Agenda item

The Executive Member for Financial Sustainability submitted a report updating Members in respect of progress against the Corporate Plan priorities over the 2021/22 year.

The Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy presented a video of the Council’s actions and achievements over the last 12 months. Councillor Curtis asked that a list of bike rack locations could be disseminated to Members.

Councillor Symonds asked if the Launchpad facility included Ware as well as Bishop’s Stortford. The Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy said that the figures included the successful satellite facility in Ware. He said that demand for co-working space was stronger than ever.

The Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy confirmed to Councillor Symonds that a number of venues had been looked at including Jackson Square for small business to move into subject to the key milestones of the Old River Lane development and the planning permissions being determined.

Councillor Devonshire commented on the possibility of improvements to the telephone system. The Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy acknowledged that the telephone system had been an issue and a number of staff had left the organisation in quick succession. He said that replacing staff and training new starters in taking calls took time. He said that four Officers had started in the last 6 weeks and two of these Officers were now trained and taking calls.

Councillor Wilson asked why the targets for the HMO applications had been missed and  what was being done to advert this and what was the likelihood of this occurring again. The Executive Member for Financial Sustainability explained that in 2021/2022 only eight of the twenty four HMO licences were determined within eight months of the receipt of a valid application. He explained that Environmental Health Officers had been prioritising COVID-19 related duties and Officers had also been working with landlords to resolve any problems found during property inspections.

The Executive Member for Financial Sustainability said that the target time had been breached on four occasions whilst landlords carried out further works so that a positive determination could be made where it was known that a landlord was working closely with the Council. He explained that performance was improving now that COVID-19 pressures had dropped and Officers were working closely with genuine landlords. Members were advised that HMOs could be operated by landlords once a valid application had been made so long as there were no serious health and safety risks.

Councillor Wilson asked about the Castle Park project in Hertford and queried the intended completion date. He sought further information about what might happen if lottery funding was not secured in January. He also asked what reduced costs might mean for this project.

The Executive Member for Financial Sustainability said that a report on Castle Park was to be submitted to the Executive on 12 July. He confirmed that the lottery funding was not in jeopardy.

Councillor Rutland-Barsby proposed and Councillor Drake seconded, a motion that the contents of the report be noted and the report be recommended to Council via the Executive.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED - that (A) the contents of the report be noted; and

(B)   the report be recommended to Council via the Executive.