Performance Dashboard – April 2023 – January 2024

 

COMMUNITY WELLBEING: “Active communities and support for those who need it”

2023/24 Community Wellbeing Annual Plan Objectives

“Continue to support residents impacted by the cost of living crisis, including signposting and collaboration with other organisations”

  • Progress Overview: We supported residents with the cost of energy by administering an Energy Support Scheme that provided a payment of £400 to households who used alternative fuel such as oil and bottled gas, and also to  households who didn’t have a direct relationship with their energy provider such as those living in park homes.We continue to support households who are struggling to pay their council tax through the Council Tax Support Scheme. In addition we have been supporting households through a discretionary council tax hardship fund.MVDC part funded a Community Development Worker based at the Leatherhead Community Hub. This role i supports residents in North Leatherhead who may be affected by the cost of living crisis.During cold weather Warm Hubs remained open across Mole Valley as part of the response to the cost-of-living crisis. A Warm Hub is a building designated as a warm and safe sanctuary that anyone can go to for free.

    The UKSPF funded community capacity building and infrastructure support grants awarded by MVDC helped support a number of initiatives, including –

    • sport and recreation activities to be provided across a number of community spaces
    • the provision of fishing equipment to enable those who ordinarily wouldn’t be able to afford to take part
    • funding of film afternoons during winter months for those who struggle to heat their homes

    As mentioned under other Annual Plan objectives, we have also provided access to free holiday activities during the summer holiday, and supported people to find work through the employment and skills hub. We continue to signpost our communities to support and advice.

  • Status: Green

“Work with Surrey County Council and Technology Enabled Care experts to build on the success of the innovative Enabling You With Technology service and Community Responder Service, so that older and vulnerable residents can live independently in their own homes”

  • Progress Overview: Transformation funding ending in March 2024. TEC programme is transitioning to commissioning. Early conversations suggest the programme will continue to grow and develop.The East Surrey Responder Service have now attended 1,980 incidents, resolving 90% of those without the requirement for escalation to the emergency services and a response time of 25 minutes.A further 12 months has been agreed with Surrey for the service.NHS Guildford and Waverley Service have attended 142 incidents with 89% resolved without escalation and a response time of 34 minutes. The NHS have agreed to a 6 month extension to the service.

    An evaluation of the responder service has shown that for every £1 spent it gives a return on investment (ROI) of £2.71 on cost avoidance to the system.

    Mole Valley Life Monitoring & Responder Services recently won a place on the Northern Housing Consortium framework.

  • Status: Green

“Continue to provide Disabled Facilities Grant funding to enable residents to remain in their own homes as long as possible”

  • Progress Overview: At the end of Q3 2023/24 (the latest available data) there are 62 open Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) cases.During this quarter, 14 adaptations have been completed.
  • Status: Green

“Build community capacity and support community infrastructure through the implementation of a grant scheme to support this work”

  • Progress Overview: Round 2 (2023/24): Following approval of the award of grants at the Cabinet meeting in November, all organisations have been contacted and payments are being made. Organisations have 12 months to complete their projects.Round 3 (2024/25): The next round of grant applications has been publicised with a closing date of 3 March 2024. It is proposed that recommendations as to which projects should be supported would be taken to Cabinet in June 2024. Grants will be awarded during the course of the summer, with organisations then having 12 months to complete their projects following receipt of the grant.
  • Status: Green

“Support the development of new community groups and volunteer workforces to contribute to, for example, the Council’s response to the Ecological and Climate Change Emergencies”

  • Progress Overview: As previously reported, a new volunteer workforce of 8 volunteers has been established from Dorking Men’s Shed for The Grange in Bookham. The Community Volunteer Project Officer facilitated the volunteers to build a new shed at The Grange which was completed in November 2023.Plans are now in place to plant herb beds at the Fairfield Centre in March 2024. Members of the Fairfield Centre will be involved in clearing beds and planting herbs to be used in the Fairfield Centre kitchen.Work is ongoing to plan future activities, including the development of community gardens which will be an area of focus in 2024/25.
  • Status: Green

“Enable young people to access and take part in a range of activities that they might not ordinarily be able to afford by running a programme of out of school activities”

