Agenda item

To receive a progress report on  performance against targets for the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) included in this year’s Directorate Business Plan.

1.            The Business Intelligence Manager - Performance, Mr Fitzgerald, introduced a report setting out the progress made against targets set for Key Performance Indicators. This was the second report for the 2016/17 financial year with results up to the end of June 2016.    He said the report provided an insight into the variances. Performance was good with most targets being achieved. Significant variances from target included street lighting, both for LED rollout and maintenance although performance for maintenance had improved since the last report. Country Parks also had a variance for income generated because of a particularly cold and wet June.

2.            Mr Fitzgerald and Mr Wilkin responded to questions by Members as follows:

Ÿ  Mr Wilkin said delays in the LED conversions were caused by supply problems.  A batch of units had to be returned to the manufacturer as they had been delivered in test mode.  The contractor had been running with 10 crews but had increased the crews to 18 to catch up against the programme for roll out.  He undertook to provide advice on the position in Gravesham within the schedule outside the meeting.

Ÿ  Mr Balfour said that there was not enough resource to count the number of people who visited the country parks.  He suggested that as the country parks had undergone a major transformation they should be given the time to settle down.  He asked Members to contact officers with any concerns regarding individual country parks.

Ÿ  Mr Balfour agreed to forward the definition of “Priority faults” referred to in the PROW performance indicator to the Members of this Cabinet Committee. 

Ÿ  Officers and the contractor were praised for the roll out of the LED street lighting conversion.

Ÿ  Mr Wilkin explained that there were two issues regarding the Central Management system for the LED street lighting.  There had been glitches in the system but there was confidence that they could be resolved. Once those glitches were remedied the dimming facility for the LED lighting would be available.  Members were reminded that the dimming of the LED street lighting could be achieved on a street by street basis when the Central Management system was fully operational.  Mr Wilkins considered that this facility would be available by the winter.  Mr Balfour said that requests by residents for LED street lighting to the dimmed would not be brought to this Cabinet Committee.  A progress report on the LED street lighting conversion would be submitted to this Cabinet Committee at the end of 2017. 

Ÿ  Members noted that there was a time lag regarding the data provided in the report.  Mr Fitzgerald agreed to provide the most up to date data available in future reports and look at improving the labelling of the columns and dating the results within the Dashboard.

Ÿ  Mr Balfour explained that Kent Scientific Services was undergoing a restructure.

Ÿ  Mr Fitzgerald said that the number of enquiries for action for highways maintenance was reported as a year to date figure and work in progress as a snapshot. The difference between the figures was therefore roughly the number of enquiries completed.

Ÿ  Mr Hill thanked Members for their comments regarding Trading Standards and said that Trading Standards had forged a strong relationship with Kent Police.  The Chairman said that Trading Standards also kept Members well informed about their activities.

Ÿ  Mr Wilkin explained that selling compost to individual members of was not commercially viable and that he would provide further information outside the meeting.

Ÿ  Appreciation was given for this standard item being brought forward on the agenda to allow a full debate.

3.            RESOLVED that:

(a)  the responses to comments and questions by Members and the report be noted;

(b)  the definition of “Priority faults” be forwarded to Members outside the meeting; and

(c)  a progress report on the LED street lighting conversion would be submitted to this Cabinet Committee at the end of 2017.