Meeting documents
Cabinet
Wednesday, 6th April, 2005
Report to Executive
4-Monthly Performance Report
|
Date |
January 2005 |
|
Reporting Area |
Environment |
|
Lead Director |
Sarah Berry |
SCOPE OF REPORTING AREA
Planning Services
Economic Development
Waste Services
Environmental & Consumer Services
Main achievements
B7 Approval by Executive of the Improvement Plan and endorsement by Government Office South West
B7 Delegation Scheme approved and implemented
B7 Status of Development Control Committees formalised at Council
B7 Retail policy issue resolved and pre-Inquiry changes agreed by Council
B7 Interim changes to Service Structure, including Service Business Manager appointment and redistribution of resource to deal with Regional/Sub-regional work, and to project manage the Local Plan
B7 Briefings for Members on new planning system, changes to the Local Plan process and implications of regional planning
B7 Uniform Version 7 upgrade implemented
B7 Bath City Framework - draft vision produced and template agreed
B7 Focus collection scheme handed over to the joint management of the Charter Trustees and Julian House
B7 Public Service Agreement delivery agent selected following interviews (held Jointly with JobCentre Plus)
B7 Future retail policy framework agreed for report to Council prior to public consultation and briefing meetings held with Members and local business community.
B7 Successful Economic Strategy Conference held.
B7 Successful Christmas events in Bath, Keynsham and Midsomer Norton. Christmas lights successfully installed under new contracts.
B7 Draft 05/06 Service plan submitted
B7 Member briefings held with consultants to discuss zero waste strategy and review of options.
B7 Briefing session on key issues held for Planning Transportation Economy & Sustainability Overview and Scrutiny panel to inform terms of reference for February meeting.
B7 Zero Waste Stakeholder workshop - invites sent to key stakeholders for 26th January meeting.
B7 Staff development programme devised for Household Waste and Recycling Centre staff as part of the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) funded support programme.
B7 Contracts for the recycling/disposal of newly defined hazardous waste (cathode ray tubes, fluorescent tubes) developed
B7 Household Waste and Recycling Centre development proposals - a report for Executive member decision has been written detailing a range of initiatives to tackle illegal deposits of trade waste, to minimise waste quantities and to maximise recycling at Household Waste and Recycling Centres. Initiatives include a van permit scheme, a residents ID scheme and limits on the quantities of Construction and Demolition waste that will be accepted.
B7 Rethink Rubbish Campaign - annual leaflet delivered to every household detailing waste services. Draft campaign strategy for 05/06 developed.
B7 Successful in achieving Waste and Resources Action Programme funding to develop real nappy campaign in partnership with neighbouring Local Authorities and being led by the Recycling Consortium. Funding enables an outreach worker for Bath & North East Somerset.
B7 Public conveniences - Strategy implementation on target. Project board set up to oversee project implementation.
B7 Urban public realm - litter reduction plan drafted for consultation.
B7 Signing of Automatic Numbering Plate Recognition Agreement with police.
B7 Trimbridge Reception staff transferred - part of Customer Access programme.
B7 93Freedom from Fear94 campaign - successful seminar to raise awareness, support stress at work national objective and identify practical solutions; partnership event with Union of Shop Distributive and Allied Workers.
B7 93Health and Well Being Days94 - successful events at Twerton and Bishop Sutton; example of multi agency working.
B7 Participation in 93Teenagers to Work94 initiative.
B7 A360K annual saving on mobile phone contract.
B7 Crown Court quashes appeal by taxi driver against revocation of licence; costs awarded to Council (A38,500).
B7 Programme commenced to inspect and repair boreholes.
B7 Food and Trading Standards retain ISO9000 Registration.
B7 Environmental Protection Team officer initiative forces Network Rail to change its national policy on train horn usage.
B7 Executive members agreement on Draft Air Quality Action Plan.
B7 Completion of investigation and maintenance programme of work to thermal water boreholes.
B7 Completion of Licensing Policy Roadshows (major consultation exercise).
B7 Food Standards Agency extends funding for 93Safer Food Better Business94 project.
B7 Successful prosecution of Punch Taverns (Trinity Public House) for health and safety offences - A37,000 fine.
B7 Number of successful seizures of counterfeit goods.
B7 Completion of Licensing Policy consultation.
B7 Office of the Deputy Prime Minister funding secured to support Trading Standards Student.
B7 Seminar (free) on Part P Electrical Regulations for over 100 commercial customers.
B7 Positive response to firework safety campaign.
B7 Mobile phone audit report scores service 4 out of 5 93good.94
B7 Simon Harwood presentation on Growth of Urban Gull Populations to national conference of Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs Wildlife Officers.
B7 Environmental Protection team's Freedom from Fear Campaign commended by keynote speaker at Health and Safety Executive Conference.
