Issue - meetings

To receive performance management information on the Council’s Corporate Plan for 2016/18 and updates on current projects.

To review and note progress made against Key Activities and Corporate Indicators in the Corporate Plan and current projects, as summarised in Appendix A and detailed in Appendices B and C.

To review and note the Council’s financial performance at the end of December as detailed in Appendices D and E, and achievement of the Peer Challenge Action Plan, attached at Appendix G.

To review and note the Capital Programme rephrasing of some schemes into 2017/18 as detailed in Appendix D.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Corporate Team Manager and Head of Resources (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book along with the associated Appendices) and commented on progress against the Key Activities and Corporate Indicators listed in the Council’s Corporate Plan for 2016/17 for the period 1st January to 31st March 2017.  The report also incorporated progress on the current projects being undertaken at the Council; details of the 2016/17 provisional outturn for revenue and capital spend; and an update on the Commercial Investment Strategy including details of the investments to date and the level of returns these were expected to generate. A progress report on the Peer Challenge Action Plan is also included following approval at their meeting in November 2016. Thereby it was;

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet:

a)  considered and commented on progress made against Key Activities and Corporate Indicators in the Corporate Plan and current projects, as summarised in Appendix A and detailed in Appendices B and C of the Officer’s report now submitted;

b)  considered and commented on the Council’s financial performance at the end of December, as detailed in Appendices D and E, and achievement of the Peer Challenge Action Plan, appended as Appendix G of the Officer’s report now submitted; and

c)  considered and commented on the Capital Programme rephasing of some schemes into 2017/18 as detailed in Appendix D of the Officer’s report now submitted.

The Integrated Performance Report 2016/17 – Quarter 4 is to be presented to the Panel.

With the aid of a report by the Head of Resources and the Corporate Team Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Integrated Performance Report 2016/17 Quarter 4 was presented to the Panel.

The Panel were informed that 78% of the Key Actions are green, 19% are amber and only 1 Key Action was red and in regards to the Corporate Indicators, 19% are red. In respect to the provisional outturn net spend there is an underspend of £600k. There has been £7m spent on the Capital Programme which is an underspend of £4m.

The Panel noted that no Executive Councillor was in attendance for this item and stated that it would be good to have one in attendance.

Concern was raised that the target for the average time between the date of referral of Disable Facilities Grants (DFGs) to practical completion for minor jobs up to £10k has been missed. A total of 58 were completed within the 28 week target and this represents 34.7%. A Member asked is this the standard for the County or just Huntingdonshire. In response Members were informed that a report outlining the detail will be presented to Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Communities and Environment) in July. In addition the Panel was informed that for smaller DFGs the target is less in South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City.

A Member expressed concern that income for One Leisure was down on the previous year. It was noted that this was because there was a bundling of gym memberships which has since proved unpractical.

In response to a question regarding the need for capital money to be spent at One Leisure the Panel were informed that that for any capital programme there is a business case put forward and only when the business case has been approved can capital money be spent. In regards to the 3G pitches at St Neots the Head of Resources stated that as the Section 151 Officer he is not prepared to invest money into a leisure centre where the Council don’t have a 20 year lease.

Following a query, the Finance Manager agreed to research has more money been spent on homelessness related housing benefits and where has the money been spent. In addition the Finance Manager agreed to find out how many 3rd Floor Multi-story Car Park licences have been sold.

In regards to the Zero Based Budgeting reds and the impact it will that have on this year’s budget, the Panel were informed that where known beforehand the non-savings were incorporated into this years’ budget which has since been approved.