Agenda item

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee to undertake performance management scrutiny:

NI154 – Net additional homes provided

HML05 – Total number of people sleeping rough on the streets

PP53 – Percentage Service requests responded to within three days

ESC09 – Percentage of Fly-tipping incidents removed within two working days of notification

ESCO1n – Total bins/boxes missed in period

Councillor Tim Hadland, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Enterprise and Planning and Claire Berry, Planning Policy and Heritage Manager, addressed the Committee on Performance Indicator (PI) N1154 – Net additional homes provided.   

Councillor Hadland emphasised that the Authority is not in a position to control the PI but can encourage developers to build and bring land forward.  There are currently sites identified in adopted Local Plans, with planning permission or under construction for more than 22,000 dwellings in the borough and immediate surrounding areas; planning is not a constraint on supply in this area; constraints are around the market and infrastructure.  Councillor Hadland added that the Chancellor had announced in his Spending Review 2015 that measures would be taken to remove some constraints including incentives for first time buyers.

The Committee asked questions, made comment and heard:

·         The Committee was advised that a substantial number of housing supply has been identified and work is taking place with developers and land owners to ensure this supply is brought forward for development.

·         There is a need to ensure that home ownership in Northampton is attractive, for example, good employment and education. Northampton Alive is a key contributor.

·         In response to a query why NI154 is monitored if the Authority has no control; Claire Berry advised that the Authority is required to monitor this by central Government. The figure is set in the adopted Local Plan.

·         In response to a concern regarding affordability of homes; Councillor Hadland advised that one of the Chancellor’s recent measures is more support for low cost ownership including other housing tenures such as shared ownership. The more housing that is built equates to more affordable housing being available.

Councillor Hadland and Claire Berry were thanked for providing information to the Committee

Councillor Alan Bottwood, Cabinet Member for Environment, and Julie Seddon, Director of Customers and Communities, addressed the Committee on Performance Indication PP53 – Percentage Service requests responded to within three days.  Councillor Bottwood advised that there had been a slip against this target due to resources being directed towards another indicator; however, resources will be diverted back

The Committee then posed questions and made comment regarding Performance Indicators ESC09 – Percentage of fly-tipping incidents removed within two working days of notification and ESCO1n – Total bins/boxes missed in period:

·         Reported fly-tipping is removed but people continue to fly-tip. The work of the Neighbourhood Wardens was commended.

·         Councillor Bottwood advised that all options to prevent fly-tipping are being investigated; particularly educating people and introducing various campaigns. There is the need for ward Councillor and resident involvement.

·         In response to a query how the data for ESC09 is collated, Julie Seddon advised that this Performance Indicator (PI) is the responsibility of Enterprise who monitor it. This is the most cost effective method of monitoring.  The Partnership Unit also checks and verifies PIs and carries out site checks.

·         It was emphasised that PI ESC09 is in respect of reported incidents of fly tipping.

·         A member of the Committee confirmed that when he had reported fly-tipping it has always been removed; he highlighted the need to educate people.

·         There is a high level of fly-tipping in Northampton.

·         It was confirmed that if there are slippages to the PI penalties are set.

·         Councillor Bottwood referred to ESCO1n and advised that there were 817 missed bins in a month.  1.9 million bins are collected every month; this equates to 0.043%. Performance is good.

·         Annual calendars are issued that detail the dates of bin collections.

·         In response to a query regarding the establishment of how a missed bin is identified; the Committee heard that in-cab technology makes a record whether a bin has been collected.  A bin is only a missed bin if it has been properly presented. A missed bin must be collected within 24 hours.

·         In response to a concern regarding fly-tipping (such as building materials, tree cutting and white goods), in the country side, for example Wootton Field it was confirmed that it is difficult to trace where this has come from.   Julie Seddon advised that this is categorised as semi commercial activity. Notices are put up and CCTV cameras used. Neighbourhood Wardens should be contacted in the first instance.

·         In response to a query regarding the process for issuing Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs); Julie Seddon advised that three notices must be issued – informing the individual, educating them and warning them. The whole process can take at least nine weeks and specific evidence is required. It is a resource intensive process.

·         It was commented that Enterprise has given presentations to Residents’ Associations which were very well received.

·         It was suggested that fly-tipping and the need to educate people is considered at the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programming event in March 2016.

Councillor Bottwood and Julie Seddon were thanked for providing information to the Committee

Councillor Stephen Hibbert, Cabinet Member for Housing, addressed the Committee on Performance Indicator HML05 – Total number of people sleeping rough on the streets.  He advised that the Outreach Team often meets with rough sleepers, offers assistance and signposts them to various organisations and charities. There are currently 20 rough sleepers, of which 12 are Eastern European.

The Committee made comment, asked questions and heard:

·         Rough sleeping can sometimes be a life style choice.

·         It was noted that not all rough sleepers will visit Oasis House and some may have been rejected due to previous behavioural issues.

·         The Chair advised that he had been part of an Overview and Scrutiny Task and Finish Group that had investigated rough sleeping in 2006.

·         Councillor Hibbert commented that a Rough Sleeping Strategy would be included in the overarching Housing Strategy for the next five years

·         Northampton Borough Council works with NASH and the Hope Centre.

·         The Severe Weather Policy for 2015/16 has been produced and Oasis House will be used during severe weather.

Councillor Hibbert was thanked for providing information to the Committee.