are these meant to be 12/13 and March 2013?

 

8.            Response

 

Yes 2012/13 with a deadline of March 2013

 

9.             Page 44, PPT 01 has Feb 2012, is this meant to be 2013?

 

Response

Yes, Feb 2013

 

            Arising from the discussion it was agreed that further information on the Biomass scheme would be forwarded to Councillor Woolfall.

 

            RESOLVED: That the first quarter performance management reports be received.