Item 11 - Appendix 1 and 2
West Dunbartonshire Council · 17 August 2022
Back to Corporate Services Committee — 17 August 2022 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Appendix 1: Regulatory & Regeneration Delivery Plan 2020/21 - Year-end Progress A strong local economy and improved job opportunities A growing economy Performance Indicator 2020/21 2021/22 Owner Value Status Value Target Short Trend Long Trend Note Number of businesses given advice and assistance to start up through Business Gateway 200 201 200 During 2021/22, 201 business start-ups were supported through the Business Gateway service which slightly exceeded the target of 200. Gillian Scholes No of business gateway start-ups per 10,000 population 22.3 Not yet available 21.98 2021/22 data for this Local Government Benchmarking Framework indicator will be available in the first quarter of 2023 following publication by the Improvement Service. Gillian Scholes Cost of Economic Development & Tourism per 1,000 population 155,060 Not yet available 150,000 2021/22 data for Local Government Benchmarking Framework cost indicators will be available in the first quarter of 2023 following publication by the Improvement Service. Gillian Scholes Proportion of properties receiving superfast broadband 98.4% Not yet available 100% Data will be available from the 2022 Ofcom Connected Nations Report which has yet to be published. Gillian Scholes Town Vacancy Rates 15.67% 16.58% 11.4% A survey of ground floor town centre commercial units (excluding pubs, cinemas and amusements) was undertaken in June 2022. Vacancy rates were higher than the target owing to shop/business closures during the pandemic and the downturn in town centre activity being experienced nationwide, but also some managed vacancies related to town centre regeneration. Individual town centre vacancy rates were: Alexandria, 17.86%; Clydebank, 14.04%; and Dumbarton 19.33%. Alan Williamson Appendix 1
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Performance Indicator 2020/21 2021/22 Owner Value Status Value Target Short Trend Long Trend Note Immediately available employment land as a % of total land allocated for employment purposes 40 38.95 42.5 The 2021/22 figure is based on survey work undertaken in May/June 2022 and correlates with the 2021/22 SLAED indicator return. The figure is below target, however future targets will be based upon a national average figure. Alan Williamson Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner Ensure key regeneration sites are progressed to enable high quality development to be achieved on the ground 31-Mar-2022 Planning & Building Standards continue to support the key regeneration sites. The Queens Quay Health and Care Centre is now operational; the affordable housing development is scheduled for occupation in late 2022; and we are supporting the discharge of conditions on the planning permission in principle on the Exxon development. Pamela Clifford Monitor the development of the key regeneration sites to ensure they comply with the approved consent 31-Mar-2022 Completed as planned for 2021/22. Pamela Clifford Deliver key regeneration sites across West Dunbartonshire 31-Mar-2022 Actions completed for this period. As the new Economic Development Strategy is developed, details of actions will be set out in that plan. Gillian McNamara; Pamela Clifford Explore commercial opportunities in our town centres 31-Mar-2022 Artizan Centre acquisition completed March 2022. Gillian McNamara Deliver the Town Centre Recovery Plan 31-Mar-2022 A number of different interventions have been delivered, including 'Loves Local', Loves Local gift cards, and town centre COVID adaption grants. Gillian McNamara Risk Description Current Assessment Target Assessment Date Reviewed Note Owner Failure to deliver Queens Quay Masterplan Following completion of Council investment there is a risk the housing plot sales do not materialise in the next 3-7 years. 13-Apr-2022 Focus continues on landowners securing new housing developments for the site. Gillian McNamara; Pamela Clifford Inability to meet demands of Council to progress regeneration projects within desired timescales The number and complexity of regeneration projects is putting considerable strain on the resources available which can be exacerbated by delays out with the control of the service 13-Apr-2022 Individual projects continue to progress, reducing the likelihood of undesirable outcomes. Pamela Clifford; Alan Douglas; Gillian McNamara
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Risk Description Current Assessment Target Assessment Date Reviewed Note Owner and when pinch points on different projects occur at roughly the same time. Supported individuals, families and carers living independently and with dignity Improved wellbeing Performance Indicator 2020/21 2021/22 Owner Value Status Value Target Short Trend Long Trend Note Air Quality: PM10 Concentration 9 8.7 18 The value is well within the national target of 18ug (micrograms) and both the short and long trends are improving. Mark Walsh % of air quality monitoring stations complying with the national objective for nitrogen dioxide at the nearest building façades of residential properties , schools, hospitals and care homes (40ug/m3 NO2 ) 100% 100% 100% Target met with all 33 monitoring stations complying with the national objective. Mark Walsh Percentage