Agenda item

(1)       The second Core Monitoring report, updated to include information for the period up to the end of September 2010, was reported to Cabinet on 29 November 2010.  It also incorporated information drawn from the mid-year update of the individual Service Unit Business Plans.  The format and presentation of the information had been modified somewhat with the objective of making it clearer and more concise, and now included data tables and some additional comparative information.  The objective was to pick out a number of key areas of activity rather than seek to provide information about and comments on all of the performance information that was used within the Directorate.   

(2)     The number of complaints had increased significantly compared to the same period in 2009, which was unsurprising given the fact that firstly the total number of enquiries had risen significantly, largely due to the severe weather of early 2010 which caused substantial damage to the network, and secondly there had been a conscious effort by KCC to encourage complaints as a means of improving services.  There was concern about the impact that the current period of sustained bad weather would have on the transport network.  Any serious damage to the infrastructure would inevitably be reflected in measures such as journey time, increased routine highway maintenance demands, and pothole repairs.   

(3)         Most of the data included in the Core Monitoring formed part of the management information that was used, in a variety of forms, by managers and leadership teams within the Directorate.  Data Quality was the subject of a review by audit during 2010 and while the report was still in draft form the conclusions that had been drawn were that key controls were in place and were effectively applied, data was sound, and risks were low.  Where comparative or national data was used as a comparison it was extracted from published information that was already in the public domain. 

(4)         The Core Monitoring report was part of the overall transparency agenda and it was important that it was both clear and comprehensible.  The information set out in the Core Monitoring would change over time.  On 16 December the County Council approved Bold Steps for Kent, and as the actions necessary to deliver this were developed they might well be included in future Core Monitoring reports.

(5)         During debate the following issues were raised:-

(a)                     Mr Manning expressed disappointment at the status of streetlight faults being repaired by EDF, and asked what was being done to improve the service.  Mr Burr stated that response times for KHS was almost at the target of 90%; the response times involving electricity boards were 45.50%.  Mr Burr undertook to supply detailed graphs to the next meeting.

(b)                     Mr Northey referred to the Kent Permit Scheme.  Work being carried out at New Dover Road was causing disruption and at times no-one was on site getting the job done.  Mr Northey asked if a scheme could be introduced to ensure a stricter/tighter timetable.  Mr Burr stated that were no statutory powers which would enable KHS to dictate timetables.  Mr Northey stated that KCC should lobby Government for more power.

(c)                     Mr Harrison referred to the Street Lighting target, and expressed concern that the report was only up until the end November, the period with probably the least street light problems.  He also found it difficult to get repairs to street lights carried out, or to make any contact with his local divisional highways officer within the lighting division.  The report stated that the Member Highway Fund had received 460 applications to date, and Mr Harrison required the latest figure.  Mr Caddick informed Members that the data was, in fact, up to the end of September, not November, and suggested that the Committee reviewed the format and information presented to make it more useful to Members.  Mr Chard acknowledged that the information was out of date due to the timing of the Committee calendar.  He suggested a review of the dates to ensure that the POSC received the report as soon as possible after the information was produced.

(d)                     Mr Whiting stated that it would be useful, if, at the next meeting officers presented a plan of how it was proposed to move those services in red to green.  Mr Chard suggested that an update be submitted to the next POSC, with as much information as possible, to enable a more informed discussion.

(6)    RESOLVED that the information given in the September 2010 Core Monitoring report for Environment, Highways & Waste and the responses given to Members’ questions be noted.