Agenda item

Please be advised that Matthew Henry, Property Services Manager will be present to answer any questions relating to rent arrears on industrial estates/retail/general units.

Duncan Hall, Housing Services Manager will be present to give a presentation and answer any questions on Homes in Multiple Occupation.

The Policy, Performance and Personnel Manager reminded the Panel that the Corporate Performance Monitoring Report was in place to monitor progress against agreed performance indicators for the year. 

Members were advised that 42 performance indicators for 2016/17 had been agreed by Portfolio Holders and Executive Directors as the key performance measures for the year.  The monitoring report highlighted specific performance issues; where indicators had not met agreed targets they were drawn out into an Action Report, which provided additional detail on what actions were being taken to correct performance that had a variance to target.

It was explained that the Quarter 3 monitoring report showed that 48% of targets had been met, and performance had improved against target for 12 indicators during the quarter.

The Vice-Chairman, Councillor Beal explained why the Property Services Manager and the Housing Services Manager had been invited to attend

The Property Services Manager provided an overview of the property portfolio and provided details of specific tenants on industrial estates/retail units who made late payments causing arrears.

In response to questions relating to indicators CO4 and C06, the Property Services Manager explained that in 2009 he took a report to Cabinet requested greater flexibility to deal with tenants regarding rent arrangements.

In response to questions regarding the rates revaluation exercise, the Chief Executive advised that the business rates would reduce in King’s Lynn and therefore not be detrimental to national or individual businesses located in the town centre.  It was noted that single traders under the value of £12,000 were not required to pay business rates.

The Leader, Councillor commented that overall the business rates in the town centre and the BID was reduced therefore the business rates payable would be reduced.  He added that some business would benefit from the revaluation and ensure stability to remain in King’s Lynn.  It would be necessary for BID to adjust their spending accordingly.

In response to questions on reconciliation of accounts in relation to rent payments to the Borough, the Property Services Manager explained that he had a meeting with the Council’s finance team week commencing 27 March to discuss the profiling of invoices and the reconciliation of accounts.

The Property Services Manager responded to questions regarding the deposits paid, schedule of conditions of the property when commencing the tenancy and a schedule of dilapidations when the tenancy ceased.  It was noted that some tenants used the deposit to offset any rent arrears.

The Property Services Manager responded to questions from the Panel on the leasing of the kiosks on The Promenade, Hunstanton.

Following questions on bailiffs being used to recover rent arrears, the Property Services Manager explained that a company was employed by the Borough Council to carry out any required civil enforcement action.  It was noted that prior to any civil enforcement action being undertaken, tenants would receive a telephone call and issued with a final reminder letter to the effect that if payment was not made, bailiffs would be instructed to recover the arrears accrued.

The Personnel Services Manager and the Chief Executive responded to questions relating to:

·         Sections 2.2 and 2.3 of the report, performance improved against target/performance target met/not met.

·         CE14, number of days to process new benefit claims/universal credit.

·         CC2 Average no of working days lost due to sickness absence per FTE employee – long term/short term sickness absence.

·         EP1c% of decisions on applications for major development that had been overturned at appeal, measured against total number of major applications determined.

·         EP2c Process of planning applications – other.

RESOLVED: The Panel reviewed the performance monitoring report and agreed the actions outlined in the Action Report.