B7 Going live with 93Total Land Charges94 (TLC) as part of Uniform 7 upgrade.
Planned Actions not achieved
B7 Whilst way forward for Code of Conduct agreed, final document still not adopted
B7 Negotiations with Bath Western Riverside (BWR) project team regarding payment for legal advice and consultants
B7 Development of proposals for Managed Workspace and Small Sites studies
B7 Refuse Collection methodology review - report now scheduled for February 2005.
B7 Completion of Air Quality Action Plan.
B7 Agreement on Tree Maintenance programme to avoid obscuration of CCTV cameras.
B7 Delayed progress on water safety initiative.
B7 Uniform 7 - disjointed transfer to new software system.
B7 Review of policy limiting number of Hackney Carriages in Bath zone.
B7 Food hygiene course for Turkish speaking food handlers (organised, but no-one turned up!).
Development Opportunities
B7 Implementation of the `End to End' planning module
B7 Potential pilot for customer access with links to Service restructuring
B7 Potential for Council to agree future direction and role of the authority in the Sub-region over the next 20 years
B7 New sub-regional partnership could provide direction and focus for sub-regional working.
B7 Discussion with potential occupants of Riverside proceeding - could yield extensive long term benefits for Keynsham.
B7 Development of managed workspace in conjunction with private sector operators.
B7 Waste Services Manager invited to be part of the Peer Review team specifically for Waste Services in Welsh authorities, commissioned by the Welsh Assembly and Local Government Authority. Excellent opportunity for personal and professional development.
B7 Bids for external funding are being developed with community partners
Community Recycling and Economic Development (CRED) fund - campaign development in partnership with the Recycling Consortium and Ealing Community Transport
B7 CRED fund - appliance reuse centre in partnership with SOFA and South Gloucester
B7 Defra - schools awareness raising on recycling and focussed door to door canvassing in partnership with The Recycling Consortium
B7 Waste and Resources Action Plan - bid submitted to improve recycling rates at the Household Waste & Recycling Centres.
B7 Recycling and Organic Technical Advisory Team - consultancy support on efficiencies in recycling collection methods.
B7 Building Control business opportunity at Southgate.
B7 CCTV camera provision at Southgate, Green Park and Bath Hill East, Keynsham.
B7 Gambling legislation transferring responsibilities from Magistrates to local authorities.
B7 Home Office funding for extension of underage sales campaign.
Potential threats
B7 Bath Western Riverside partnership approach to Masterplan and its timing could adversely impact on Local Plan
B7 Staff morale during period of restructuring could impact on performance during this quarter
B7 High Hedges legislation - still unknown timing and impact on resources
B7 Lack of engagement by Members on the Sub-regional spatial plan proposal
B7 Timescales for adoption of Local Plan dependent on Inspector's speed of reporting
B7 Budgetary constraints restricting ability to participate in sub-regional economic programmes.
B7 Annual Increase in waste arisings forecast at 6% on current tonnage forecasts.
B7 Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (LATS) permit allowances - draft allocations have now been published. The high proportion of trade waste the Council deals with has significant financial implications for Bath &North East Somerset under LATS.
B7 Landfill Directive & Hazardous Waste Regulations affecting how cathode ray tubes can be disposed of from the Household Waste Sites - current guidance and interpretation indicates action needed within one year. This may have significant financial & operational implications on the treatment of TVs, monitors and fluorescent tubes.
B7 Licensing Act 2003 - income v. resource need/demand deficit; Environmental Consumer Services now required to fund additional costs for Democratic and Legal Services.
B7 Meeting DEFRA demands ref. authorised processes inspection regime.
B7 Managing increased workload arising from new electrical safety regulations.
B7 Ability to meet thermal water demands of Spa.
B7 Downturn in housing market impacting on land charges income stream.
B7 New electrical safety regulations - ability of Building Control team to cope with this demand at time when building market very buoyant and service is one surveyor short of establishment.
Update on Corporate Projects
B7 Regional Spatial Strategy response agreed by Executive Member
B7 Draft Streetscape manual produced
B7 Sub-Regional Spatial Strategy currently out for consultation
B7 The Environment Park project has been delayed for 6 months whilst a thorough review of options is undertaken, for Council approval in December/January. This review is underway.
B7 Implementation of public convenience improvement strategy being managed as a formal project. Project board convened.
B7 Stephen Young leading School Meals Review project for Operations Services.
B7 Continuing involvement in corporate projects (Southgate, Western Riverside, Spa, Combe Down Stone Mines) as previously reported.
Sub-Regional Working
B7 Consultation on West of England Vision and Spatial Strategy launched. Members to be briefed in December and consider report at Full Council in January 2005.