  • Progress Overview: Planning for the free summer activities is well under way.  Currently there are 5 activities confirmed (multi-sports, angling, golf, animal show and tell, scooting and skateboarding) and new providers for different activities are being investigated including pottery painting, contemporary dance and woodland/bush craft activities.  A survey has been sent to parents and schools to gather feedback on what people would like to see from the programme. 
  • Status: Green

“Complete the re-procurement of leisure centres contract so that communities continue to have access to good quality sports and leisure facilities”

  • Progress Overview: The new operator, GLL, at Leatherhead Leisure Centre and Dorking Sports Centre has hit the ground running and are already making an impressive start under the new contract.  Tangible improvements have already been made at Leatherhead to the look and feel of the centre and they are having a positive effect on participation and membership sales have seen significant growth. As part of their contract, GLL is developing an Active Communities Programme which is already underway and will continue to grow.  This currently includes inclusive swim sessions, the Friday Night Project and the development of a warm hub at Dorking.  GLL’s Sports Foundation is actively encouraging talented athletes and sports people to apply for a range of support from financial, access to facilities, physiotherapy and mental health and wellbeing mentoring.  GLL’s Sports Foundation has also extended further support to looked after children and their families and care leavers to encourage participation in physical activity.  Also extended are concessions for asylum seekers and refugees.  GLL have already set up community partnerships with a number of disability and mental health organisations in Mole Valley.  Exercise on Referral has been subsumed into GLL’s Health Referral programme which has widened its scope and further developed the scheme. 
  • Status: Green

“Undertake refurbishment works at Dorking Halls”

  • Progress Overview: Following a disappointing response from contractors on the Pagabo framework, discussions are now taking place with view to making a direct award. The works are still expected to proceed in the four month window from June to Oct 2024 and during another period in 2025.
  • Status: Red
  • Commentary: As previously reported, no works are planned during 2023/24; instead works are planned for Summer 2024 and Summer 2025

“Provide funding to support communities to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III”

  • Progress Overview: As previously reported, this work was completed in time for the Coronation with each larger area (Dorking, Leatherhead, Bookham, Fetcham and Ashtead) receiving up to £2,500 towards their celebrations, and all other ward areas receiving up to £400.
  • Status: Green

2023/24 Community Wellbeing Performance Indicators

Number of telecare service users

  • Status: Data Only
  • Commentary: There were 1,153 telecare service users as at end Q3 2023/24. Please see the Performance Indicators Report on the Performance page for further information on this PI.

Number of community transport journeys

  • Status: Data Only
  • Commentary: There were 513 community transport journeys during the month of January 2024.  Please see the Performance Indicators Report on the Performance page for further information on this PI.

Number of households in bed and breakfast accommodation

  • Status: Data only
  • Commentary: At the end of January 2024 the number of households that we had placed in nightly stay or bed and breakfast accommodation was 20. Please see the Performance Indicators Report on the Performance page for further information on this PI.

Number of households on the Housing Register

  • Status: Data Only
  • Commentary: There were 630 households on the Housing Register at the end of January 2024. Please see the Performance Indicators Report on the Performance page for further information on this PI.

 

ENVIRONMENT: “A highly attractive area with housing that meets local need”

2023/24 Environment Annual Plan Objectives

“Implement the revised approach to CCTV across the District”

  • Progress Overview: Following the decision of Surrey Police to withdraw from proactive involvement in the provision of CCTV, arguing that they do not value it as much as other forms of evidence, MVDC consulted the public around future provision from 2024.  MVDC needs to make a decision about what kind of CCTV service is appropriate to provide into the future and what is affordable in the circumstances.  The consultation elicited 404 results and some highlights were that 48.5% of respondents did consider CCTV represents value for money despite the police’s view and 61% said it made them feel safer.Options are now being considered in terms of the number of cameras that could be retained and they type of monitoring that is most value for money for Mole Valley.  These options will be presented to Cabinet in the summer. 
  • Status: Green

“Continue to work towards adoption of the Local Plan as required and when adopted, commence work on Supplementary Planning Documents as set out in the Local Development Scheme“

  • Progress Overview:  The Council has not met the timetable for consultation on the Main Modifications because the NPPF consultation caused a year long pause in the Examination.  The Local Plan is now severely delayed.
  • Status: Red
  • Commentary: Please see the Progress Overview.

