Key to performance ratings

Note

Where KPIs are ‘data only’ PIs, the short/long term trend arrows represent whether the numbers are higher of lower than the previous comparison period.

Performance Summary

·         50% (4 of 8) the targetable quarterly key performance indicators (KPIs) reportable to this Committee achieved their quarter 2 (Q2) target¹.

·         Compared to last quarter (Q1 23/24), performance for 62.5% (10 of 16) KPIs have improved, and for 37.5% (6 of 16) KPIs have declined¹.  

• Compared to last year (Q2 22/23), performance for 43.75% (7 of 16) KPIs have improved, and for 56.25% (9 of 16) KPIs have declined¹.

Housing & Health Q2 Performance

Housing & Health Comments (where targets have been missed)

The indicator monitoring the “Percentage of successful relief duty outcomes” achieved an outcome of 33.33% against a target of 40%, therefore missing its quarterly target by more than 10%. The most recently released government data is from January to March 2022, at which point the national average was 38.2% and the Kent average was 33.8%. Therefore, our performance is on par with the average in the area, although the data at the point of release is already dated. Anecdotally, we know that the homelessness numbers have increased more recently, therefore, benchmarking against national league tables, which are twelve months ago, can prove difficult.

As previously reported, applicants who are in priority need and unintentionally homeless, can only be owed the relief duty of 56-days, before they become owed the main housing duty, which gives only a short window of opportunity to relieve homelessness. In the quarter, we undertook a project to clear the backlog of relief-duty decisions, with a far higher proportion of cases having a final decision made in this quarter than usual. When recording this final decision, as the 56-days have passed, only a negative outcome can be selected in respect of the H-Clic data returns sent to DLUCH. As a result, the proportion of successful reliefs will have been significantly impacted and this figure is unlikely to indicate the true picture of work which has taken place.

In addition to this, it is recognised that relieving homelessness is more difficult than preventing homelessness, in particular with restricted access to the Private Rented Sector as a result of unaffordable market rents and an increase in demand for private rented accommodation from those who are not economically disadvantaged. Additionally, Via choice-based lettings (CBL), only limited levels of accommodation are available for those in band H (homeless), or via Direct Lets, given the volume of individuals applying for this accommodation.

In order to reduce the number of individuals in interim/temporary accommodation, these final decisions need to be made in a timely manner, further impacting on this statistic.

The KPI monitoring for "Percentage of successful Prevention Duty outcomes" missed the target by less than 10%, achieving 59.64% against a target of 65%. It's important to note that during July, the team migrated to a new case management system, which resulting in an exceptionally low number of homelessness preventions being successfully closed. This unique circumstance has significantly impacted the figures on this occasion.

The KPI for "Number of households prevented or relieved from becoming homeless" also slightly missed its target, achieving 124 against a target of 125. As previously mentioned, the significant decrease in successful preventions achieved in July has had an impact on this figure.

Environmental Services Q2 Performance

Environmental Services Comments (where targets have been missed)

Public Realm

The KPI tracking "The percentage of relevant land and highways that is assessed as having acceptable levels of litter" missed the target by a margin of 0.78%. Missing the target can be attributed to the inspection of two high-speed rural roads in the North Downs ward, which temporarily fell below the required standard in terms of litter. However, it's  these roads were promptly cleaned just a few days after the inspection, as part of our regular cleansing regimen.

Waste Services

Data for these indicators is provided by Kent County Council, who often have a lag in producing the data. An update will be provided at the next round of reporting.