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

·         75.0% (6 of 8) the targetable quarterly key performance indicators (KPIs) reportable to this Committee achieved their quarter 3 (Q3) target¹.

·         Compared to last quarter (Q2 23/24), performance for 47.4% (9 of 19) KPIs have improved, and for 47.4% (9 of 19) KPIs have declined¹.  

• Compared to last year (Q3 22/23), performance for 57.9% (11 of 19) KPIs have improved, and for 42.1% (8 of 19) KPIs have declined¹.

Housing & Health Q3 Performance

Number of households living in temporary accommodation last night of the month (NI 156 & SDL 009-00)

At quarter two’s Committee, members requested trend data for this KPI. The below graph tracks this data over time to give a better contextual picture.

Housing & Health Comments (where targets have been missed)

Housing

The KPI tracking the “Percentage of successful Prevention Duty outcomes” missed its target slightly, achieving 63.2% against a target of 65.0%. Homelessness prevention is a priority for the Council and close monitoring is taking place of this data. Analysis of the results for quarter three show:

• 13 individuals had their duty ended because of the statutory 56-day period expiring and no engagement taking place.
• 33 households became homeless after having approached at threat of homelessness stage.
• 15 households lost their accommodation because of the end of their private rented tenancy.
• 8 households lost their accommodation because of familial/friend evictions.
• 4 households were evicted from supporting accommodation.

The number of approaches at “threat of homeless” stage has been increasing slowly for several months. One of the reasons for this could be our focus on moving individuals out of interim accommodation, leading to a reduction in resources to prevent homelessness. In addition, due to the volume of accommodation allocated for direct lets, there is a reduced opportunity for rehousing via the Housing Register at the preventative stage. We have also seen significant challenges in accessing private rented accommodation due to the affordability of the sector.

Finally, with the closure of the Kent Homelessness Connect supported accommodation service and decant of the YPSAFs service, we have seen fewer supported accommodation options become available as well as a higher number of evictions (and therefore homelessness) from those services. Of the 33 individuals who became homeless, 16 entered temporary accommodation under Part 7 Housing Act 1996, with a further 3 entering under RSI provisions.

Housing Allocation and Strategy

The KPI tracking the "Number of affordable homes delivered excluding first homes (Gross)" missed its target by over 10%. This is largely outside of the Council’s control in the Housing sector, as it directly correlates with the volume of new development projects within the borough. The team are aware that across the sector there are factors that are reducing the amount of affordable housing being delivered. This is a result of developers claiming that increased costs are reducing the amount of affordable housing being provided on each site, and housing association partners reviewing their development portfolio in the light of increased pressure to invest in their existing housing stock. 

As a result, the overall delivery of affordable housing for this financial year is significantly down compared to previous few years.  On a positive note, there should be a considerably higher figure for Quarter 4 delivery, as the team are aware of a large new development being completed before year-end.

Environmental Services Q3 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 its target slightly by 1.0%, achieving 97.00%. Due to seasonal die-back of roadside vegetation a greater amount of litter has become exposed. Over the next two months the scheduled litter picking will be undertaken by the team, and they are confident that this will reduce the problem.

Waste Services

The KPI monitoring the “Percentage of household waste sent for reuse, recycling and composting” missed its target, achieving 43.56% against a target of 53.0%. The quarter three outcome is the lowest experienced for this KPI in several years. The reduction in the rate is usual for this quarter, due to garden waste suspension over the Christmas period. However, there has also been a notable reduction in the dry, mixed recycling (DMR) tonnage, which the team are asking Kent County Council to review (as the providers of the data). Should the data need correcting, an update will be provided at the next Committee.