“Use funds collected from developers, from sites where it has not been possible to provide affordable homes as part of that development, to subsidise the provision of affordable housing elsewhere in the District“

  • Progress Overview: Monies are being used towards Kingston House Gardens and Local Authority  Housing Fund (LAHF) properties in 2023/24 and 2024/25.Whilst commuted sums are being used to subsidise the Kingston House Garden Development (due for completion in autumn 2024) and Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) purchases, there are few other sites on the horizon where these funds can be utilised.  It is envisaged that some of these sums can be used to help reduce rent costs if required at future larger scale developments however these are not due to start on site in the 2024/25 year.  Monies could be used towards a potential LAHF round 3 which is being announced in 2024/25 and potential modular units for additional temporary housing.
  • Status: Green

“Continue to implement the Climate Change Strategy Action Plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, including investigating options for alternative methods of funding Climate Change initiatives, particularly solar provision at Leatherhead Leisure Centre and electric vehicle charging provision for the Council motor fleet“

  • Progress Overview: The feasibility study in respect of solar provision at Leatherhead Leisure Centre which was undertaken in October 2021 is to be reviewed and updated. This is necessary due to improvements in solar technology since that time. We are currently in the process of identifying consultants who can carry out this work for us. This will allow us to develop a specification for tender.A capital bid for 2024/25 has now been submitted for this project. The total cost is anticipated to be around £658k.  We are seeking Empty Homes funding from SCC to partially cover the capital cost, whilst we explore other grant funding opportunities and MVDC funding from capital receipts or borrowing.
  • Status: Green

“Reduce the Council’s carbon emissions by installing LED lighting in Dorking and Leatherhead Leisure Centres”

  • Progress Overview: Work has been completed at Dorking Sports Centre and is underway at Leatherhead Leisure Centre with the expectation that it will be complete by the end of April 2024.
  • Status: Green

2023/24 Environment Performance Indicators

Percentage of streets with acceptable levels of litter

  • Status: Green

Percentage of streets with acceptable levels of detritus

  • Status: Red
  • Commentary: Joint Waste Solutions are working proactively with Amey to improve the level of street cleaning across the District to achieve the target set.

Percentage of trees in Zone 1 areas inspected within agreed timeframes

  • Status: Green

Percentage of trees in Zone 2 areas inspected within agreed timeframes

  • Status: Green

Number of affordable homes completed

  • Status: Red
  • Commentary:Funds are being collected from developers from sites where it has not been possible to provide affordable homes as part of that development, to subsidise the provision of affordable housing elsewhere in the district.  During 2023/24 the initial payment to Clarion for the conversion of 16 of the properties on the Kingston House Gardens development from affordable to social rent has been paid, as agreed at Cabinet in Nov 2020.Under the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) round 1, properties are being sought which will also involve the payment of commuted sums for a 4 bed bridging property. Under LAHF round 2, further commuted sums will be spent to buy a further two 3 bedroom property for temporary accommodation to be owned by MVDC and a 3 bedroom house for Afghan resettlement purposes to be owned by Mount Green housing. Both MVDC properties have now been identified with the first being due for completion in early March 2024.  The adoption of a local plan will assist with future affordable housing delivery in the district.

Housing Delivery Test

  • Status: Red
  • Commentary: Mole Valley’s recently released Housing Delivery Test result was 58% for the year 2022.  This means the Council must continue to operate the “Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development”. This means that housing policies in the Local Plan must be set aside in its planning decisions and the Council must follow the housing policies in the NPPF.The Council was already required to operate the “Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development” because:
    • The previous Housing Delivery Test was only 70% and so in the “Presumption” band
    • The Local Plan was more than five years old
    • The Council is unable to demonstrate a Five-Year Housing Land Supply.

Local Development Scheme – milestones met

  • Status: Red
  • Commentary: Local Development Scheme milestones were being met until December 2022. There was then a year long hiatus while the Government considered the National Planning Policy framework. The Examination has now re-started.

