Meeting documents

A  Progress on the Six Priorities

A short headline summary of progress made in 2003/4 for each of the Council’s Six Priorities will be found as follows:  01 Wycombe Regeneration [The Leader]; 02 Transportation and Car Parking [Transportation and Employment]; 03 Housing [Housing]; 04 Youth [Community]; 05 Waste and Recycling [Environment] and 06 Voluntary Sector [Community].

B  Headline Analysis

The full outturn information has been reviewed and here you will find the key ‘good’ and ‘room for improvement’ entries, along with comment and explanation as appropriate.

C  Best Value Performance Indicators:  Consultation

This year we were required to carry out consultation that involved both the ‘general public’ (regarding satisfaction with authority; leisure facilities; museum; arts; open spaces; waste and recycling) and specific ‘service users’ (regarding satisfaction with housing; housing and council tax benefits and planning).

We are still in consultation with the ODPM regarding the degree of weighting that is to be given to our ‘general public’ results hence this is presented in two formats i.e. weighted [w] and un-weighted [u].  This issue is due to be resolved by mid June 2004.

It should be noted that the consultation results represent a ‘snap-shot’ in time and consideration should be given to any commentary so that the results are kept in context.

D  Best Value Performance Indicators:  Quartile Placements

Comparative information from the ODPM for ‘All Districts’ and our ‘Nearest Neighbours’ * for 2002/3 has been used to show how Wycombe compares on the wider national scale.  

Although an indirect measure for the 2003/4 outturns (comparative information for 2003/4 will not be available until end of 2004), this clearly demonstrates some key areas of improvement over the last year, which is very encouraging.

When viewing the quartile placements, especially with respect to those that fall in the ‘worse’ category, care should be taken to consider these in conjunction with the commentary in the Headline Analysis section (see above) to be kept in context e.g. good performance in the last quarter may not be reflected in the overall value for the year.

* Nearest Neighbours = Aylesbury Vale; Basingstoke and Deane; Bedford; Chelmsford; Cherwell; Colchester; Dacorum; E. Herts; Guildford; Horsham; Maidstone; M. Sussex; N. Herts; S. Oxfordshire; St Albans; Surrey Heath; Test Valley; Tonbridge and Malling; Vale of White Horse and Woking

E  Progress on the Six Priorities

(as appropriate)

A full report for each Priority outlining what we have achieved in 2003/4, what difference has this made on the ground for the public and what are we planning to do in 2004/5.

F  Performance Indicators

Full results and future targets for our Community Plan Targets, Best Value and Local Indicators.  Comparative data for ‘All Districts’ and ‘Nearest Neighbours’, along with the name of the Responsible Officer is also given here.

‘All District’

Quartile

2002/3

n= 1

2002/3

n= 1

Best

1

1

2002/3 v 2003/4:  0% Improved    100% Stayed the same   0% Not improved    n=1

Wycombe was one of the early authorities to produce a Community Plan in September 2002.  At the end of 2003/4 only 50% of ‘All Districts’ had such a document in place.

2nd

3rd

Worst

J

Improvement on 2002/3 outturn / above target / other

L

Slip in performance / below target / other

Community Portfolio

2002/3

2003/4 Target

2003/4

Actual

Comment

J

BV 2a

The level (if any) of the Equality Standard for Local Government to which the Authority conforms

Level 4

Level 4

Level 4

Level 4 of the standard has been sustained and embedded across the authority this year.  WDC is the highest ranked authority in the country with respect to this indicator (most other authorities rank 1 – 2)

J

Local C14

Number of equipment bookings from the Community Resource Centre

900

1,000

1,473

Active promotion of this service has led to an increased users and uptake this year.

L

BV 126a

Domestic burglaries per 1,000 households

16.71

14.45

16.90

The actual increase in the burglary rate from 2003/4 is 1.2% [16.71 to 16.9].  At one stage during the early part of this year the increase was running at 70%.  Much hard work went into bringing that increase down to its current level.  Burglary remains a priority for the Partnership and more focused work will be undertaken.  Future year targets have been amended to reflect this outturn.

L

BV 128

[PSA 5]

Vehicle crimes per 1,000 population

[WDC's contribution to the Local Public Service Agreement with Bucks C.C. of 15 by 31/3/2004 and 14.40 by 31/3/2005]

15.35

14.80

16.40

This figure is very disappointing as much targeted work has gone into this crime category over the year.  There will be increased activity in 2004/5 including the introduction of an automatic number plate reader (ANPR) to bring this target inline to meet the PSA target deadlines.

‘All District’

Quartile

2002/3

n= 6

2002/3

n= 9

Best

3

3

2002/3 v 2003/4:  0% Improved    100% Stayed the same   0% Not improved    n=6

The Police Authority was unable to supply an outturn for BV 127 a-d last year and there are still concerns as to the reliability of the data this year.

