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Cabinet were presented with a report
highlighting the Council’s
performance across key priorities and projects for Quarter 1
2024/25 and received an update on progress against Cost-of-Living
support for residents and current strategic risks. 
 
A number of
questions were asked in relation to
the report and in particular the Rent Collection Rate which was a
key area of focus for the Council. 
Officers responded as follows:
 
·        
95.4% of Council Homes met the Government’s
decency standards which represented an improvement against quarter
one last year.  A rolling decent homes
capital works programme was in place that would move the Council
closer to 100% decency over the next 12 months.  When compared to other stock holding authorities,
SBC was performing well;
·        
In relation to rent collection, at the end of
Quarter One, 737 tenants were registered to pay their rents by
direct payment with 570 of those tenants in arrears.  Officers were in contact with those tenants to try
and get alternative payment arrangements in place.  This issue was also being closely looked at by the
Housing Executive Working Group;
·        
Officers agreed to look at the way performance
figures were reported including confirmation of cumulative figures
and whether the data provided represented whole numbers or
percentages to ensure the indicators were clear;
·        
In relation to tenant Satisfaction Measure T11
relating to the contribution to neighbourhood, officers explained
that this related to how residents perceived that the Council was
looking after the areas immediately outside of residential
properties.
 
Members were
pleased to note the progress on the delivery of the Making
Stevenage Even Better Corporate Plan including the highlights of
Transforming Our Town, More Social and Good Quality Housing,
Thriving Neighbourhoods, Balancing the Budget and Tackling Climate Change.  Members were particularly pleased to see the
increasing artwork around the Town including the Multi Storey Car
Park mural, the underpasses and media
cabinets.

 
It was RESOLVED:
 

1.           
That
the service performance against 49 corporate performance measures
and delivery of key milestones in Quarter 1
2024/25 through the
Making Stevenage Even Better Programme (Appendix A) be
noted.

2.           
That the performance challenges in relation to rent
collection (section 4.3.2) be noted, and the planned measures to
improve performance be endorsed and that it be noted that the
challenges related to rent collection are not just specific to
Stevenage.

3.           
That improvements to voids works management (4.3.9)
be noted.

4.           
That the strategic risk updates (section 4.7) be
noted.