of highest priority pest control service requests responded to within 2 working days 98% 98% 95% Target met. Of the 1,523 service requests received, 1493 were responded to within target. John Stevenson Percentage of service users (businesses) very satisfied or fairly satisfied with the service they received from environmental health 100% 100% 95% Target met. Eilidh Paton Percentage of service users (citizens) satisfied or very satisfied with the service they received from environmental health 90% 92.3% 85% Target met. Of the 442 service users surveyed during the year, 408 were satisfied or very satisfied with the service they received. John Stevenson Percentage of businesses and activities regulated by environmental health who are substantially compliant with legislative requirements 94% 95% 75% Target met. 1,148 businesses and other non- commercial establishments were inspected during the year and 1,095 were found to be substantially compliant with legislative requirements. John Stevenson Total annual redress won for consumers by Trading Standards Group (£) £5,030.0 0 £15,509.50 N/A Value of redress is up from previous year. Most consumer advice is dealt with in the first instance by our partner Consumer Annemarie Clelland
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Performance Indicator 2020/21 2021/22 Owner Value Status Value Target Short Trend Long Trend Note Advice Scotland. In general, only the more complex complaints or those involving criminal allegations come to Trading Standards. Food Law: Percentage of food businesses in the highest risk category (1 to 6 monthly inspections by Food & Business Group) that were inspected on time 100% 100% 100% Inspections were suspended due to COVID- 19 until October 2021. We have achieved full compliance since the inspection programme restarted. Eilidh Paton Food Law: Percentage of food businesses in the high risk category (12 monthly inspections by Food & Business Group) that were inspected on time 100% 56% 100% The suspension of programmed food safety inspections from mid-March 2020 until 1 October 2021 resulted in a backlog. With between 70 to 80 inspections due per month, this had a significant impact on Environmental Health staff resources in 2021/22 which will continue in 2022/23. A number of factors exacerbated this including the increased demands of the new Food Law Rating Scheme, in terms of frequency and scope of intervention, and a deficit of 2.89 Full Time Equivalent posts within the Food Business Group over the period. The latter is being addressed via recruitment and should have a positive impact on performance. Eilidh Paton Percentage of service users satisfied or very satisfied with the service they received from trading standards 100% N/A N/A 80% N/A N/A Feedback was received from only a handful of service users which was too few to inform this PI. We will review the way in which we gather feedback to inform how we do this in future. Annemarie Clelland Percentage of businesses satisfied or very satisfied with the service they received from trading standards 100% N/A N/A 80% N/A N/A None of the 19 businesses that received business advice provided feedback. We will review the way in which we gather feedback to inform how we do this in future. Annemarie Clelland Cost of trading standards per 1,000 population £ £3,498.0 0 Not yet available £3,227.00 2021/22 data for Local Government Benchmarking Framework cost indicators will be available in the first quarter of 2023 following publication by the Improvement Service. Annemarie Clelland
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Performance Indicator 2020/21 2021/22 Owner Value Status Value Target Short Trend Long Trend Note Cost of environmental health per 1,000 population £ £12,497. 00 £9,808.00 £14,968.00 This is a draft figure based on 2020 Mid-Year Estimate of population rather than Mid-Year Estimate 2021 which has not yet been published. However, it is unlikely to change significantly. The decrease in cost over previous year is due to staff turnover savings. Final 2021/22 data for this Local Government Benchmarking Framework cost indicator will be available in the first quarter of 2023 following publication by the Improvement Service. John Stevenson Number of reports of bogus/cold callers 14 59 N/A The high figure is in part due to projects being run throughout the year to raise awareness and install call blocking equipment on the phones of vulnerable people. Annemarie Clelland Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner Work with Public Health Scotland to ensure the whole system approach is supported with effective strategy, policy, collaborative working and effective targeting of resources in public health priority areas 31-Mar-2022 Engaged with Public Health Scotland during the year re the pandemic response. Environmental Health Team Work with national and regional stakeholders to mitigate the further effects of EU exit on food trade including imports 31-Mar-2022 Worked in partnership with Food Standards Scotland and Scottish Government to develop Food Import controls for which local authorities are responsible for implementing. Environmental Health Team Implement a restart of Food Law interventions and any changes to Service Planning and Administration and Enforcement Sanctions as a result of changes to or new code/s of practice from Food Standards Scotland 31-Mar-2022 Food Law safety inspections recommenced 1 October 2021. While this action has been completed, the suspension of the programme for 18 months from mid-March 2020 resulted in a backlog. With between 70 to 80 inspections due per month, this had a significant impact on Environmental Health staff resources in 2021/22 which will continue in 2022/23. A number of factors exacerbated this including the increased demands of the new Food Law Rating Scheme the frequency and scope of interventions, and a deficit of 2.89 Full Time Equivalent posts within the Food Business Group over the period (recruitment ongoing). That said, since the inspection programme restarted, we have prioritised those in the highest risk category with full compliance achieved. Environmental Health Team
