HLS8(b)

This indicator had been generally affected by the lack of temporary accommodation and when properties did become vacant, the opportunity was taken to furnish such properties.  The situation was being monitored to ensure that accommodation was fully occupied to capacity.  In response to a question from the Chairman, it was indicated that the Council had currently 10 non-secure housing properties which were prioritised for families. 

L685 & 686

Both of these indicators had been impacted upon by the recent staffing restructure and reorganisation of the Directorate.  It was anticipated that Level 3 would be reached in respect of indicator L685 within the next 6-9 months.

HHA2 & HHA1(a) & 1(b)

Given the correlation between these three indicators and changes in the current economic environment, it was anticipated that the target for 2008/09 onwards was likely to be difficult to attain given the increase in individuals presenting themselves to the Housing Department as homeless.  It was also noted that less properties year on year were becoming available through the Homes4U Scheme.  The Council’s current Housing Strategy assessed the need for 600 units of affordable accommodation required over the next few years.  Given this situation, the Homes4U Scheme was to be reviewed to prioritise the most vulnerable.  Officers were also giving consideration to other forms of temporary accommodation by increasing supply through leasing schemes, encouraging existing tenants of Council housing stock to downsize to smaller properties.  The Council was also looking at its relationship with Registered Social Landlords with a view to obtaining their assistance to relieve the demand for housing accommodation by those who were homeless.

Families currently placed at B&B accommodation were on average in residence for no longer than 3 weeks.

SPP001f(NS8)

Current grant provision from the Welsh Assembly Government had not increased and was unlikely to do so in the near future.

L687

There were a number of issues affecting the performance of this indicator in particular planning and land acquisition issues.  The Council was currently working to promote the Vale Assisted Scheme.  This was a prevention strategy aimed at diverting potential applicants for Council tenancies towards private or other public sector providers.  However, the public were becoming increasingly prepared to wait at least 12 months to obtain a secure tenancy with the Council's Housing Service.

HHA8(a&b)

With the introduction of a more robust prevention strategy it was likely that performance in respect of these two indicators would show an adverse variance. 

PI

Comments

Corrective Actions

L243a

EH responses within 5 days: During the year there had been a change in the way responses to Pest Control were recorded.  Originally the first response was the day the customer was given the date of their first appointment and the name of the officer dealing with their request.  Now the first response was the date the Pest Control officer actually attended the site to carry out the first treatment.

The target had been reduced to a more realistic level for 2008/09 i.e. 80%.

L280

Customer satisfaction: Migration of calls to Contact One Vale had resulted in a reduction in customer satisfaction.  The number of complaints received initially was high but these were decreasing.  It was hoped that this reduction in customer satisfaction was a short term impact which would improve as operators become more familiar with the services and the CRM is integrated to FLARE. 

Work to integrate FLARE with CRM was ongoing.

L370

Green Dragon:  Restructure of Public Protection during the year had increased the scope of the application.  Additional work bringing all Public Protection services up to level 3 had taken place in 2007/08 with a view to all Public Protection achieving level 4 in 2008/09

Audit for  level 4 deferred until December 2008

L371

EH Response to Planning Within 10 days: Increased workload in Pollution Team had impacted on ability to meet the target of 88%.

Target revised to 85% and more effective monitoring was now in place. 

L486

Houses in Multiple Occupation Inspections: The planned inspection programme had been suspended whilst the team was under-resourced due to vacancies and had not resumed until 1^st October 2007.  The number of inspections was therefore less than would have been carried out in a 12 month period.  Further, as a consequence of new legislation, inspections and subsequent paperwork were taking longer to complete.

Target revised.

L487

Caravan Site Inspections: 14 of the 16 caravan sites were inspected. Of the two that were not inspected, one was closed and the other had extensive refurbishment works in progress.  The inspection of the latter site was therefore deferred until April 2008.

No corrective action is required for 2008-2009.

L491

Theft from motor vehicle: This area failed to meet its target by 29 crimes. Whilst detection rates were very high and represented the highest level of detection within the force area, it was recognised that certain prolific individuals were able to commit a “crime wave” prior to being arrested and prosecuted.

Ongoing Crime and disorder initiatives by the Police and the Safer Vale Partnership

L493

Domestic Burglary: This area failed by 88 crimes. This was a challenging target and was based on very good results from 06/07. Again detection in this area was excellent at 31.5% which was by far the best detection rate with the South Wales area. As with TFMV certain prolific individuals were able to contribute significantly over short periods of time prior to prosecution.

Ongoing crime and disorder initiatives by the Police and the Safer Vale Partnership.

L495

Thefts from person: There had been a slight increase in incidents but no discernible pattern or reasons had been identified.

Ongoing Crime and disorder initiatives by the Police and the Safer Vale Partnership.

L 497

Common Assault Without Injury: The area of common assault saw a significant shortfall of 116 crimes, whilst wounding saw a decrease of 89 crimes. Common Assault without wounding nationally had seen a significant increase and had been largely affected by the new crime counting rules resulting in crimes which were not previously recorded were now being counted, even without visible injury.

Ongoing crime and disorder initiatives by the Police and the Safer Vale Partnership.

