Agenda item

Mr M Wagner - Chief Analyst was in attendance

1.Mr Wagner presented the Performance Dashboard. The report represented the first report for the 2025/26 financial year. The cover paper was found on pages 17-18 of the reports pack followed by the detailed performance dashboard.

2. It was highlighted that by the end of June, 11 out of the 14 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were rated as green and had indicated a performance at or above the target level.

3. Two KPIs had not met the desired target but would remain above the floor standard and had been rated as amber. One KPI had not met the floor standard (HT02) and was rated as red. The noted red KPI was the ‘faults reported by the public that are not completed in 28 days’ descriptor.

4. A backlog of works were identified following the heavy rainfall and storm events that occurred in May and continued into June 2025.  Monthly performance meetings would be held in an effort to improve the performance across all areas.

5. Demand for the Highway Service, measured by new inquiries, was observed to be below expected levels during the three months leading up to June. The number of potholes scheduled for repair had slightly exceeded the anticipated range.

6. Waste delivered to Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRC) continued to rise. Total waste volumes collected from doorsteps and by district and borough councils had remained within expected levels.

5. Members asked a number of questions on the presentation which included:

a)    In response to a question about July/August trends and potholes repaired within the 28-day period officers noted that the report had been drafted at a time when July’s data had been not fully completed and available. KPIs tracked potholes that were reported 28 calendar days prior to the current month, meaning their expected completion date had fallen within that month.

In June, 1,214 potholes were scheduled for completion, and 95% of them had been completed either during June or earlier. A data analysis tool to measure the pothole metric and aid in greater understanding of the scheduled works was discussed.

b)    It was highlighted that contractors would operate under a standard contract with a particular emphasis on the high-risk term maintenance agreement. All completed works would encompass a 12-month guarantee. If any defects arose within that period, the contractor would be required to rectify them at their own expense.

c)    The majority of KCC repairs had taken place during the summer months, when conditions were more favourable for first-time permanent repairs. Completed repairs were expected to last a decade or more.

d)    Members suggested a clearer and more concise signposting be added to reporting to indicate which repairs had been completed, as well as to identify any temporary repairs scheduled to become permanent to alleviate frustrations from the public and towards KCC. Officers noted the recommendation and highlighted the use of the highways publication media to convey an accurate message across.

e)    Questions directed at KPI EW2 ‘Greenhouse gas emissions’ had demonstrated the success of how the KCC estate had been managed. Concerns were raised on the current administration’s commitment on the decarbonisation strategy and a potential scrapping of Net Zero commitments. The Cabinet Member for Environment acknowledged the concern and responded that KCC would continue to purse best practice.

f)      The impact of named storm events and subsequent floods in Dover and Canterbury were discussed. Members acknowledged the discussion and suggested some improvements were to be made to the data presented at future committees as to not be impacted by data ‘lags’ and look to show percentile impacts in a clear and concise manner.

g)     Members recognised a growing concern regarding the increased number of emergency road and footpath incidents reported across the county. It was suggested that a roundtable offline meeting occur with stakeholders take place to discuss the current impacts and bring back any findings to committee at a later date.

h)    Members returned to concerns on KPI HT02 and suggested that the current proactive drain management was insufficient. Members proposed an improved proactive schedule dedicated to drain clearing be explored. Officers acknowledged a need to change the current service standard to one that reflect ed the desired changes. Further conversations with the respective Cabinet Member would need to occur to discuss the consequences of the any potential changes.

i)      Discussions emphasised concerns on the frequency of drain jetting and the removal of perennial weeds. Members asked that the frequency of these actions such as the twice-yearly removal of weeds be reviewed. Officers acknowledged the requests and suggested further discussions take place to encompass Members requests and review current policy.

RESOLVED to note the Performance Dashboard