Agenda item

Annual Performance Report

To receive and comment on a report summarising the performance of the Council in 2020/21 against the corporate objectives, priorities and success measures set out in the Annual Plan.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report summarising the performance of the Council during the 2020/21 financial year against the corporate objectives, priorities and success measures set out in the Annual Plan. 

 

The Committee was informed that the Covid-19 pandemic and its associated Government restrictions had had a significant impact on the Council’s services during the year however no adjustments had been made to the agreed project targets and success measures to take these into account.  Notwithstanding this, 70% of the projects contained within the plan had either been achieved or were on track to be achieved.  16% of projects had not been fully achieved or were delayed due to Covid-19.  Of the success measures in the plan, 56% had met the agreed targets and 39% had missed the agreed target due to Covid-19.

 

Key areas of success during 2020/21 had included the delivery of a new leisure centre, the installation of three new playgrounds and a fourth in progress, the successful delivery of the Community Services Partnership with Runnymede Borough Council, collection of 98.70% of the Council Tax owed, the collection of 99.8% of business rates owed and the number of meals at homes served had exceeded its agreed target of 35,000 meals by 75% delivering 61,346 meals over the course of 2020/21.

 

The restrictions due to the pandemic had impacted significantly on Camberley Theatre, the Heritage Service and Community Transport with restrictions on openings and social distancing measures meaning it had not been possible to operate fully. 

 

Arising from the Committee’s questions and comments the following points were noted:

 

·         Although there had been no additional new support available to help residents struggling to pay Council Tax due to the pandemic, the collection rates had held up well.  Where a resident did contact the Council seeking assistance officers were being as accommodating as possible.

·         During 2020/21 there had been a 217% increase in the number of applications for housing benefit due to the pandemic a situation which had initially overwhelmed the Benefits Team assessing claims which had resulted in a substantial increase in workload and this had in turn impacted on the time taken to determine each claim.  Notwithstanding this the Team had responded well to the challenge and the length of time that it took to assess a new claim was now back on target although the number of new claims being received was still double that received in previous years.

·         Whilst there were no Government grants available to support residents struggling to pay their Council Tax bills during the pandemic the Council was taking a proportionate approach with residents who reported problems.

·         The review of the Local Council Tax Support Scheme would be carried out over the summer and would be brought to the Executive in October.

·         It was clarified that the Refugee resettlement programme was a joint scheme run in partnership with Runnymede Borough Council.  Currently 4 families had been rehomed through the scheme and a further family was in the process of being resettled.

·         Information relating to enforcement actions taken in respect of planning breaches would be reported to the Planning Applications Committee on a regular basis.

·         The consultation to help inform that Physical Activity Strategy had commenced and would be continuing over the summer.  It was expected that the Strategy would be brought to the Executive for adoption later in 2021/22.

·         It was agreed that data relating to the number of environmental health complaints received broken down by type and ward would be circulated.

·         It was expected that Community Transport usage would recover following the lifting of the Covid-19 restrictions.

·         The Windle Valley Day Centre would be reopened as soon as possible after the Government lifted the Stage 4 restrictions on the 19th July.  The exact date for reopening would be circulated.

 

The Committee noted the report.

 

 

Supporting documents: