Issue - meetings

The Chief Executive and Director of Customer and Community Services submitted a report on the performance of key indicators relating to Community Scrutiny Committee for the period August to September 2014. 

Councillor N Symonds expressed concern about an increase in the time taken to process Housing Benefit claims and sought assurances that the Council would be employing extra staff to deal with the issue.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services stated that he had discussed this with the Head of Service, adding that additional funding had been agreed to employ more staff to deal with the on-going issue in the longer term and to process claims more promptly.

In response to a query from Councillor S Bull regarding income from Market Traders, (EHPI 11.1 – Rental Income from Market traders), the Director of Neighbourhood explained that this was rental income from stalls and that there had been an increase in traders.

Councillor K Warnell was concerned about the fall in the number of swims (EHPI 3a Usage: Number of swims under 16) and (EHPI 3b Usage: Number of swims 16 – 60 year olds) and the over-performance of gym attendance.  He queried whether the latter was leading to an overcrowding problem and asked whether there was a capacity issue for use of gym equipment or classes.  The Director of Neighbourhood Services stated that these targets had been set for  SLM, the leisure providers at the start of the contract.  He suggested that the Member raise the issue with SLM at the next meeting.

Members received the report.

RESOLVED – that performance figures for August to September 2014 as detailed in the report now submitted, be received.