2. Reporting on targets and commitments made in the Performance Plan
Summary of Performance
|
Performance Targets |
Planning |
ED |
Waste |
EN&CS |
PALS |
TOTAL |
% |
|
RED |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
|
AMBER |
1 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
11 |
|
GREEN |
14 |
7 |
11 |
4 |
2 |
38 |
81 |
|
NOT KNOWN |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
|
TOTAL |
15 |
9 |
17 |
4 |
2 |
47 |
100% |
|
Ref No |
Indicator |
Best 25% of all English Councils 02/03 |
02/03 actual |
03/04 actual |
04/05 target |
04/05 estimated outturn |
Status |
Comment |
|
WASTE |
||||||||
|
82a |
% of household waste recycled |
10.09% |
19.96% |
20.6% |
23% |
20.3% |
Amber |
|
|
82b |
% composted |
3.73% |
6.14% |
8.2% |
11.1% |
10.8% |
Amber |
|
|
82c |
% used to recover heat, power and other energy |
N/a |
0% |
0.1% |
0.1% |
0.1% |
Green |
|
|
82d |
% landfilled |
35.85% |
73.90% |
71.1% |
65.8% |
68.8% |
Amber |
|
|
84 |
Kg of household waste collected per head |
449kg |
500kg |
497kg |
497kg |
531kg |
Red |
|
|
86 |
Cost of waste collection per household |
A325.66 |
A340.02 |
A342.16 |
A345 |
A345 |
Green |
|
|
87 |
Cost of waste disposal per tonne |
A329.61 |
A346.97 |
A350.48 |
A360.83 |
60.83 |
Green |
|
|
Local 1 |
Cleanliness standards of streets and public open spaces maintained by B&NES |
N/a |
71% |
69% |
72% |
72% |
Green |
|
|
199a |
% of land that is assessed as being clean |
N/a |
10% |
29% |
29% |
28% |
Green |
Sum of 199 a and 199 b = compliant |
|
199b |
% of land that is assessed as having light litter |
N/a |
75% |
44% |
47% |
51% |
Green |
|
|
199c |
% of land that is assessed as having significant litter |
N/a |
10% |
16% |
16% |
14% |
Green |
|
|
199d |
% of land that is assessed as having heavy litter |
N/a |
5% |
10% |
8% |
7% |
Green |
|
|
91 |
% served by a kerbside collection of recyclables or within 1 kilometre of a recycling centre |
99% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
Green |
|
|
Local 86 |
Percentage of graffiti cleared from public buildings within 2 days of reporting |
N/a |
New |
65% |
80% |
90% |
Green |
|
|
Local 87 |
Average time taken to remove fly-tips (days) |
N/a |
3.41 |
1.73 |
2 |
2 |
Green |
|
|
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & TRADING STANDARDS |
||||||||
|
179 |
% of standard searches carried out in 10 working days |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
Green |
|
|
166a |
Score against a checklist of enforcement best practice for environmental health |
89.00% |
89.00% |
96.5% |
90% |
96% |
Green |
Target for 05/06 to be increased to 96% |
|
166b |
Score against a checklist of enforcement best practice for trading standards |
94.95% |
89.00% |
96.5% |
90% |
96% |
Green |
Target for 05/06 to be increased to 96% |
|
Local 6 |
% of environmental health, trading standards and licensing customers rating service as good, very good or excellent |
N/a |
92% |
94% |
92% |
92% |
Green |
|
|
BUILDING REGULATIONS |
||||||||
|
Local 7 |
% of Building Regulations Applications appraised within 3 weeks |
N/a |
92% |
89% |
95% |
98% |
Green |
Dedicated officer renders challenging target achievable |
|
LOCAL ECONOMY |
||||||||
|
Local 12 |
Long term unemployment as a percentage of total unemployment |
N/a |
8.0% |
9.0% |
9.0% |
7.3% |
Green |
In a tight labour market job seeker initiatives have reduced % |
|
Local 13 |
Average level of unemployment in 4 key wards |
N/a |
408 |
390 |
420 |
372 |
Green |
Low levels of unemployment and local regeneration initiatives have reduced overall numbers. |
|
Local 14 |
Numbers of existing businesses advised |
N/a |
380 |
403 |
420 |
440 |
Green |
Activity levels continue to rise at B&NES outlets |
|
Local 17 |
Average annual room occupancy in hotels and guest houses |
N/a |
63.5% |
55% |
58% |
55% |
Red |
Overall tourism volumes yet to recover fully from global downturn |
|
Local 18 |
Average length of stay in hotels and guest houses (nights) |
N/a |
2.0 |
1.7 |
1.7 |
1.7 |
Green |
|
|
Local 19 |
Tourism web-site users ('000s) |
N/a |
272 |
355 |
400 |
400 |
Green |
Development work pending on web site to facilitate links to England net |
|
Local 20 |
Disadvantaged teenagers assisted/trained |
N/a |
84 |
89 |
90 |
90 |
Green |
Targets to be reviewed following LSC contract negotiations |
|
Local 21 |
Number of young people accessing work based learning through Modern Apprenticeship programme |
N/a |
56 |
80 |
90 |
81 |
Amber |
Targets to be reviewed following LSC contact negotiations |
|