2nd

1

3rd

2

Worst

3

3

J

Improvement on 2002/3 outturn / above target / other

L

Slip in performance / below target / other

Environment Portfolio

2002/3

2003/4 Target

2003/4

Actual

Comment

J

BV166a

Score against a checklist of enforcement best practice for environmental health / trading standards

70%

77%

90%

Greater progress made than predicted by focusing on specific areas of the checklist over the last year

J

Local CS21

Removal of abandoned vehicles within a specified timeframe = 24 hours

(Also 5 days / 10 days / 15 days / 20 days)

35.7%

31%

45.8%

Improved administration and contractor response has helped to improve performance across the board for this indicator.

J

Improved from 2002/3

BV 82

[a+b]

% Total of household waste recycled and composted

13.67%

20%

[Statutory Target]

16.60%

The combined BVPI for 82a & 82b = 16.60%, as set against our statutory target of 20%, indicating a variance of 17%.  

Implementation and subsequent expansion of the proposed alternate week green waste collection will enable us to achieve the 20% target.  Despite this, our overall performance is upper quartile when compared to all District Councils.

L

Not hit statutory Target

L

Local CS27

Number of Business Units at WDC registered for ISO 140001 (a way of measuring how environmentally friendly we are)

0

8

3

The roll out of this scheme has taken longer than originally anticipated due to the prolonged accreditation process.  It is envisaged that 8 Business Units will be accredited by the end of the current year.

2000/1

2003/4 Target

2003/4

Actual

Comment

K

BV 89

% People satisfied with cleanliness standards

65.4%

70%

65% [u]

66% [w]

J

BV 90 a

% People expressing satisfaction with:  Household waste collection

88%

90%

90% [u]

85% [w]

L

K

BV 90 b

% People expressing satisfaction with:  Recycling facilities

72%

75%

71% [u]

65% [w]

L

‘All District’

Quartile

2002/3

n= 9

2002/3

n= 9

Best

3

2002/3 v 2003/4:  67% Improved    22% Stayed the same   11% Not improved   n=9

Although the outturn for BV 82 places us in best quartile nationally, we have failed to reach the Government target of 20%.

**  Family 12 comparative information for this consultation indicator

****  The Audit Commission view BV 84 as lower the weight, better the quartile

2nd

5

1

Median

2

1

3rd

3

3

Worst

1

1

J

Improvement on 2002/3 outturn / above target / other

L

Slip in performance / below target / other

Housing Portfolio

2002/3

2003/4 Target

2003/4

Actual

Comment

J

BV 66a

Proportion of rent collected

96.81%

96.50%

98.95%

This is an excellent result and using the latest published quartile information for 2003/4 this exceeds upper quartile performance (98.7%)

J

Local H7

To reduce rent arrears below a specified level [% set in June] of the annual debt.

2.8%

[Target = 3.2%]

2.70%

2.34%

This is the best outturn figure for the reduction in rent arrears since 1998.

J

BV183 i

Homelessness:  Average length of stay in B&B accommodation [weeks]

12

12

12

The ODPM deadline that no families should be placed in bed and breakfast accommodation by 31 March 2004 (except for those having to be placed in an emergency for a maximum period of six weeks) was met.

Alternate sources of interim/temporary accommodation are being sought to reduce this figure further over the coming year.

J

PSA 4

Rent Deposit Guarantees

[WDC’s contribution to the County target of 129 by

31 March 2004 and 256 by 31 March 2005]

64

54

99

An unexpected but encouragingly high numbers of households have been assisted by the RDGS over the last year.  This has helped to achieve the interim target for the countywide PSA (129 assists by 31 March 2004) and we are on track to reach the final target of 256 assists by March 2005.

J

BV 184 b

% Change in the proportion of non-decent Local Authority homes over the year

12.8%

11.2%

28.3%

This is the second year for reporting on this indicator and the approach is now more focused.  However, annual percent are likely to fluctuate due to ‘newly’ arising need.  In ‘real terms’ this represents:

1769 =  No of non-decent homes at 1 Apr 2003

  500 =  Dwellings brought up to standard

= 28.3% change

J

Local H3

% Urgent repairs completed within Government time limits

93%

92%

98%

The figures for Local H3 and Local H4 relate to improved working that has been brought about through the new Term Maintenance Contract [TMC]. Closer working with Mears coupled with the new contract conditions, has produced good and more importantly sustainable results over the last year.

J

Local H4

The average time taken to complete non-urgent responsive repairs [days]

26

22

15

K

BV 185

% Responsive (non-emergency) repairs

No outturn reported

No

target

set as system not in place

No outturn reported

No return will be reported this year.  The interface system between WDC and Mears (contractor) was introduced in January 2004 as programmed.

