Agenda item

To consider a report by the Strategic Planning Team Manager and the Strategic Planning and Performance Team Leader to provide information regarding the Council’s progress in delivering Corporate Plan outcomes as at quarter 4, 2019 to 2020 and quarter 1, 2020 to 2021 (copy attached).

 

The Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill introduced the Annual Performance Review 2019 to 2020 report (previously circulated) for approval which the council was required to publish by October 31 each year under the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2009.

 

In 2019 the report was published in July and included the quarter 4 update on the Corporate Plan. However, because of disruption caused by the Covid-19, the report was delayed, so now also covered quarter 1 where the information was available, and sought in particular to demonstrate how the council had maintained key services, and more, for the benefit of residents during the pandemic.

 

The Annual Performance Review also included case studies and examples of progress against the corporate priorities from the council’s wider portfolio.  This recognised that services carried out important work outside of the Corporate Plan which benefitted residents.

 

The Strategic Planning Team Manager explained that despite Covid-19 the council continued to make good progress with its priorities and noting the impressive flexibility in the way projects and services had adapted to change.  There had been slippage in some timescales, but in the main, projects remained on course to deliver the benefits for communities.

 

Council was guided through the report and provided with a comprehensive update on progress made against each of the corporate priorities. 

 

The five priorities were as follows:

·         Housing – everyone is supported to live in homes that meet their needs;

·         Connected Communities – Communities are connected and have access to goods and services locally, online and through good transport links;

·         Resilient Communities – the council works with people and communities to build independence and resilience;

·         Environment – Attractive and protected, supporting well-being and economic prosperity; and

·         Young People – a place where younger people will want to live and work and have the skills to do so.

 

During discussion, the following issues were raised:

·         Digital Infrastructure 4G access issues – The Chief Executive confirmed that in some rural areas there were connectivity problems. The North Wales Growth Deal would be looking at digital coverage.  Denbighshire’s Digital Officer worked with communities to give them as much information as possible.  Digital coverage was part of the council’s priorities.

·         Online transactions – regarding those residents who did not have access to online facilities, particularly the vulnerable and elderly, libraries, one stop shops and call centres were able to assist those residents.

·         Roads – COVID had a considerable impact on the county’s summary of repairs.  Work had been able to commence on repairs and areas were being prioritised.

·         It was confirmed that a Moorland Officer had been appointed since the Llantysilio fire who was working with NRW and landowners.

·         Residential care – the question of the length of time residents were in residential homes was raised and also whether there had been an increase in deaths due to Covid.   It was confirmed that residential care had been monitored and information was available as to why residents were admitted and why they left.  Some residents passed away and some moved to a higher level of care.  Alternative care was offered to a number of residents.  There had been an increase in deaths in both Homes and the community due to Covid.

·         Resilient Communities – Volunteers within the county had assisted greatly during the Covid pandemic and officers confirmed they were to contact all foodbanks in the county to ascertain how the work was progressing and to inform them of Covid grants which were available.  Denbighshire County Council acknowledged the work carried out by volunteers during this difficult time.  

·         Active travel – Obesity was an ongoing issue.  Public Health were leading on this but it would be a multi-agency approach.

·         The target of 15% reduction in CO2 from energy bills had been met.  Councillor Graham Timms requested how much CO2 was produced and raised the issue of the UK Governments recategorisation.  Councillor Timms also requested how the energy bills were currently.  It was confirmed the information would be obtained and circulated. 

·         Housing of Homeless people during Covid – Councillor Gwyneth Kensler asked whether this would continue and whether they would remain in the accommodation.   It was confirmed that the housing of homeless scheme would continue and people would remain in the accommodation they had been allocated.  Denbighshire County Council had secured funding to provide emergency accommodation and the funding needed to be utilised by March 2021.

·         179 empty homes had been returned to use.  Councillor Kensler asked what was the average time to return to use.  Officers confirmed they would find out the information and circulate it to members.

·         Councillor Eryl Williams stated that the Clocaenog wind farm had now been launched and he understood that a 20% match funding would be required.   Due to the match funding this would limit the amount of projects.  Officers confirmed they had raised the issue with the Panel and that the criteria was in place for projects over £10,000.

·         Care of trees - It was confirmed that there was a list of trees which were under a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) available and if a tree was under a TPO then a cutting down application would need to be submitted to Planning Committee. 

·         Rhyl Community Development – Officers confirmed they were in dialogue with Rhyl BID.

 

 

 

Members paid tribute to all the Welsh Local Authorities who had kept services running during the pandemic.

 

PROPOSED by Councillor Jeanette Chamberlain-Jones to approve the report, SECONDED by Councillor Gwyneth Kensler.

 

A vote took place and it was unanimously agreed to approve the report.

 

RESOLVED that, subject to any agreed changes, Council approve the  Annual Performance Review 2019 to 2020.