Agenda item

To inform the Committee of the performance of the Public Protection Partnership in line with the operating model and business plan and provide an update setting out performance during the first quarter of 2023/24.

The Committee considered the report (Agenda Item 7) which informed Members of the performance of the Public Protection Partnership (PPP) in line with the operating model and business plan. The report provided an update on the PPP’s performance for the first quarter of 2023/24. The Committee worked through the different sections of the report.

Constitutional and Policy Position – Councillor Lee Dillon was pleased to note that the Inter-Authority Agreement and the Committee’s Terms of Reference had been updated to allow attendance from opposition Members. Councillors Nick Allen and Howard Woollaston were welcomed to the Committee.

Finances and Resources – Sean Murphy advised that the latest forecast for 2023/24 was an underspend of £230k. He explained that the underspend had been created deliberately by holding vacant posts, the reduced use of agency staff, from the 2022/23 carry forward and after taking payments from Wokingham Borough Council into account. The income shortfall, which had stabilised, was approximately £98k and this figure was already captured within the underspend.

This underspend would not be carried forward. Instead, the sum would be used to assist with the financial pressures being felt by both Bracknell Forest Council and West Berkshire Council. A zero outturn was therefore being forecast.

Councillor Phil Barnett stated that the underspend was welcome, but wanted to ensure that the PPP’s legal obligations were being adhered to and its statutory functions carried out, particularly when considering the vacant posts.

Sean Murphy assured Members that these requirements remained at the forefront of officers’ minds during budget discussions and in discussions with Portfolio Holders. The necessary expenditure continued on core areas of activity. This included the employment of casual, rather than agency, staff to help ensure that statutory obligations were fulfilled. This included food inspections, housing and licensing work.

Councillor Allen voiced concern that budget pressures could be felt by the PPP in 2024/25 without any carry forward of funds. Sean Murphy advised that work was ongoing to find more permanent solutions to budget pressures. It was noted that the most significant impact on the budget had come from Wokingham withdrawing from the PPP. There was also the ongoing pressure that dated back to the loss of income as a result of Covid-19.

Customer Satisfaction Rates – it was pleasing to note that during Q1, 87% of survey respondents were satisfied with the service they had received. The target had recently increased from 75% to 80%. Councillor Dillon gave thanks to officers for this high area of performance.

Councillor Dillon noted the increase in enquiries from Councillors and local MPs (40 were received in Q1) and queried if the majority of these came from newly elected Councillors. Moira Fraser stated that enquiries came from new and existing Members and explained that the high number of enquiries had continued (37 in Q2). Sean Murphy added that many of these related to private sector housing issues.

Human Resources – Sean Murphy reported that recruitment difficulties continued, most particularly recruitment of qualified officers. There had however been some recent success which included recruiting 2.6 FTE Licensing Officers. This recruitment was being finalised. This had reduced the reliance on agency staff and provided a firm foundation on which to move forward. There had also been recruitment of a qualified Trading Standards Officer.

Sean Murphy then made reference to the target set by the Committee for the PPP to develop its own staff and the progress that had been made. Three staff members had enrolled on a level six apprenticeship and it was hoped they would soon qualify as Trading Standards and Environmental Health Officers. A further four members of staff were undertaking level four (entry level qualification). Two officers were enrolled on masters courses. The progress being made meant the Service was well placed for the future.

Councillor Dillon congratulated the officers concerned.

In response to a query from Councillor Barnett, Sean Murphy confirmed that bespoke personal safety training sessions had been arranged. Personal safety and potential risks to staff were regularly reviewed, and appropriate training held.

Members queried if any of this training pertained to Martyn’s Law. Officers explained that the Bill was still making its way through the parliamentary system and it was not as yet clear where responsibilities would lie. Once this became clearer staff training would be undertaken. Members agreed that an item be added to the Forward Plan to consider the Bill’s progress.

ICT – in response to a question from Councillor Allen, Damian James confirmed that the single system being referred to had proved challenging for some time. Officers had been working very hard to resolve the complex issues caused by the move from three systems to one. However, while some ‘tweaks’ remained to be resolved the system had been running since December 2022 and was in use on a daily basis.

Property – PPP officers would be contributing to the forthcoming review of the use of the West Berkshire estate.

Operational Delivery – Measures of Volume – update noted.

Communication and Engagement – Moira Fraser highlighted the work of officers in schools and in running water safety events during the summer.

Community and Trading Standards (including Customer Services) – update noted.

Commercial (Food Safety and Health & Safety) – it was noted that the food hygiene inspection programme was seriously affected by Covid-19. This was due to both premises being closed and because officers were engaged in Covid related activity. However, progress was being made with the inspection regime of high risk premises.

Rosalynd Gater advised that there was a focus on ensuring that outstanding inspections were undertaken. These were for lower risk premises. Officers were finding that the level of compliance in some premises had reduced. It was felt that this was due to the impact of Covid and cost of living pressures. Rosalynd confirmed that officers were taking formal action where needed.

Councillor Dillon queried if there had been an increase in home cooked food in the delivery market and if these premises were inspected. Rosalynd explained that a number began operating and registering during Covid. While the growth in number had stabilised, some were still open and operating via food delivery companies. Rosalynd confirmed that they needed to be registered.

In response to a question from Councillor Jefferies, Rosalynd Gater explained that some unregistered operators had been identified. In such cases, the premises was inspected, the operator registered and any other necessary action taken.

Rosalynd agreed to provide information to Councillor Barnett on a specific case referenced in the report.

Licensing – the data transfer for Licensing information was substantial but good progress was being made.

As detailed in the report a number of consultation exercises had taken place across the service. The next consultation would concern fees and charges.

Private Sector Housing – Councillor Dillon queried if inspections in this area covered the nature of tenancy agreements as well as the physical condition of a site. Rosalynd confirmed this was the case.

Cost of living pressures were being felt in this area, particularly by smaller landlords who were finding it difficult to carry out maintenance work in the face of rising costs. A particular area of focus in the coming colder months would be on damp and mould, alongside heating costs.

Overcrowding of homes was an issue in some cases. However, it was difficult to take action as there was the risk of tenants becoming homeless.

Councillor Dillon asked whether ‘Private Sector Housing’ was the most appropriate term. Rosalynd acknowledged that reference was often made to Environmental Health Housing issues for both private and social rent. It was agreed that the wording would be amended on future iterations of the report.

Environmental Quality – update noted.

Case Management – update noted. Councillor Barnett was pleased to note that action was being taken where necessary. He felt it was important to show that untoward activity would not be permitted.

Councillor Dillon thanked officers for their comprehensive report.

RESOLVED that:

·         The 2023/24 Q1 performance and the service update be noted.

·         An item would be added to the Forward Plan to consider impacts of Martyn’s Law once it was embedded.