Hannah Doody, Director for Community and Housing, provided an introduction to the performance indicators for her department:

·         CRP 062/SP 035 No of homelessness preventions: highlighted that new legislation comes into effect on 1 April 2018 as a result of the Homelessness Reduction Act.  Work is currently underway to predict the resulting demand on the service and put in place a new IT system to manage this.  Noted that the service will approach the new requirements by establishing a plan for those at risk of homelessness which has to be put in place within 56 days;

·         SP 280 No of active volunteers in libraries: highlighted the high number of library volunteers (above target) supporting the service and how these had recently been thanked at an awards/recognition event; and

·         SP 287 Maintain Library Income: again highlighted that this PI is above target.  Noted the drive to look at using library community spaces to have an impact on health and wellbeing.

In response to member questions, the Director clarified:

·         It was clarified subsequent to the meeting, (for the purpose of the minutes), that the School Library Service is a paid for service.  Demand is declining but as the charge made hasn’t increased for three years this is thought to be a product of a reduced requirement for physical stock and school budgets being reduced;

·         There has been an increase in the number of young people using Merton’s libraries.  This is particularly where they don’t have appropriate space at home and are using the library later in the afternoon for exam preparation.  Usage of library services by children and young people continues to increase through successful membership schemes for primary and secondary schools and proactive engagement through cultural activities such as My Library;

·         Bed and Breakfast accommodation is not an ideal space for temporary provision.  Merton works with a range of other temporary accommodation providers;

·         Merton has a long history of homelessness prevention which has now been made a statutory duty.  This will be approached by working in partnership across the sector, with other providers, to give support to those at risk of homelessness.  Often homelessness results from a change in circumstances for example because of the end of a shorthold tenancy, because a landlord wants to sell a property or due to a drop in income.  The Council will work with those at risk of homelessness to develop specific/tailored plans to meet their needs.  This will include working with those at risk of homelessness for longer than the 56 days required as this is beneficial to all those involved; and

·         Rough sleeper numbers are being carefully monitored.  There is a precise definition of those who are rough sleepers which means data can only be captured late at night or early in the morning.  Numbers of rough sleepers in the borough can often seem higher because of transient numbers during the day many of whom will return to an inner London Borough overnight.  The last count conducted in November 2017 identified five rough sleepers in Merton but this exercise will shortly be repeated.  Noted the support provided to rough sleepers in the borough during the recent spell of adverse weather. Also the advice provided throughout the year on how to access benefits and other forms of advice.

Chris Lee, Director for Environment and Regeneration, provided an introduction to the performance indicators for his department:

·         SP 127 % Parking permits issued within 5 working days: historically this has been a high performing indicator.  However, at the start of this municipal year performance was impacted by a high volume of applications for the newly implemented diesel levy.  As a result, it has been impossible for the position to be completely caught-up.  Arrangements to meet the same level of demand at the start of the next municipal year have been made and tested;

·         CRP 045/SP 118 Income from development and building control and SP 414 Volume of planning applications: income from development and building control is under target and this position is unlikely to be recouped before the end of the municipal year.  This is directly correlated with the fall in volume of planning applications (approximately 500 below target).  The target for planning applications was met last year.  It was noted that the volume of planning applications can be cyclical and that there has been an increase in planning fees which may be having an effect; and

·         SP 040% Market share retained by LA: noted that there has been an increase in the share of building control retained by the authority.  It has been suggested that this is a post Grenfell Tower effect with a shift back to building control provided by local authorities.  If this continues to grow at the same rate next year (20%), this will provide additional income of around £160K which would fund three additional building control officers.  It was noted that income received from building control has to be reinvested in the service.

In response to member questions, the Director clarified (with additional comments from officers as noted):

·         The noted increase in fitness centre participation by 14 to 25 year olds and the number of leisure centre users may be down to seasonal factors (the New Year fitness drive).  However, there is no other detail to explain this increase;

·         Sickness in the parking service was explained as being affected by seasonal factors as workers are out in all weathers and subject to colds etc.  Assaults on staff are also a factor as is chronic long term illness.  However, this performance indicator is skewed more than previously so as a result, action plans are being produced;

·         John Hill, Assistant Director for Public Protection, added that it is important to give managers confidence to address staff sickness issues.   Training is therefore being provided and sickness levels are coming down month on month;

·         It is thought likely that the council will exceed its annual target for the number of new homes; and

·         John Hill explained that the percentage of PATAS cases lost actually represents a fraction of the total number of fixed penalty notices issued and there is no one discernible common issue explaining why these cases have been lost.