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Risk Description Current Assessment Target Assessment Date Reviewed Note Owner Post EU exit risk for Environmental Health WD is a port health authority. It does not have status as a Designated Point of Entry / Border Control Post for food imports. Border Control Posts are targeted for development in Scotland in advance of the end of the transition period covering imports in 2021 including inland control areas. An Environmental Health presence will be required for these control areas. The lack of food import physical and regulatory infrastructure and regulatory capacity could negatively affect the food market and bring a heightened food fraud risk. Environmental Health is responsible for food law inspection and food import and export controls. The national need and infrastructure to support business is encompassed in national work streams and scoping to ensure national needs are met, including expanding EH resource, logistics and infrastructure. WDC Environmental Health is engaged with work streams and contingency planning. There could be significant impact / disruption to statutory service provision (Food Law, Health and Safety and Public Health Protection) in dealing with import demands. 13-May-2022 The majority of EU Exit risks were addressed in terms of export services being agreed and transition period for unfettered food import. Import food controls, taking into account the Northern Ireland protocol, are being developed in partnership with Food Standards Scotland and Scottish Government. Pamela Clifford; John Stevenson More affordable and suitable housing options Performance Indicator 2020/21 2021/22 Owner Value Status Value Target Short Trend Long Trend Note Percentage of private landlord applications administered and processed within 21 days 99% 99% 95% Target met. Of the 540 registrations received for approval, 535 were administered and processed within the 21 days target. John Stevenson
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Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner Provide further legal assistance in the negotiation and completion of the requisite legal agreements in relation to the new affordable housing programme 31-Mar-2022 Year-end review confirmed support was provided as required to the new housing programme. Alan Douglas Ensure the next phase of Queens Quay Housing is delivered 31-Mar-2022 While there have been delays experienced with private developer securing private housing, all actions within Council control have been completed. Gillian McNamara Meaningful engagement with active, empowered and informed citizens who feel safe and engaged Fully consulted and involved citizens who are able to make full use of the Community Empowerment Act Performance Indicator 2020/21 2021/22 Owner Value Status Value Target Short Trend Long Trend Note Average score for respondents who state they feel a sense of control and influence in relation to Council decision-making and service delivery 5.4 5.4 5.4 This indicator is sourced from the Place Standard survey work that is undertaken by the Council. It covers the physical elements of a place, e.g. buildings, spaces, transport links, as well as the social aspects, including whether people feel they have a say in decision making. The most recent data relates to 2019/20, as the survey is not taken annually. Each indicator in the Place Standard is marked out of 7, so an average respondent score of 5.4 can be considered reasonable. Alan Williamson Open, accountable and accessible local government Equity of access for all residents Performance Indicator 2020/21 2021/22 Owner Value Status Value Target Short Trend Long Trend Note % of committee agendas published within standing order timescales 100% 100% 99% Target met. George Hawthorn; Christine McCaffary
