Agenda item

Report of the Director for Culture, Strategy and Engagement. To be introduced by the Leader of the Council.

This report is the first of regular updates on the Council’s progress against the commitments and actions outlined in our new Corporate Delivery Plan 2024-26.

The Leader of the Council introduced the report, which was the first regular update on the Council’s progress against the actions outlined in the Council’s Corporate Delivery Plan 2024-26.

In response to questions from Cllr Emery and Cllr Mason, the following information was noted:

-       With regards to performance on reductions in the voids backlog and why this was rag rated green given the negative financial forecast for this area, it was noted that although Housing had cleared all the backlog of voids there were now voids being added on a more daily basis due to the neighbourhood moves taking place into the new builds that were ready.

-       Considering the long-term plan to electrify the Council’s fleet and responding to the query on whether in the short-term vehicles that need to be replaced due to any issues would be with electric vehicles, it was noted that this would be assessed as part of the wider Electrical Vehicle Strategy.

-       Regarding the working assumptions on how the High Road West Scheme would be affected by the change In Lendlease’s European strategy, the Director for Placemaking and Housing responded and advised that the Council were working with Lendlease on next steps and working through the development agreement with them.

-       Noting paragraph 6.41 on the waste strategy and whether this included residents who were living in housing association blocks, it was noted that the Council offer residential waste collection as a statutory requirement regardless of whether residents are in Council accommodation. The managing agent of Housing Association block would usually work with the Council on waste collection. There were properties in Bounds Green with more than one Housing Association and there was work previously done to organise a lead managing agent for waste collection. The Cabinet Member for Resident Services and Tackling Inequality agreed to provide further information on the progress of this arrangement to Cllr Mason.

-       In relation to Bounds Green Play area and the current consideration being given to how the Council can make this more accessible and amenable to local people, it was noted that there was planned equipment replacement and also refurbishment of the play area. An update would be provided in writing to Cllr Mason.

-       Regarding the use and offer of Council vacant properties to community groups such as Food Banks, there was a planned meeting with Cllr Mason and the Cabinet member for Communities where this would be discussed. 

-       There would be a written response provided to Cllr Mason on performance data for domestic abuse offences and whether they can include sexual violence or rape offences. Also, the response will include whether possible to provide data on numbers of offences and age groups and indicate whether residents reporting domestic abuse or sexual abuse get the support needed.

RESOLVED

To note the high-level progress made against the delivery of the commitments as set out in the Corporate Delivery Plan 2024-2026 as at the end of June 2024.

Reasons for decision

Not applicable – regular reporting

Alternative options considered.

Not reporting: This would not allow us to track progress against outcomes that we are committed to in our Corporate Delivery Plan as outlined in section 6.16.

onwards.