Agenda item

Executive considered the Ambition Plan Targets Performance Outturns for the period January to March 2023.

Out of the 31 targets, 18 (58%) were on track, 4 (13%) had achieved their outturn for 2022/23, 1 (3%) had failed to achieve its outturn for 2022/23 and 8 (26%) had been achieved previously.

Referring to CUS.07 - Reduce average relet times for standard voids (council properties) to 20 calendar days by March 2021 and maintain thereafter, the Deputy Leader stated that a complete review of the target was required and a better understanding of the different areas that related to void properties, which had a detrimental impact on the HRA and council tax revenue.

The Assistant Director Housing Management and Enforcement provided an explanation of minor voids and major voids, the staged approach taken to some properties where necessary, and any bespoke works required.  Substantial works carried out to empty properties meant no disruption to a tenant and was more cost effective to the Council.  It also meant a property was meeting the decent homes standard prior to relet, which should require less works if the property became vacant again in around 5/10 years’ time and had been left in good repair.

In 2022/23 the following works had been undertaken to 321 void properties.

• 34 damp proof works
• 61 new wet rooms
• 186 new kitchens
• 44 new boilers, some included replacing the back boiler system
• 100 new bathrooms (not wet rooms)

The Assistant Director Housing Management and Enforcement highlighted that void figures were reducing.  Referring to the same quarter in 2021/22, she noted that minor voids were down from 59 to 42, and major voids were down from 118 to 75.

The Operational Repairs Manager – Dragonfly Developments, added that work to major void properties was undertaken to the standard set by the Council in 2017, further to a major voids review.  Some works were required to be undertaken to regulation standards, for example, electrical regulations 18^th edition, smoke alarms to the latest British standard.  Management voids were also included in rent loss figures, however, these were properties that were empty ready for regeneration, redevelopment, or major capital works, for example, safe and warm.  This was usually around one hundred properties per year.  There were also examples where some tenants had refused major refurbishment works in the past and these had been carried out when the tenant had either moved on or passed away.  Housing had a number of contractors they worked with, some with agreed rates so works could be directly awarded to them, however, depending on their capacity to carry out works in a timely manner, this also impacted on rent/council tax income and void turn around.

The Leader thanked the Assistant Director Housing Management and Enforcement and the Operational Repairs Manager – Dragonfly Developments, for providing the explanation and noted that Executive Members were available to help negotiate some of the difficulties created with procurement and contractor delays etc.

Referring to CUS.03 - Ensure that at least 50% of transactions are made through digital channels by Dec 2024, a Member queried if housing applications had increased since electronic applications were introduced.  The Assistant Director Housing Management and Enforcement advised that housing applications had doubled since going online.  However, as not everyone was comfortable with technology, each contact centre had a designated officer trained on the application form who could sit with a customer in the contact centre and help them complete the form.  Paper forms were still available and, in some cases, when necessary, officers had visited people in their homes to help them complete their application.

The Chief Executive noted that the Council’s new Ambition 2024-2029 would outline the key areas that the Council would focus on during 2024-2029.  All Members would be fully involved in the development and regular monitoring of the performance management framework to support the Ambition.  Workshops in relation to the development of targets would be organised for Members later in the year.

Moved by Councillor Duncan McGregor and seconded by Councillor Clive Moesby

RESOLVED that the quarterly outturns against the Council Ambition 2020-2024 targets be noted.

Reasons for Recommendation(s)

This was an information report to keep Members informed of progress against the Council Ambition targets noting achievements and any areas of concern.

Alternative Options and Reasons for Rejection

Not applicable to this report as providing an overview of performance against agreed targets.