Agenda item

To receive the exceptions report on financial and performance information for the 1^st Quarter of 2010/11.

The Committee received the Council’s performance report for April-May 2010 (periods 1 & 2) and asked a number of questions; the responses of which are recorded below.

BV212 – Average re-let times for local authority dwellings

In response to the Committee’s concern that the average re-let time was 41 days it was noted that the long process (where the computer system bids on behalf of tenants) needed to be shortened. Other factors included that: customers were hard to engage with, only a small proportion of tenants gave the required 4 weeks notice, only 7 out of 10 residents turned-up for arranged viewings, 30-40% of offers of properties were refused and void properties had to be brought up to the decent homes standard before being re-let. 

The period for repairs to be completed, however, had been reduced from 28 to 18 days with potential for this to be reduced further to 12 days.  A new scheme was in place where tenants received up to £250 in vouchers if their properties were left in good states.  There was also the possibility of charging tenants in future for clearing void properties.  It was noted that vulnerable and elderly tenants could have 2 rooms decorated by Homes for Haringey and there was a painting service which all tenants had access to.

NI 65 – Percentage of Children becoming the subject of Chid Protection Plan for a second or subsequent time

The Committee noted that this was below target due to children who moved out of borough and were placed on new plans and then returned to the borough to be placed automatically on a new plan again.  Performance within 10-15% was generally considered to be a high performance level.

Transfer of Care – Mental Health Service users

The Committee requested more information on Haringey’s figures for the delayed transfers of care from hospital including whether mental health service users were included (paragraph 15.11 on page 69 of the agenda pack) (action no. 43.1).

NI 181 - Time taken to process Housing Benefit/ Council Tax Benefit new claims and change events

It was noted that benefits were taking longer to process due to the volume of claims which came through the Call-Centre and so had a knock-on effect. Measures were in place (such as moving benefits staff to the Call-Centre to assist) which were starting to have an impact.

CS2 – Call Centre telephone answering in 30 seconds – of calls presented (all call centre calls)

The performance for June had improved due to reduced volume in calls about benefits and the voice recognition telephone system and shift in working patterns to ensure more staff were available. The Committee expressed concerns about callers waiting up to an hour to be answered and were advised to highlight such cases with the Director of Corporate Resources.

Household Waste

The Committee asked to be informed of the reasons why the household waste target for reuse, recycling and composting had been lowered (action no 43.2).

Budget Monitoring

The Committee noted the £10 million latest forecast of the Council’s overspend position. Whilst external pressure was a factor, Children in Care placements and maintaining a safe service produced much of the overspend. 7.5 million of the overspend was attributed to the Children & Young People’s Service (CYPS), £1.8 million to Urban Environment and £1.3 million to Adults Services.

In response to the Committee’s questions it was noted that the Council’s current account was at the recommended available balance level but if the £10 million projected deficit was not addressed the current account would be emptied.

Children’s Services
In response to questions the Committee noted that early in 2009 there had been a sudden increase of children being taken into care and numbers had been rising consistently since.  Work was being conducted with the Council’s partners to ensure a better management of risk  and to try to keep children with families.

Savings

In response to questions about savings, it was noted that savings made would be used to offset overspends but individual services would still be required to reduce spending.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.