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Risk Description Current Assessment Target Assessment Date Reviewed Note Owner Failure to organise elections well, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in reputational damage to the Council. COVID–19 Additional risks associated with spread of infection, availability of suitable premises, and availability of experienced polling staff will increase risk of election being poorly run. Election risk register will highlight and record the various mitigations to reduce risk. 25-May-2022 Measures were developed to mitigate the risk of infection for all election processes for the Scottish Parliamentary Election in May 2021 and implemented for the local government election in May 2022. That election was organised and implemented successfully. This is no longer a risk going forward to 22/23. George Hawthorn Efficient and effective frontline services that improve the everyday lives of residents A continuously improving Council delivering best value Performance Indicator 2020/21 2021/22 Owner Value Status Value Target Short Trend Long Trend Note Planning applications (major developments) - average number of weeks to decision 11.2 10.3 20 Target well exceeded and is well above the Scottish national average for major developments Pamela Clifford Planning applications (householder) - average number of weeks to decision 9.5 8.5 7 While the target was missed, performance has improved over the short and long terms. Staff resources, workload balancing and vacancies within the team during a substantial part of the year resulted in some applications exceeding the target. The focus for the year ahead will be reducing the overall time taken to issue decisions as staffing levels have now improved. Pamela Clifford Planning applications (local development, excluding householder) - average number of weeks to decision 12.7 12.5 12 While the target was narrowly missed, performance has continued to improve year- on-year. Pamela Clifford Percentage of Environmental Health service requests from citizens first responded to within 2 working days 97% 97% 90% Target met. Of the 3,422 service requests received, 3,307 were responded to within target. John Stevenson Percentage of building warrant applications responded to within 20 working days 82% 87% 80% Target exceeded and performance continues to improve year-on-year. Judi Ferguson
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Performance Indicator 2020/21 2021/22 Owner Value Status Value Target Short Trend Long Trend Note Overall time taken to issue building warrant (weeks) 15.1 16 16 Target met. Judi Ferguson Cost per planning application £6,625.0 0 Not yet available £4,800.00 2021/22 data for this Local Government Benchmarking Framework indicator will be available in the first quarter of 2023 following publication by the Improvement Service. Pamela Clifford Average time taken to deliver a commercial planning application decision 10.37 13 8.5 Target missed, largely due to a legacy application in the first quarter of 2021/22. Pamela Clifford Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner Support the establishment of the West Dunbartonshire Energy LLP Strategic and Management Board through the development of rules surrounding the interaction of members, as well as providing day to day legal advice 31-Mar-2022 Year-end review confirmed support was provided as required. Alan Douglas Designate and train service data ambassadors for the Corporate Data Information Management System (MAGIC) system 31-Mar-2022 While this action was started and some progress made, it was on hold for several months due to long term absence. It was recommenced in early 2022 and will be carried over to 2022/23. Alan Williamson Assess the implications of the new measures being introduced by the Scottish Government in relation to the Planning Act (Scotland) 2019 31-Mar-2022 This has been assessed and appropriate action taken to ensure compliance. Alan Williamson Co-ordinate the refurbishment of civic areas of Clydebank Town Hall 31-Aug-2021 The majority of works have now been completed, leaving only the woodwork in the chamber and the toilet/kitchen area to be completed. It is anticipated that remaining works will be completed by August 2022. George Hawthorn Co-ordinate the organisation of remaining civic events to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Clydebank Blitz 31-Mar-2022 All planned events have now been completed George Hawthorn Organise and implement the Scottish Parliamentary Election 30-Jun-2021 Scottish Parliamentary Election organised and implemented successfully. George Hawthorn
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Risk Description Current Assessment Target Assessment Date Reviewed Note Owner Failure to monitor and enforce regulatory areas with public risk The Council fails to comply with statutory regulatory duties in respect of environmental health, trading standards and licensing laws 27-Apr-2022 This continues to be a risk together with COVID recovery. Approval was however granted at the Council budget meeting on 9/3/2022 for the recruitment of an additional two Environmental Health Officer posts and recruitment is underway. John Stevenson COVID-19 impact on Regulatory & Regeneration Service Delivery Regulatory & Regeneration is faced with significant delivery demands in relation to moving services online, disruption, reduction and quality. 28-Apr-2022 While the move to home working was largely successful there was a natural drop in efficiency in some areas which was impossible to completely remove. As access to the office has increased this issue has receded. As the economy opens up some services are experiencing additional pressure. Regulatory and Regeneration Managers COVID-19 impact on Regulatory & Regeneration Workforce Regulatory & Regeneration is faced with significant workforce demands in relation to absence, reduction, recruitment and wellbeing. 