Percentage of waste sent for recycling, reuse and composting

  • Status: Green

Residual waste per household

  • Status: Amber
  • Commentary: Performance is close to the target level (362kg against a target of 360kg).  Performance is expected to continue to improve as we work with residents to expand services such as the roll out of food waste to communal properties in Mole Valley and the dry mixed recycling improvement project.

Number of missed bins per 100,000 collections

  • Status: Green
  • Commentary: Performance as at December 2023 (the latest available data).

Reduction in the Council’s Carbon Footprint

  • Status: Unknown
  • Commentary: The next update will be provided in March 2024.

 

PROSPERITY: “A vibrant local economy with thriving towns and villages”

2023/24 Prosperity Annual Plan Objectives

“Achieve the 2023/24 milestones for Opportunity Dorking: apply for National Lottery Grants for Heritage funding for Pippbrook House, progress the regeneration of the Foundry/Church Street site through demolition and scheme development to RIBA Stage 2 Concept Design, and obtain Cabinet approval of the Dorking Asset Management Plan”

  • Progress Overview: Pippbrook HouseExpression of Interest application to National Lottery was made in Feb 23, but was not successful.  More focus is required on the community access to the listed building, and the end use proposal. A new application is being prepared and is due for submission at the end of Feb 24. The focus is on brining the building back into use working with a number of key partners including but not limited to CHIP, Surrey Hills National Landscape, Dorking Museum and the Victorian Society.The Conservation Management Plan for the building is now in place and has identified extensive works to bring the building back into repair. Capital has been allocated in the capital programme for 23/24 and 24/25, which will enable essential repairs to be carried out to the roof.  A specialist consultant has been appointed to provide input into specifications and pre tender costs. The roof works are currently out to tender with an anticipated start date in June 24. Costs a expected to be in excess of £1m for works to address the imitate concerns i.e. to make the building weather proof. Costs will only be confirmed once tenders are returned.

    The Foundry

    The planning application for demolition was approved in October.  All remaining workshop tenants have been found alternative premises to relocate to.  Demolition commenced in Jan 24 and is due to be completed in early Feb 24.  Concept design (RIBA Stage 1) for the future development is now complete. A cabinet paper seeking approval to progress this project through to a full planning application, to proceed to RIBA 3, 4 & 5  was approved October cabinet and tendering for the next stage of design through to submission of a planning application is now underway.

    Dorking Asset Management Plan

    A Dorking Asset Management Plan has been prepared and shared with Members. It was decided that this document shall not be taken forward to cabinet.  The paper was taken to the Asset Management Plan working Group in October. The paper is to be updated.

  • Status: Green

“Achieve the 2023/24 milestones for Transform Leatherhead: Claire House and James House development partner to commence redevelopment, work with our Joint Venture partner to undertake consultation and detailed design for Phase 1 of the Bull Hill and Swan Centre regeneration scheme, and Riverside Park Landscape Architect to produce the Final Concept Design Masterplan“

  • Progress Overview: Claire House and James HouseEarlier this year a specialist developer was identified for the Claire House and James House redevelopment, with the previous preferred developer no longer being in a financial position to proceed. A grant from the One Public Estate Brownfield Land Release Fund was awarded and will fund the cost of demolishing the existing buildings.  MVDC is in the tendering process for the contract for the demolition work and has submitted a variation to the existing planning consent to allow for the demolition to happen as a self-contained phase.Joint Venture

    The joint venture legal agreements with Kier Property Development Limited were signed in October 2023, and funding from MVDC was approved to fund the first phase of surveys and initial design costs up to 400k, with Kier match funding the same amount.  The initial design team appointments has been progressed. Stakeholder and public engagement is underway with full public consultation targeted for Spring 24 (post elections).

    Riverside Park

    A public consultation was held in October to establish which of the various concepts developed by Allen Scott, our landscape architect, were most popular.  The results have been evaluated and incorporated into the final concept design report from Allen Scott. Options for phased delivery and associated funding strategy are being investigated.

