Issue - meetings

The Performance and Improvement Manager presented the performance monitoring report for the first quarter of 2026/27.

The report detailed the performance of Council services during the quarter.  Strong results had been recorded for a range of services, including Planning, Environmental Services and in respect of workforce measures.  Recycling performance had improved during the period and Building Control had recorded 100 per cent performance in respect of statutory requirements.  The Bromsgrove Community Investment Fund had attracted a lot of applications.  Staff turnover compared favourably with the national average.

There were also areas of performance that were being monitored.  This included fly tipping rates and temporary accommodation. 

In terms of community safety, performance in respect of crime statistics was broadly consistent.  However, provision of data to the Council in respect of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) had been delayed.

Following the presentation of the report, Members discussed a number of points:

·             The potential impact on fly tipping rates of Worcestershire County Council’s decision to no longer accept fridges and freezers from bulky waste collections.  It was noted that the Environmental Services team had already been asked to monitor the potential impact on fly tipping.

·             The reasons why Worcestershire County Council had chosen to no longer accept fridges and freezers.  Members noted that this approach was consistent with many County Councils across the country and a consequence of rising costs for the disposal of fridges and freezers.

·             The extent to which performance in respect of planning enforcement data had been impacted by the new approach adopted by Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS).

·             The impact that the Covid-19 pandemic might have had on fly tipping rates and the extent to which this was still have an impact six years after the pandemic first emerged.

·             The inclusion of RAG ratings in the report.  Members welcomed references to “red”, “amber” and “green”, as applicable, within the report as this helped to clarify the ratings in black and white paper copies of the agenda pack.

·             The hard work of the Business Improvement Team, particularly the Performance and Improvement Lead, on the preparation of the report.  Members thanked the team for their hard work.

During consideration of this item, the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board addressed Cabinet on behalf of the Finance and Budget Working Group (FBWG).  Members were informed that at a recent meeting of the group the performance monitoring report had been scrutinised.  There had been general consensus amongst Members of the group that this was a good report and that Council services were performing well.

RESOLVED that the overview of Quarter 1 performance for the period April to June 2026 against the Council Plan priorities be noted.?