28-Apr-2022 The principle risk here continues to relate to significant staff being absent either due to COVID or self-isolation particularly in front line services where working from home is not as suitable. Appropriate safety measures are in place (processes have been risk assessed) to minimise the likelihood of this happening. As a result, the risk score remains low. Regulatory and Regeneration Managers Income for services continues to be dramatically reduced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic Relates to registration, licensing, planning and building standards which have been impacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic 28-Apr-2022 Income reduction as a result of the economic impact of COVID remains an issue. Regulatory and Regeneration Managers Failure to adequately respond to an emergency situation such as a multiple fatality workplace accident, outbreak of food borne communicable disease, a major public health incident or pandemic There is a national shortage of qualified staff in Environmental Health, across Scotland. This impacts on West Dunbartonshire Council. Vacancy levels at WDC might impact on our ability to respond to emergencies. 27-Apr-2022 Although the Service Co-ordinator and two Environmental Health Officer vacant posts were filled towards the end of 2021, the sudden and tragic death of the Manager of Environmental Health created additional challenges for the Service. Interim arrangements have been made to cover the vacant Manager's post but this has created further vacancies within the Service and increased work roles. The approval of the two new additional Environmental Health John Stevenson
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Risk Description Current Assessment Target Assessment Date Reviewed Note Owner Officer posts should help assist in covering any additional service demands. Inability to recruit successfully to enable performance to be maintained There is a current issue with recruitment of qualified staff in various parts of the service. 13-May-2022 Two vacancies in Environmental Health are now being filled and vacancies in Planning are being filled or out for advert. In addition, Building Standards has introduced a new service delivery model and new staffing. Pamela Clifford Sustainable & attractive local communities Performance Indicator 2020/21 2021/22 Owner Value Status Value Target Short Trend Long Trend Note Tonnage of carbon dioxide emissions from Council operations and assets 23,635 24,022 22,803 The Council’s carbon footprint in 21/22 was 24,022 tonnes of CO2e, just missing the target of 22,803. Stricter carbon reduction targets set by the Climate Change Strategy mean that annual reductions will be more challenging to achieve net zero by 2045. However, it should be expected that there will be fluctuations on our carbon reduction journey towards 2045. There were significant challenges to meeting the target relating to the following: COVID 19 Pandemic - The pandemic had an unprecedented impact on our Council operations and residents. More staff work remotely and as a result we have had to add carbon emissions from homeworking to the Council’s overall carbon footprint. Emissions relating to energy, waste and travel have also increased because, like the whole world, West Dunbartonshire is ‘bouncing back’ from the pandemic. Waste Streams – Waste and recycling make up almost 52% of the Council’s carbon footprint. Waste levels, particularly from residents, have been increasing since 2012/13, with the highest recorded emissions occurring in 2021/22. Since waste Adam Armour - Florence
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Performance Indicator 2020/21 2021/22 Owner Value Status Value Target Short Trend Long Trend Note is the largest proportion of Council emissions, improvements to emissions from other sources do not have as much of an impact on our carbon footprint. Heating – Heating makes up about 20% of the Council’s carbon footprint. Whilst carbon emissions for heating have decreased slightly, the benefits of our energy efficiency interventions have been impacted by ventilation requirements in schools as a result of the pandemic. Heating will work harder and go on for longer as a result of windows and doors having to be open across all of our schools. We will continue to implement the actions set out in the Climate Change Strategy Action Plan for 2022/23. Action Status Progress Due Date Note Owner Ensure Council has positioned the Energy Centre to showcase best practice at COP26 31-Mar-2022 Energy Centre successfully showcased at COP26. Gillian McNamara Develop a Climate Change Action plan to support the implementation of the Climate Change Strategy and ensure it is devolved and mainstreamed 31-Mar-2022 Action Plan officially signed-off on 27 October 2021. Now complete. Next steps are to integrate initial actions into Pentana and allocate KPIs, etc. Gillian McNamara Risk Description Current Assessment Target Assessment Date Reviewed Note Owner Affordability of the Exxon City Deal Project There is a risk that the affordability of delivering the City Deal Exxon project is beyond the resources being made available from Glasgow City Region City Deal. 13-Apr-2022 The project board continues to monitor budget challenges including inflation and BREXIT challenges which are likely to impact affordability. Gillian McNamara
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Action Status Overdue Completed PI Status Significantly Missed Target Narrowly Missed Target Met or Exceeded Target Data Only Long Term Trends Improving No Change Declining Short Term Trends Improving No Change Declining Risk Status Alert Warning OK