Further testing has been necessary to ensure that the IT data collection mechanisms are robust enough to report on accurately.

[For quartile reporting purposes in the following section the Audit Commission class this as 0%]

L

BV 183 ii

Homelessness:  Average length of stay in hostel accommodation [weeks]

31

30

37

This increase is due to the shortage of move-on/permanent accommodation.  Additional interim/temporary accommodation is being procured in partnership with another (new) private sector leasing scheme provider which should further increase the number of private sector leased properties.

2000/1

2003/4 Target

2003/4

Actual

Comment

J

BV 74 a

BV 74i

BV 74ii

Satisfaction of council tenants with overall service provided by landlord

:  Black and minority ethnic tenants

:  Non-black and minority ethnic tenants

Not Required

60.6%

83.5%

77.6%

60.6%

83.5%

84.3%

77.6%

85.2%

The results for BV 74 & 75 are all very good, showing substantial improvements across the board, following a very high rate of questionnaire return.

J

BV 75

BV 75i

BV 75ii

Satisfaction of council tenants with opportunities for participation in management and decision-making in relation to housing services provided by the landlord

:  Black and minority ethnic tenants

:  Non-black and minority ethnic tenants

72.4%

New  2003/4

New  2003/4

72.4%

New  2003/4

New  2003/4

83.3%

77.4%

84.2%

‘All District’

Quartile

2002/3

n= 13

2002/3

n= 14

Best

3

5

2002/3 v 2003/4:  62% Improved   23% Stayed the same  15% Not improved   n=13

‘Worst’ quartile indicators [183i and 183ii] remain consistent with those identified at the end of 2002/3, and at the six and nine month position this year.  Please view in the context of comments in B above.

It is worth noting that within our Nearest Neighbour grouping, Wycombe is not alone with respect to the return for BV 185. Of the 20 authorities within our group, only 8 made a positive return in 2002/3.

** Family 12 comparative information for this consultation indicator [= Aylesbury Vale; Basingstoke and Deane; Charnwood; Chelmsford; Colchester; Dacorum; Guildford; E. Herts; Maidstone; S. Somerset; St Albans and Tonbridge and Malling]

2nd

3

5

Median

1

3rd

4

1

Worst

2

2

J

Improvement on 2002/3 outturn / above target / other

L

Slip in performance / below target / other

Leisure Portfolio

2002/3

2003/4 Target

2003/4

Actual

Comment

J

BV 170a

BV 170b

BV 170c

b)

Number of pupils visiting in organised trips/visits

a)

b)

c)

d)

2000/1

2003/4 Target

2003/4

Actual

Comment

K

BV 119 a

% of residents satisfied with the local authorities cultural/recreational activities:

(a) Sports and Leisure Facilities

61%

61%

62% [u]

60% [w]

~

BV 119 c

% of residents satisfied with the local authorities cultural/recreational activities:

(c) Museums and Galleries

Not collected in error

~

37% [u]

31% [w]

K

BV 119 d

% of residents satisfied with the local authorities cultural/recreational activities:

(d) Arts Activities and Venues

77%

77%

78% [u]

75% [w]

J

BV 119 e

% of residents satisfied with the local authorities cultural/recreational activities:

(e) Parks and Open Spaces

70%

70%

80% [u]

77% [w]

Results of the survey showed much higher levels of satisfaction that had been anticipated.

‘All District’

Quartile

2002/3

n= 6

2002/3

n= 7

Best

3

4

2002/3 v 2003/4:  57% Improved    43% Stayed the same   0% Not improved    n=7

Outturns for BV 170 (museum) have improved greatly over the year but we are still ‘worst’ quartile in comparison to our ‘nearest neighbour’ authorities

2nd

1

3rd

2

2

Worst

1

J

Improvement on 2002/3 outturn / above target / other

L

Slip in performance / below target / other

Planning Portfolio

2002/3

2003/4 Target

2003/4

Actual

Comment

J

BV 109a

BV 109b

BV 109c

a)  60% of major applications

      determined in 13 weeks

b)  65% of minor applications

      determined in 8 weeks

c)  80% of other applications

      determined in 8 weeks

a) 23%

b) 44%

c) 74%

a) 60%

b) 65%

c) 80%

a) 63%

b) 68%

c) 89%

Performance against BV 109a, b, and c has improved very significantly over the year and has exceeded the Government Target for each application category, notwithstanding increases in all areas of Development Control workload. One factor in this has been relatively stable staffing over the 12 months.

2000/1

2003/4 Target

2003/4

Actual

Comment

L

BV 111

% of applicants satisfied with the service received

83%

83%

77%

The drop in applicant satisfaction levels appears, at face value, to be related to the new working practices that have had to be adopted to ensure that the speed targets set by BV 109 were met (see entry above).  Further analysis is needed to confirm this. Informal benchmarking information suggests that some other authorities have experienced a similar drop but the full picture will not become clear until comparative information is published on a national basis.

