The Chairman introduced the report that report summarised the performance in the first two quarters’ of the council’s 25 strategic measures in the performance management framework.

The Chairman informed that the 25 key measures aligned to the refreshed Council Plan with the six strategic priorities detailed in section 2.1 of the report.  The new performance management framework would also feed into the Residents Survey report that is due to come to Cabinet in January 2019. 

Out of the 25 strategic measures 18 (72%) reported in Q2 had met or

exceeded the target (Green), 4 measures (16%) (Amber) were just short of the target and three measures (12%) (Red) were below target.  The Chairman asked for additional information on the three measures reporting ‘Red’.

The Director of Children’s Services reported on the measure percentage of children with a review at 2 to 2.5 years of age.  Cabinet were informed that to get a better connection with social care the authority were one of a few who had decided to undertake these review by using our health visitors.  A number of authorities counted any contact with families as a review, however it had been decided locally only to include face to face contact with families.  Although below target performance had been stable over the last two quarters and the service offered after work evening sessions and sessions on Saturday.  Parents were reporting that they were satisfied with the high quality feedback they got from childcare providers and thus did not wish to take up reviews offered. 

With regards to the number of homelessness preventions through council advice and activity the Chairman asked the interim Head of Housing Services Manager to provide an update. 

Cabinet were informed that in the past it had been difficult to help prevent homelessness but new legislation provided a legal framework and thus a wider range of initiatives were required. 

The Chairman asked for clarification on the main reasons for homelessness within the Royal Borough and was informed that the three main reasons locally were also national reasons; the end of private tenancies, family breakdown resulting in a family member being ask to leave the home and domestic abuse. Within the Royal Borough the high cost of tenancies was problematic.

The Chairman asked how many families required help and that informed that there are usually about 500 approaches.  Not all the families require accommodation sometimes they require advice and support, it was better to help prevent homelessness then having to find accommodation.   The Chairman said that as we were talking about 500 families this could mean over 1000 residents and demonstrated the need for more housing, especially affordable housing, which planning panels needed to be mindful of.  

Cllr Beer addressed Cabinet and said that agenda page 35 showed the number of affordable homes delivered was 32 at quarter two but the emerging Borough Local Plan required well over 400 affordable homes each year. 

The Chairman responded that it took time to produce affordable homes and therefore realistic targets  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6