L 499

Robbery: Again no direct link established for increase of around 10%. The subject was a wide ranging classification and covered everything from Cash in Transit to persons having their handbag snatched. Again new recording rules had contributed to the increase.

Ongoing crime and disorder initiatives by the Police and the Safer Vale Partnership.

PPN/004

Food Hygiene Awards: The requirement for businesses to have documented Hazard Analysis in order to achieve the standard for an award was not being met by many businesses. 

Training to be developed and delivered to local businesses to assist them in achieving the award.

PPN/005aii)

and

PPN/005aiv)

New Businesses Inspected by Trading Standards: The Council had no control over the number of new businesses which would open during a given year - the target was set at the beginning of the year based on an estimate of the number of new businesses expected.

Revised target from 90% to 60%.

PPN/005aiii)

New Businesses Inspected by Animal Health: Animal Health Officer resource diverted from new business inspections to deal with impact of Bluetongue / Foot and Mouth.

None.  Continue to aim to inspect 100% of these types of new business.  However officer resource would always be diverted from these inspections to deal with outbreaks and other emergency situations as required.

PPN/005biv)
and

PPN/005bi)

New Businesses Inspected by Health and Safety: Whilst the Council could issue self assessment questionnaires to new businesses, officers were reliant on them being returned in order to perform well against this indicator.

More reminders to be sent to businesses urging them to return self assessment questionnaires.

PPN/007i)

Significant Trading Standards Breaches Rectified:  Significant breaches identified towards the end of the financial year were rectified after 31 March 2008.

None required.

PSR2

Disabled Facility Grants:  Target delivery time exceeded mainly due to length of time some clients have been on the waiting and also due to long term sickness within the Section.

Sickness issue has been resolved.

Date / Minute No

Recommendations

Date Completed

16^th April 2007: Min. No. 1009 Review of Scrutiny Arrangements (CX)

Recommended -

(2)  That the following 15 recommendations as contained in the Scrutiny Review be endorsed:

(R10)  Explore the feasibility of reducing the size of committee membership.

Smaller Scrutiny Committees' membership approved at the Annual Meeting on 21^st May 2008.

Action completed.

1^st October 2007: Min. No. 378 Penarth Heights - Update Report on Ongoing Maintenance Costs (DLPPHS)

Recommended -

That officers be thanked for the information and a further report be presented on how the matter would be progressed before December 2007.

Progress report presented to the Committee in June 2008.

Action completed.

22^nd October 2007: Min. No. 481 PACT Meetings in the Vale of Glamorgan (DLPPHS)

Recommended -

(2)  That a further report be presented to the Scrutiny  Committee in six months detailing progress made to date within the four wards.

Report presented to Scrutiny Committee in June 2008.

Action completed.

10^th March 2008: Min. No. 886 CCTV in the Vale of Glamorgan - Report of the Task and Finish Group of the Scrutiny Committee (CW&S)

Recommended -

(1)  That the 12 recommendations as detailed below, together with the report, be forwarded to Cabinet for consideration

R1 That consideration be given to include the provision of CCTV in new developments where appropriate through planning conditions or Section 106 Agreements.

R2 That the Council continues at every opportunity to publicise the presence and use of CCTV and its successes to assist the police to deal with crime and disorder in the Vale of Glamorgan.

R3 That a lead officer be designated to take overall responsibility for advice and guidance, in particular on the purchase of equipment for CCTV on Council premises, including schools, throughout the Vale, and prior to any decision being made on the purchase and siting of such equipment.

R4 That the CCTV co-ordinator contacts all departments / schools to offer advice and guidance when considering the installation or upgrading of CCTV equipment.

R5 That any project being undertaken within the Vale of Glamorgan Council be required to consider CCTV requirements within its briefs.

R6 That an annual report be submitted to the Safer Vale Partnership, the Council's Cabinet and the Scrutiny Committee (Community Wellbeing and Safety) in relation to the use of all new and existing CCTV installations throughout the Vale.

R7 That the Lead Officer be responsible for ensuring that effective communications exist between schools and Council premises in the Vale that are not linked to or monitored by the Control Room.

R8 That the data protection principles and the Code of Practice issued by the ICO (Information Commissioners Office) be fully considered and adhered to when installing CCTV on Council premises.

R9 That the Safer Vale Partnership and Cabinet continue to consider the use and location of new CCTV technology throughout the Vale.

R10 That the Council continues to develop close working relationships with the police to ensure strategic monitoring to enable them to use CCTV to greatest effect in combating crime and promoting community safety.

R11 That the Safer Vale Partnership be asked to develop links with the Transport Police in relation to security on railway stations.

R12 That the Vale Auditor's report be presented to Cabinet for consideration at the earliest opportunity.

Reported to Cabinet on 2^nd April 2008.  Cabinet subsequently requested a further report on the implementation of the recommendations. 

Action completed.

14^th April 2008: Min. No. 974 Wales Audit Office Report: Achieving The Welsh Housing Quality Standard (REF)

Recommended -

(2)  That all reports in relation to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard submitted to the Housing Sub-Committee be also presented with the minutes to the Scrutiny Committee.

Now subsumed under Scrutiny Committee Housing and Public Protection. 

Action completed.