Carl Gurnell, Team Leader Performance and Scrutiny introduced a report of the Strategic Commissioner, Environment that provided the 2017/18 Quarter 4 (January - March 2018) performance report for the Wirral Plan pledges under the remit of the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The Quarter 4 report was included as Appendix 1 to the report, and provided a description of the progress in Quarter 4 that included available data in relation to a range of outcome indicators and supporting measures. 

The Year End closedown report was included as Appendix 2 and provided a summary analysis of improvement of performance against measures and delivery of Pledge strategy actions as at year end.

The Team Leader Performance and Scrutiny informed that the detailed 2017/18 Action Plan has been included in the report with rationale for any redefined or withdrawn actions identified.

In response to Member questions, the Team Leader Performance and Scrutiny and the Strategic Commissioner: Environment provided additional information on a number of key areas, these included:

• Prevention of homelessness;
• Increasing the number of subscribers to the Council’s Garden Waste Collection Service;
• Additional funding secured for local community groups and organisations;
• Waste recycling performance and the issues surrounding disposal of hard plastics;
• Issuance of Fixed Penalty Notices in respect of littering and dog fouling; and
• Kerbside recycling.

The Team Leader Performance and Scrutiny informed that a number of the indicators face a time lag caused by the availability of data, as they are national data sets requiring validation prior to release and that statistical analysis can be complex in some cases e.g. domestic violence, where a higher reporting figure is considered better in terms of a requirement to raise awareness and increase reporting, whereas more cases of such incidents is clearly worse. He added that in other areas of statistical reporting the Council has to use the best data available, which may in some cases be older data, in which case the report provided additional comment / clarification.

Members requested further detail on a number of areas, namely:

• Validation of data in respect of Homelessness – May 2018 figures;
• Recirculation of the information relating to Garden Waste Collection Service – presented at the recent Budget Option Workshops – and information regarding the Council’s target figures for this service; and
• Expected date for a report to Members on the review into Wirral’s Leisure Services and Leisure and Cultural Assets (currently under development).

The Strategic Commissioner Environment confirmed that a number of the indicators could be affected by a time lag caused by the availability of data, but advised that he would respond to the specific points raised by Members after the meeting. 

Members thanked the Team Leader Performance and Scrutiny and the Strategic Commissioner: Environment for their contributions.

Resolved – That the report be noted.