Agenda item

To review the attached FY 21/22 quarter 3 Corporate performance report.

M Hassall (ICT Manager) introduced quarter 3 and reported on projects at red or amber status (exceptions). The full report had been reviewed by Stronger Council Select Committee on 18 January 2022. There were eight projects at amber status but none at red status. Seventeen projects had been closed and there were sixteen projects on green status. The KPI data showed comparisons to the previous quarter and this showed that there were eight at green status, two at amber and four at red. Strategy, Delivery and Performance was looking at refreshing the KPIs probably in the same cycle when officers would be looking at the Corporate Plan going forward.

(a)          Project CPP093 Green Infrastructure Strategy

Councillor S Murray stated that he was the Roding ward member and a Loughton Town councillor, and reminded members of his earlier declaration of interest. EFDC had written to the inspector on 21 December 2021 looking for the Roding Valley Recreation Ground (RVRG) to be included in the Local Plan as a SANG (Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace) but he had not been aware of this previously. Loughton Town Council had a 125-year lease on the recreation ground and managed it but, in his opinion, had been marginalised by the whole process. Councillor N Bedford stated he had written to Councillor Murray and reiterated details of this at the meeting. Officers of Natural England had visited the site and it was particularly important the RVRG acted as a further SANG as identified in the Green Infrastructure Strategy. It would also provide sufficient green space for some 520 houses within the Local Plan, which residents would be able to walk to. Councillor D Wixley added that he was the chairman of the Town Council's Recreation Committee but it was unfortunate there had not been a consultation as this could have provided more information because the route of a footpath encroached on areas of the Nature Reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

(b)          Project CPP096 Local Plan

Councillor N Bedford reported that this seemed to be progressing well and the Inspector’s Final Report was expected to be available during 1st quarter of 2022.

(c)          Stronger Communities KPIs – Contracts: % change of leisure centre attendees from previous years quarter, gym visits

Councillor J H Whitehouse commented that Epping Sports Centre was showing a significant decrease in memberships. Although her own membership had finished, she had been surprised that she had not been contacted to renew it. The Leader, Councillor C Whitbread, replied that he would take this up with the Environmental and Technical Services Portfolio Holder, Councillor N Avey, but the District’s leisure centres were being used a lot more now. Councillor S Murray added that school staff had been offered a very good deal on leisure centre memberships.

(d)          Stronger Places KPIs – Contracts Waste: reduction in household waste

Members expressed thanks to the Council’s Waste Management Team over the recent collection of household waste, as well as Biffa whose workforce had experienced staff shortages. It was a hard, physical job and the weather had not been that good, but collections had continued.

RESOLVED:

That the committee reviewed the FY21-22 quarter 3 Performance report.