Agenda item

Annual Performance Report 2019/20

To receive and comment on the Council’s annual performance report for the 2019/20 municipal year.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report setting out the Council’s performance against the targets contained within the Annual Performance Plan for 2019/20.  Arising from member’s questions and comments the following points were noted:

 

·         Keir continued to work with the Council on the regeneration of the London Road Block however the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic would have an influence over the project and these would need to be better understood before the project was progressed.  It was agreed that more information would be circulated to members.

·         It was confirmed that the Berkley Homes scheme for the old BHS store was progressing and Berkley Homes had now handed back the premises to the Council in line with contractual agreements.

·         Surrey County Council (SCC) had identified a need for two additional transit sites for Gypsies and Travellers in Surrey and work to identify suitable sites was currently underway. 

·         Locally there was an insufficient number of permanent pitches for the number of Gypsies and Travellers currently living in the Borough and the work to identify suitable additional sites not only to meet the current unmet need but also to accommodate projected future need was being progressed through the Local Plan process.  It was confirmed that the Council would be consulting the Gypsy and Traveller community over future pitch provisions and the matter would be raised with the County council in respect of transit sites.

·         Contractors had continued to work on the construction of the new Arena Leisure centre during the Covid-19 pandemic period and it was expected that the new facility would be delivered on time and within budget.

·         It was confirmed that some recyclate was sent to Turkey for processing and the Council did receive money from this.  Any low grade plastics unsuitable for recycling were removed from the waste stream before the plastics were sent to their end destination thus reducing the risk of contamination and rejected loads.

·         Since Surrey Heath became a full Universal Credit area all claims for help with rent were now made as part of a Universal Credit claim by a working age person. The only exceptions to this were claims from working age persons living in bed and breakfast, temporary or supported living accommodation.  The complexity of these claims meant that there were occasions when the 20 day target to assess the claim was exceeded.

·         The average number of days taken to assess a new housing benefit claim in January was 13.15 days, February 17.13 days and March 24.77. In March the COVID pandemic impacted the assessment process as the Benefits Team were assigned welfare calls.

·         This year, to date, officers had investigated the possibility of acquiring five properties.  Of these, it had been decided not to proceed with three because they did not fit the Council’s strategic objectives, one property in the London Road Block would be revisited at a later date as decided that 3 would not be invest.

·         It was confirmed that SCC had assumed responsibility for the SHAPE project and feasibility work on the Land East of Knoll Road project was continuing as SCC looked to rationalise its property portfolio.

·         The committee was informed that community engagement would be incorporated into the development of a Corporate Strategy for the Town Centre which would set out eth Council’s planning, economic, property and investment aspirations for Camberley town centre.

 

The Committee noted the Annual Performance Plan for the 2019/20 municipal year.

Supporting documents: