Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Head of People, Performance and Partnerships containing details of the Council’s performance against its priority objectives.

Noted the Council's performance against the targets within the Corporate Plan.

(At this stage of the meeting Councillor J A Gray left the meeting – 7.30pm)

The Cabinet received and noted a report by the Head of People, Performance and Partnerships, (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which reviewed the Council's performance against the targets within the Corporate Plan. The report which included data and narrative on the achievement against targets for each of the Council's priority objectives had been considered also by the Overview and Scrutiny Panels whose comments were relayed to the Cabinet.

To consider a report by the Head of People, Performance and Partnerships containing details of the Council’s performance against its priority objectives.

The Panel considered a report by the Head of People, Performance and Partnerships (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the performance of the authority against the priority objectives for environmental well-being identified in "Growing Success", the Council's corporate plan. 

With regard to the failure to meet the target for the number of energy efficiency and renewable energy measures carried out as a result of District Council schemes and promotions, the Head of Environmental Management explained that this was due to an unavoidable delay in appointing contractors for the “Cosy Homes” insulation scheme. 

Members requested clarification as to the definition of ‘Songbird funding’ which had reportedly been downgraded resulting in broadband projects to complement BT roll out needing to be re-assessed.

To consider a report by the Head of People, Performance and Partnerships containing details of the Council’s performance against its priority objectives.

The Panel considered a report by the Head of People, Performance and Partnerships (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) containing details of the Council’s performance against the priority objectives in the Panel’s remit in the quarter to 30^th June 2010. Attention was drawn to the matters raised at the meeting of the Corporate Plan Working Group and, in relation to the measure “internal promotions as a percentage of all vacancies filled”, the Scrutiny and Review Manager reported that 8 fixed term posts had been advertised in the reporting period.

With regard to the fall in income from hospitality in the previous quarter following the closure of the St Neots bars and catering operation, Members were informed that it had been possible to accrue savings on staff costs, reduced opening hours, better supplier prices and less wastage. This had enabled profit margins to remain on target. Having noted that a further report on performance of the Leisure Centres would be submitted to the October meeting of the Panel, it was suggested that this ought to include details of any returns on the capital investment which had been made at the Leisure Centres in previous years. At the instigation of the Corporate Plan Working Group, Members also were advised that a bid had been submitted to the Government to establish a Local Enterprise Partnership for the Greater Cambridge – Greater Peterborough area.

The Panel discussed a previous request by the Corporate Plan Working Group for an update on the Council’s use of external consultants. Having noted that expenditure on consultants had amounted to £1.8 million in the previous year and in the context of the earlier discussions on the financial forecast, Members agreed that the Cabinet should be recommended to reduce the amount the Council spent on employing external consultants by £1.5m in the current financial year.

The Panel endorsed the recommendations of the Corporate Plan Working Group, which had been designed to enhance the Council’s approach to its strategic budget planning and performance management. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet be recommended

a)  to consider the Panels’ comments as part of its deliberations on the report by the Head of People, Performance and Partnerships;

b)  to seek contributions from opposition groups, all other Members, employees and the public in the search for the necessary financial savings;

c)  to take fully into account the views expressed by those identified in recommendation (b) above and review the Council’s priorities, aims and objectives in the Corporate Plan with the Overview and Scrutiny Panels being involved in the review process;

d)  to develop a clear vision of what services should be retained, delivered differently or withdrawn as a result of recommendation (c) above and use this as a guide in the application of the Council’s Redundancy Policy;

e)  to review all internal and external performance indicators to ensure that they are appropriate to the service delivered by or in partnership with the Council with the Corporate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34

To consider a report by the Head of People, Performance and Partnerships containing details of the Council’s performance against its priority objectives.

15 Minutes.

The Panel considered a report by the Head of People, Performance and Partnerships (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) containing details of the Council’s performance against its priority objectives in the quarter to 30^th June 2010. Members endorsed for submission to the Cabinet the comments of the Corporate Plan Working Group, particularly with regard to the objectives where targets had not been achieved.

Members received clarification on a number of matters raised by the Corporate Plan Working Group relating to the number of users visiting Leisure Centres, exercise classes for older people and alternative types of affordable housing. Having considered the recommendations of the Corporate Plan Working Group which had been designed to enhance the Council’s approach to its strategic budget planning and performance management, it was

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet be invited

(a)  to consider the Panel’s comments as part of its deliberations on the report by the Head of People, Performance and Partnerships;

(b)  to seek contributions from opposition groups, all Members, employees and the public in the search for the necessary financial savings;

(c)  to take into account fully the views expressed as a result of recommendation (b) above and review the Council’s priorities, aims and objectives in the Corporate Plan with the Overview and Scrutiny Panels being involved in the review process;

(d)  to develop a clear vision of what services should be retained, delivered differently or withdrawn as a result of recommendation (c) above and use this as a guide in the application of the Council’s Redundancy Policy; and

(e)  to review all internal and external performance indicators to ensure that they remain appropriate to services delivered by or in partnership with the Council and to involve the Corporate Plan Working Group in the review process.