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Appendix 2: Quality Standards 2021/22 - Year-end Progress QS PIs Democratic & Registration Performance Indicator 2020/21 2021/22 Owner Value Status Value Target Short Trend Long Trend Note Percentage of Council and Committee minutes produced within 3 clear working days of the meeting 100% 99.25% 98% Target met. A slight delay in producing some minutes has occurred due to additional pressure on team due to numbers needed to cover hybrid meetings. Christine McCaffary Percentage of all committee actions uploaded onto Pentana within 3 clear working days of the draft minute being approved 100% 99.5% 98% Target met. Christine McCaffary % of committee agendas published within standing order timescales 100% 100% 99% Target met. George Hawthorn; Christine McCaffary QS PIs Legal (including Trading Standards) Performance Indicator 2020/21 2021/22 Owner Value Status Value Target Short Trend Long Trend Note Percentage of consumer complaints first responded to within two working days 97.7% 85% 95% While the target was missed, performance remains high. The loss of a number of officers coupled with investigations and higher priority matters impacted on our ability to respond within the current target of two working days. Through the recruitment of new staff members in the coming year we should be in a better position to meet this target going forward. Annemarie Clelland Percentage of business advice requests first responded to within two working days 96.5% 100% 95% Target exceeded. This figure includes our standard business advice and advice to businesses on trading safely during the pandemic. It was and remains important that businesses can access reliable and timely advice. Annemarie Clelland Appendix 2
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Performance Indicator 2020/21 2021/22 Owner Value Status Value Target Short Trend Long Trend Note PS4biii: Percentage of trading standards business advice requests that were dealt with within 14 days 96.5% 98% 100% While the target was narrowly missed, the value remains very high. The speed at which Government advice and legislation changed during the pandemic meant that for more complex queries advice had to be sought. Annemarie Clelland QS PIs Planning & Building Standards (including Environmental Health) Performance Indicator 2020/21 2021/22 Owner Value Status Value Target Short Trend Long Trend Note Percentage of highest priority pest control service requests responded to within 2 working days 98% 98% 95% Target met. Of the 1,523 service requests received, 1493 were responded to within target. John Stevenson Planning applications (householder) - average number of weeks to decision 9.5 8.5 7 While the target was missed, performance has improved over the short and long terms. Staff resources, workload balancing and vacancies within the team during a substantial part of the year resulted in some applications exceeding the target. The focus for the year ahead will be reducing the overall time taken to issue decisions as staffing levels have now improved. Pamela Clifford Percentage of Environmental Health service requests from citizens first responded to within 2 working days 97% 97% 90% Target met. Of the 3,422 service requests received, 3,307 were responded to within target. John Stevenson Percentage of high priority planning enforcement breaches responded to within 5 working days 100% 100% 100% Target met. Pamela Clifford Percentage of building warrant applications responded to within 20 working days 82% 87% 80% Target exceeded and performance continues to improve year-on-year. Judi Ferguson Percentage of private landlord applications administered and processed within 21 days 99% 99% 95% Target met. Of the 540 registrations received for approval, 535 were administered and processed within the 21 days target. John Stevenson Food Law: Percentage of food businesses in the highest risk category (1 to 6 monthly inspections 100% 100% 100% Inspections were suspended due to COVID until October 2021. We have achieved full compliance since the inspection programme restarted. Eilidh Paton
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Performance Indicator 2020/21 2021/22 Owner Value Status Value Target Short Trend Long Trend Note by Food & Business Group) that were inspected on time Food Law: Percentage of food businesses in the high risk category (12 monthly inspections by Food & Business Group) that were inspected on time 100% 56% 100% The suspension of programmed food safety inspections from mid-March 2020 until 1 October 2021 resulted in a backlog. With between 70 to 80 inspections due per month, this had a significant impact on Environmental Health staff resources in 2021/22 which will continue in 2022/23. A number of factors exacerbated this including the increased demands of the new Food Law Rating Scheme, in terms of frequency and scope of intervention, and a deficit of 2.89 Full Time Equivalent posts within the Food Business Group over the period. The latter s is being addressed via recruitment and should have a positive impact on performance. Eilidh Paton PI Status Significantly Missed Target Narrowly Missed Target Met or Exceeded Target Data Only Long Term Trends Improving No Change Declining Short Term Trends Improving No Change Declining