Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Health introduced the report and stated that it was to update the Committee on finances and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) relating to its services and provide an update on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

It was stated that:

·  The finance budget for Housing, Health and Environment services was currently £795,000 compared to a budget of £632,000, resulting in a £163,000 overspend.

·  The largest variance in budget was from homeless temporary accommodation.

·  The end of year forecast variance for Housing, Health and Environment services was predicted to be an £818,000 overspend.

·  Largest variances by the end of year forecast predicted to be from private rented homes and the 1,000 Affordable Homes Programme.

·  50% of the KPIs for Housing, Health and Environment services were achieved.

·  Progress had been made on projects the UK Shared Prosperity Fund was funding.

The Committee considered the update and raised concerns and questions relating to the KPIs, and that only 50% had been achieved for Housing, Health and Environment services, notably those related to the Public Realm and Community Safety had not been achieved.

In response to concerns regarding Community Safety KPIs, the Cabinet Member for Health and Housing confirmed that they had held a meeting with the Minister for Justice and the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner,  where reassurances had been given that the Police Officers would still patrol each Maidstone ward and that a new model of policing would be in place in March 2024.

In response to concerns regarding Public Realm KPIs, the Head of Environmental Services and Public Realm stated a recent survey of the A249 for litter had impacted the KPIs relating to Public Realm but that the timing of the survey was so that it take place before the Kent County Show in July 2023.

RESOLVED: To note:

1.  The Revenue position as at the end of Quarter 1 for 2023/24, including the actions being taken or proposed to improve the position, where significant variances have been identified;

2. The Capital position at the end of Quarter 1 for 2023/24;

3. The Performance position as at Quarter 1 for 2023/24, including the actions being taken or proposed to improve the position, where significant issues have been identified; and

4. That the UK Shared Prosperity Fund update, attached at Appendix 3 to the report be noted.