  • Status: Green

“Continue targeted investment in our car parks to ensure they are fit for the future. This includes completing works to St Martin’s Walk car park in Dorking and refurbishing Lower Road car park in Bookham”

  • Progress Overview: The first phases of the Car Park Refurbishment Programme have delivered improvement works to: Ashtead Peace Memorial Car Park (Ashtead), Southside, St Martins Walk, South Street, West Street and Junction Road (Dorking), Lower Road (Bookham) and provided match funding from a successful Coast-to-Capital grant award for the establishment of 90 electric vehicle charging bays in various car parks in Dorking, Leatherhead, Ashtead and Bookham.All car parks are practically complete. A latent defect at St Martins Walk car park has been identified and will be addressed in spring 24 but the car park is fully open and useable.
  • Status: Green

“Retain the employment and skills hub in partnership with Surrey Lifelong Learning Partnership, DWP and a range of training providers and employers to support people of all ages in Mole Valley who are unemployed or facing redundancy“

  • Progress Overview: The Mole Valley Employment and Skills Hub ‘continues to deliver an outstanding programme’ [source: DWP Grant Funding Monitoring Report, November 2023] and is about to start its fourth year of operation, thanks to funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and a DWP grant for a new youth project.There have been a total of 600+ registrations (and the 2023/24 target of 330 registrations by individuals on benefits will be met) with 190+ job outcomes (exceeding the target of 160). Half of MV Hub registrations are self-referred walk-in customers, highlighting the importance of its physical presence in the centre of Leatherhead. MV Hub gives access to charities and service providers ensuring customers are best able to manage their finances when starting or preparing to start work including help with debt advice and utility cost advice.MV Hub holds a fortnightly Thursday morning drop-in advice clinic at Leatherhead Community Hub in North Leatherhead and a Friday drop-in advice clinic at the church on Goodwyns Estate in North Holmwood, Dorking. Redhill JCP are in attendance in Dorking, plus Clarion Futures, SES water, Christians Against Poverty (CAP) for debt advice and National Careers Service for help with CVs and presentation skills.The Mole Valley Employment and Skills Hub hosts a jobs fair event in Leatherhead every month in partnership with the Epsom and Redhill Jobcentres. Another three larger Jobs Fairs (involving Mole Valley For Business, MV Hub and the Jobcentres) were held at Dorking Halls in June, September and February, each attended by approximately 20 employers and relevant support organisations.  The Dorking Jobs Fair on 21 February was attended by 160 jobseekers, following successful promotion on Facebook and other social media.
  • Status: Green

2023/24 Prosperity Performance Indicators

The extent to which Transform Leatherhead is considered to be making progress towards the Masterplan vision (1 being not at all and 5 very well)

  • Status: Unknown
  • Commentary: The next survey is due to take place in 2024.

Number of new Mole Valley Employment and Skills Hub clients on benefits

  • Status: Red
  • Commentary: Registrations are behind the target for Q3 2023/24 for new clients on benefits (247 against a target of 280). However, it is likely that the Department of Work and Pension (DWP) target of 330 by the end the measuring period (29 February 2024) will be met as the figure for November 2023 was 34 new clients on benefits and figures are expected to be similar for the next three months.  The quarterly DWP review in November 2023 found that ‘the Hub continues to deliver an outstanding programme.’ Total registrations (including those not on benefits) is 484.

Customer satisfaction level for Dorking Halls

  • Status: Green

 

GUIDING PRINCIPLES: Putting People First; Openness and Accessibility; Acting Sustainably; and Living within our means

2023/24 Guiding Principles Annual Plan Objectives

“Review our Council Strategy and Medium Term Financial Plan to ensure the sustainability of council services beyond April 2023“

  • Progress Overview: The Council Strategy was considered by Scrutiny on 23 January and Cabinet on 6th February and was approved by Council on 20 February 2024. The new Strategy will be effective from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2028. The Strategy will be available as accessible web pages on the MVDC website but also as printed copies via MVDC’s Customer Services Unit. A communications campaign will launch the adopted Strategy utilising MVDCs channels, including a press release, social media, the Leader’s statement, residents’ newsletter and other stakeholder engagement.  Progress against the commitments under each of the four priorities will be reported regularly to Cabinet in the Business & Budget Monitoring Reports.A report presenting the  updated MTFP was taken to Cabinet in November and included approval of a new Fees and Charges Pricing Strategy.   A suite of reports were considered by Scrutiny on 23 January and Cabinet on 6th February and were approved by Council on 20 February 2024.  These included the Budget and Council Tax Resolution report, the Capital Investment and Treasury Management report and the detailed Transformation Business Cases that support the Transformation Programme.
  • Status: Green