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT |
||||||||
|
200b |
If No, are there proposals to publish local plan within 3 years? |
N/a |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Green |
|
|
106 |
% of new homes built on previously developed land Depends on the number and type of applications received each year. On average we expect 55% |
91.68% |
77.61% |
75% (E) |
60% |
65% |
Green |
|
|
Local 56 |
Planning cost per application (A3) |
N/a |
A3638 |
A3655 (E) |
A3683 |
A3680 |
Green |
|
|
109a |
% of planning applications determined within Govt. targets - % within 13 weeks - major developments |
55.00% |
33.30% |
22% |
40% |
50% |
Green |
The estimated outturn is based on latest figures. However the estimate can change significantly due to the relatively small number of applications. |
|
109b |
- % within 8 weeks - minor developments |
63.66% |
57.40% |
58% |
60% |
59% |
Amber |
Whilst we are currently below target it is anticipated that the Improvement Action Plan will assist in it being reached. |
|
109c |
- % within 8 weeks - other developments |
80.51% |
66.45% |
70% |
75% |
76% |
Green |
|
|
204 (New) |
% of appeals allowed against the authority's decision to refuse planning applications |
N/a |
N/a |
30% |
Less than 35% |
30% |
Green |
|
|
205 (New) |
Quality of service checklist |
N/a |
N/a |
New |
72% |
83% |
Green |
|
|
Local 57 |
% of applications determined within 8 weeks |
N/a |
65% |
67% |
70% |
72% |
Green |
|
|
Local 58 |
% of delegated applications determined within 8 weeks |
N/a |
77% |
75% |
78% |
80% |
Green |
|
|
Local 70 |
% applications of works to trees in conservation areas dealt with within 6 weeks |
N/a |
87% |
90% |
85% |
87% |
Green |
|
|
Local 71 |
% of applications for works to trees and woodlands covered by Tree Preservation Orders dealt with within 8 weeks |
N/a |
88% |
85% |
85% |
89% |
Green |
|
|
Local 72 |
% of approved applications subject to negotiations and added value |
N/a |
35% |
37% |
37% |
38% |
Green |
|
|
C1 |
Maximising the use through the planning system of contribution to affordable housing from developers by adopting Supplementary Planning Guidance on affordable housing and by ensuring that it is a key feature within the Local Plan |
N/a |
N/a |
N/a |
Do It |
Completed |
Green |
|
|
C4 |
Review domestic waste collection regimes, methodologies and frequencies |
N/a |
N/a |
N/a |
Do It |
On target |
Green |
|
|
C5 |
The establishment of new City Centre Governance arrangements to tackle cross-cutting issues such as:- B7 Delivery regime for commercial vehicles B7 Access & Traffic flows in and around the core city centre B7 Prioritised options for enhancement to the city centre environment B7 Feasibility plans and estimates for implementing the highest priority project |
N/a |
N/a |
N/a |
Do It |
Achieved |
The achievements under the 04/05 outturn will be establishment of City Centre Governance arrangements and a draft City Centre Framework for action. The work will remain on-going and will identify principles for action over future years. |
|
|
C7 |
Introduction of a scheme to empower nominated staff to impose fines on members of the public who drop litter in public places |
N/a |
N/a |
N/a |
Do It |
On target |
Green |
|
|
180a(i) |
Energy consumption of Council properties - electricity |
85% |
69% |
68(E) |
67% |
100% |
Green |
Not a statutory requirement for 2003/04 - Best Estimate provided. Government has changed basis of measurement since 2003/04 targets were set. Achievement of a lower percentage is improvement. |
|
180a(ii) |
78% |
89% |
88%(E) |
87% |
96% |
Green |
See above |
3. Equalities Targets
|
Service Area |
% of staff from BME communities |
% of staff considering themselves disabled |
Comment |
||
|
Actual |
Target |
Actual |
Target |
||
|
Environmental & Consumer Services |
2.4% |
2.4% |
1.2% |
1.2% |
|
|
Planning |
1.3% |
3% by 2008 |
5.67% |
Remain at above 5% |
The limited turnover of staff impacts on the ability to achieve the corporate targets set regarding BME communities. The Service is working with Human Resources to examine the recruitment process to maximise the potential of reaching all communities. |
|
Economic Development |
6.5% |
4% |
0% |
4% |
|
|
Waste Services |
0% |
To achieve 1% by 2005 |
0% |
To achieve 1% by 2005 |
The low level of turnover and number of staff within the team impacts on the ability to achieve the corporate targets set. The service is working with Human Resources to examine the recruitment process to maximise the potential of reaching all communities. |