Simon Williams, Director of Community and Housing, highlighted that the department had recently conducted its in year performance monitoring.  This showed success in keeping down the use of temporary accommodation.  Library income collection appears to be down but this is thought to have resulted from the implementation of the new finance system and some misallocation of funds.  Currently, it is too early to be conclusive about the new approach to Adult Education (commissioning).  A full report will be brought to the Panel early in the New Year. 

The Assistant Directors from Environment and Regeneration took it in turns to highlight a performance monitoring measure from their area of responsibility:

·         John Hill, Assistant Director for Public Protection: highlighted that the number of parking permits issued against the target of five working days fell from the usual 90% to 40% in April and May.  This is as a result of a one-off event: the introduction of the diesel levy which has required the automated permit issuing process to be reconfigured.  Until this was achieved, the process wasn’t automated causing the drop in performance.  Now that the automated system has been reconfigured, performance is improving with 70% of parking permits being issued in the five day target;

·         James McGinlay, Assistant Director for Sustainable Communities: highlighted the number of planning enforcement cases closed.  Whilst the backlog was cleared last year, staff leaving means that there are now only 1.5 FTE remaining to deal with enforcement cases pending recruitment of the vacant posts.  This is being addressed by vigilantly monitoring of cases enabling the team to still perform well against the backlog; and

·         Graeme Kane, Assistant Director for Public Spaces: highlighted the increase in fly tipping.  Reported that this isn’t because there has been an increase but that this has resulted from the improvement in data capture and reporting of tips.  Under the Veolia contract, all teams have access to an in cab reporting system that allows data to be captured in real time increasing accuracy.  Proposed that there is a need for this target measure to be reconsidered to ensure that it is meaningful.

In response to questions, the Assistant Directors clarified:

·         John Hill:

o   It hadn’t been possible to better anticipate the change required to the automatic system for purchasing parking permits because it wasn’t clear until very recently whether or not the diesel levy was going to go ahead;

o   How air pollution is monitored is in the process of being reviewed.  This will ensure that how particulate measures are reported is accurate;

o   The PATAS figures aren’t quite accurate in the report.  These should read 59% won, 25% lost and 16% not contested.  To provide a better understanding of PATAS cases, it was highlighted that on average every year 150,000 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) are issued.  Of these 788 were contested last year, 462 were won, 196 lost and 130 not contested.  This illustrates the very small number of PCNs that are lost or not contested; and

o   Use of portable cameras to capture evidence of fly tipping is in its early stages with evidence of positive results.

·         Graeme Kane:

o   Whilst there hasn’t been a noticeable increase in the number of bulky waste collections missed, agreed residents are currently waiting for longer than liked for a collection (4 – 5 weeks).  Highlighted work is ongoing with Veolia to return this to the desired two week timeframe; and

o   Enforcement teams are undertaking activity to prevent fly tipping which includes fining where tippers are identified.  Other activity includes writing to residents to encourage them to dispose of their rubbish through legitimate means and visits to commercial premises to provide reminders that it is a legal requirement to have a waste contract is place and to check this has been set-up.

·         James McGinlay:

o   Difficulties with the building control staffing levels are the result of an aging workforce – this is replicated across London.  Merton is therefore loosing staff to neighbouring boroughs and the private sector.  Work is ongoing with HR to consider remuneration and a recruitment process is underway.