Agenda item

The Business Improvement Manager presented the Quarter One 2026/27 Performance Report.

Members were informed that key performance highlights included the continued delivery of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) grants, with seventy-four per cent of funding either spent or committed. Strong performance had also been achieved within Planning, with one hundred per cent of major applications and ninety-two point nine per cent of other applications determined within the relevant timescales, both exceeding Government targets.

The Committee was advised that Council Tax and Business Rates collection rates remained on target and that homelessness prevention activity had increased. It was reported that, despite an increase in the number of households in temporary accommodation, no families had been placed in bed and breakfast accommodation for longer than six weeks. Increased enforcement activity was also reported, while levels of fly-tipping had remained broadly stable. Updates were additionally provided in respect of Building Control performance and work being undertaken to address anti-social behaviour hotspots.

The Committee noted the positive overall performance position for Quarter One.

Following the presentation of the report, Members commented on the below points:

• Members expressed concerns regarding enforcement activity relating to fly-tipping as well as anti-social behaviour (ASB) and parking enforcement. It was acknowledged that Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) was responsible for dealing with some of these issues. The importance of ensuring adequate resources were available to address these problems was emphasised.
• The Committee discussed performance in Homelessness and Housing Solutions Services and noted that complaints performance was significantly below target.  Officers recognised this and advised that this was in respect of homelessness complaints.  Members were advised that recruitment and staffing challenges had contributed to capacity pressures, although action was being implemented to improve the service, including the recruitment of a Homelessness Manager. Members recognised the challenging nature of homelessness work and the difficult circumstances faced by both service users and staff. The importance of supporting and retaining staff within the service was highlighted.
• In respect of temporary accommodation, Members were informed that, whilst the Council was a lower achiever in respect of the number of households with children placed in temporary accommodation, the remaining homelessness performance measures remained higher or comparable with neighbouring authorities.
• Concerns were raised regarding a reported increase in ASB incidents in the Winyates area. Members supported a multi-agency approach involving the Council, Police, Housing Services and other partners to address identified hotspots. The Committee was advised that a number of partnership initiatives were already underway in Winyates, including community walkabouts, consideration of CCTV and improvements to stairwells. Whilst incidents had increased, officers confirmed that the issue was being actively monitored and addressed.
• Members discussed fly-tipping trends and the importance of understanding the types of waste being illegally dumped in order to inform targeted interventions. Officers advised that data on locations and the nature of incidents was collected and shared with WRS to support enforcement activity and identify patterns.
• The Committee also discussed opportunities to reduce fly-tipping through greater promotion of the Council's bulky waste collection service and by publicising enforcement action as a deterrent. Members noted the importance of encouraging residents to dispose of waste responsibly while highlighting the consequences of fly-tipping.

RESOLVED that the overview of Quarter 1 performance for the period April to June 2026 against the Council Plan priorities be noted.