“Embark on a programme of Customer Service and Digital Transformation. Bring forward a strategic framework for transformation that will lead to improved customer service, increase efficiency and reduced costs, where there is a clear business case”

  • Progress Overview: We have designed a strategic framework for transformation (Evolve 2026) with a focus on improved customer service, digital transformation (modernised organisation) as well as increased efficiency and reduced costs (aligned to MTFP savings requirement). This is focused on the creation of 17 full business cases, continuous improvement projects and digital projects (already approved by the Strategic Design Authority). Meetings with Project Managers are now in place to support creation and mobilisation of Delivery Plans to realise savings/additional income identified within Business Cases. Governance (Transformation Board and Strategic Design Authority) now in place to monitor, track and report on progress of each project.
  • Status: Green

“Continue to engage in discussions regarding greater collaboration among Surrey authorities and ensure that any changes are in the best interests of the Mole Valley community”

  • Progress Overview: Discussions continue to identify a number of  Economic Development projects to be delivered in partnership with other authorities across East Surrey during 2024/25.A joint Financial Services Manager has been appointed by Spelthorne BC and MVDC as the first step in the establishment of a shared financial services team.
  • Status: Green

“Consider the opportunities and benefits that could be delivered through the provision of a joint depot for Mole Valley and Elmbridge in close proximity to the existing facilities at Randalls Road”

  • Progress Overview: The legal agreement between MVDC and EBC remains outstanding.  Phase 1 outline site design has been carried out by Eunomia.  This shows, as anticipated, that land outside of MVDC ownership will be required. The baseline design has been costed and Eunomia have issued their final report on feasibility. MVDC are commissioning a valuation of the additional land required. Next step is to assess the values of the respective existing depots to inform a business case.  Project managers will be meeting to discuss and then there will be an informal joint briefing for members from both authorities. The risks have been updated to reflect the extent of the capital investment requirement.
  • Status: Green

2023/24 Guiding Principles Performance Indicators

Percentage of calls answered within 60 seconds by the Customer Services Unit

  • Status: Green

Percentage of enquiries resolved at first point of contact by the Customer Services Unit

  • Status: Green

Number of e-forms used to access Council services

  • Status: Data Only
  • Commentary: 19,250 e-forms were used to access Council services between April 2023 and January 2024. Please see the Performance Indicators Report on the Performance page for further information on this PI.

Percentage of commercial rent collected within 21 days of invoice

  • Status: Red
  • Commentary: Performance at Q3 2023/24 is below target at 58% against a target of 90%.  This is due to a number of factors.  Commercial arrears analysis report every day to check progress but the December quarter is traditionally slower due to the Christmas period.  Additionally, invoices were sent out very close to the quarter day, which means that the direct debits won’t be taken until 1st or 2nd February.  The process is being reviewed to avoid this going forward.

Percentage of council tax collected

  • Status: Amber
  • Commentary: Performance as at the end of January is 93.40% against a target of 94.05%.  Collection rates for Council Tax in December & January are typically lower due to it being the Christmas and New Year period.  We have also found increased numbers making contact to request arrangements or pay over 12 months instead of 10 to reduce the households monthly outgoings due to the continued high costs of living nationally.  The Council encourages people to get in contact if they are struggling to pay their Council Tax so that they can be supported. For 2023/24 the end of year target has been reduced to 98.5% which is consistent with collection performance over the last few years.

Percentage of business rates collected

  • Status: Amber
  • Commentary: Performance as at the end of January is 88.61% against a target of 89.86%.  Due to the high costs of living some businesses are struggling as people cannot afford to spend.  The revaluation in April 2023 has also seen a large rise in rateable values for businesses.
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