‘All District’

Quartile

2002/3

n= 8

2002/3

n= 7

Best

2

4

2002/3 v 2003/4:  57% Improved    14% Stayed the same   29% Not improved   n=7

Please note commentary for BV 109 and BV 11 in section A and B above

2nd

2

0

Median

0

1

3rd

1

1

Worst

3

1

J

Improvement on 2002/3 outturn / above target / other

L

Slip in performance / below target / other

Resources Portfolio

2002/3

2003/4 Target

2003/4

Actual

Comment

J

BV 8

% undisputed invoices paid in 30 days

90.2%

95.0%

97.0%

Strong performance in 2003/4 is expected to continue and improve with the planned introduction of document imaging in 2004/5.

L

BV 78a

BV 78b

BV 78c

a)   Average time for processing new  

      claims [days]

b)  Average time for processing

     notification of changes in

     circumstances (days)

c)   % of renewal claims for rent

       allowance paid on time

a) 24

b) 11

c) 88%

a) 26

b) 10

c) 88%

a) 35

b) 14

c) 72%

Whilst actual performance has not met our own very challenging internal target, it has exceeded the Department of Works and Pensions Performance Standards target.

It should also be noted that the average speed of processing claims in the last quarter = 28days. This represents top quartile performance when compared nationally.

2000/1

2003/4 Target

2003/4

Actual

Comment

L

BV 80 a

Housing and Council Tax Benefits:

Customer satisfaction with:

(a) Facilities for getting in touch

82%

82%

69%

Regrettably, there was a temporary decline in overall performance levels during the survey period, which were attributable to a number of exceptional factors that coincided in timing (major software upgrade; staff turnover problems; sickness of key staff and Jobcentre Plus backlogs).  This is reflected in the lower customer satisfaction ratings. However, it should be noted that the Benefit Section is currently performing at a high level. It is therefore anticipated that future customer satisfaction surveys will see a corresponding improvement in satisfaction rating.

L

BV 80 b

Housing and Council Tax Benefits:

Customer satisfaction with:

(a) Facilities for getting in touch

80%

80%

66%

L

BV 80 c

Housing and Council Tax Benefits:

Customer satisfaction with:

(a) Facilities for getting in touch

73%

73%

54%

L

BV 80 d

Housing and Council Tax Benefits:

Customer satisfaction with:

(a) Facilities for getting in touch

78%

78%

67%

K

BV 80 e

Housing and Council Tax Benefits:

Customer satisfaction with:

(a) Facilities for getting in touch

60%

60%

61%

L

BV 80 f

Housing and Council Tax Benefits:

Customer satisfaction with:

(a) Facilities for getting in touch

72%

72%

55%

‘All District’

Quartile

2002/3

n= 18

2002/3

n= 17

Comments

Best

4

3

2002/3 v 2003/4:  41% Improved    6% Stayed the same   53% Not improved n=17

Please note commentary for BV 78 and BV 80 in section A and B above.

**  Family 12 comparative information for this consultation indicator

2nd

5

2

3rd

8

7

Worst

1

5

J

Improvement on 2002/3 outturn / above target / other

L

Slip in performance / below target / other

Support Services Portfolio

2002/3

2003/4 Target

2003/4

Actual

Comment

J

BV 157

Number of types of interactions that are enabled for electronic delivery as a % of the types of interactions that are legally permissible for electronic delivery

54%

75%

82%

Good progress has been made this year.  It should be noted that we are actually working toward the Government’s official target date for BV 157 of 100% by 31 December 2005 (2005/6), which is later than WDC’s earlier target date of 100% by 31 March 2005 (2004/5).

J

BV 12

The proportion of working days/shifts lost to sickness absence [days]

9.94

6.80

8.53

Although we have not achieved the challenging target set for 2003/4, positive progress has been made in this area over the past year.  An action plan using the Employers' Organisation absence management diagnostic tool to address managing absence has been developed and is being implemented.

J

BV 179

% of standard searches carried out in 10 working days

86%

97%

97%

Performance in this area has improved significantly over the last year, with this outturn being the highest for this indicator since its inception in 2000/1.

L

Local R14

Complaints: % responded to in 10 working days

98%

95%

84%

The method of collection has changed with data now produced from the Servicemail system. For 2002/03 a limited number of services were used to produce the PI. For 2003/04 the Servicemail statistics represent a more comprehensive measure. Consequently, the change in collection method is the principal reason for the variation in performance.

Best Value Consultation Indicators

2000/1

2003/4 Target

2003/4

Actual

Comment

K