Issue - meetings

To present performance management information on the Council’s Corporate Plan for 2018/22 and progress updates for current projects.

Executive Councillors: J A Gray and D M Tysoe.

The Cabinet considered and commented upon the progress made against the Key Actions and Corporate Indicators in the Corporate Plan and current projects, as outlined in Appendix A and detailed in Appendices B and C of the report now submitted.

The Cabinet also considered and commented upon the financial performance at the end of September, as detailed in Appendix D of the report now submitted and the register of reviews of Commercial Investment Strategy propositions as outlined in Appendix E of the report now submitted.

With the aid of a report by the Business Intelligence & Performance Manager and Finance Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were presented with details of the delivery of the Key Actions and Corporate Indicators listed in the Council’s Corporate Plan 2018/22. The report also incorporated progress on the current projects being undertaken at the Council and financial performance information at the end of September 2019.

The Chief Operating Officer delivered an update on the background to the report, drawing attention to the performance levels achieved during quarter two. In noting the number of corporate projects currently RAG’d as red, an explanation was delivered on actions undertaken by the Project Management Governance Board and the finding that unrealistic timeframes had been set together with a lack of up to date governance documentation. The Cabinet were informed that steps were being taken to address these matters which included the arrival of the Programme Delivery Manager in the New Year.

The Executive Leader commented upon areas where positive performance levels had been achieved, specifically in relation to homelessness, commercial properties and community litter pick initiatives. Comment was made that more proactive publicity should be undertaken in this respect.

The Finance Manager then went on to explain the financial outturn position at the end of quarter 2 where it was noted that an underspend of £0.328m had been achieved. In response to questions, the Corporate Director (People) delivered an explanation of the variances relating to areas within the Operations Service and the actions taken to resolve these matters.

Following a brief discussion on the capital budget required for the One Leisure St Ives Outdoor Centre redevelopment project, and having considered the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth), the Cabinet

RESOLVED

a)  to note the 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 report now submitted; and

b)  to note the Council’s financial performance at the end of September 2019, as detailed in Appendix D and the register of reviews of Commercial Investment Strategy propositions as detailed in Appendix E of the report now submitted.

The Panel are to consider the Integrated Performance Report 2019/20 - Quarter 2.

With the aid of a report by the Business Intelligence and Performance Manager and the Finance Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Integrated Performance of the Council for Quarter 2 of 2019/20 was presented to the Panel.

Before introducing the report, the Chief Operating Officer introduced himself and explained the role and what services he will be responsible for. The Panel was given an overview of how well the Council are doing against the Key Actions and Performance Indicators. In addition to this the Panel was given further details of the projects that were delayed. These include the server room migration which is almost complete, Council Anywhere which is a time based slippage previously reported to Members and the IT Business System for Operations which the Council are making progress.

Councillor Gaskin asked if there could be a link between getting Council Anywhere up and running and reducing the heating costs. In reply it was explained that as more Officers are willing to work from home, it could be possible reduce heating costs.

A question was asked if Key Action 25 includes the backdated rental income from a tenant in Riverside Park. The Chief Operating Officer has stated he would find out whether it did or not. In relation to the same Key Action, Councillor Chapman asked what the process for the removal of restricted covenants was and are Parish and Town Councils notified. The Chief Operating Officer stated that he would clarify the process and respond.

Councillor Gulson asked why £285k was pulled out of reserves for Transformation but that no explanation was given in the report. In response, the Chief Operating Officer confirmed that the £285k was related to planned investment and that Transformation works on projects around the Council.

It was noted that there were some Performance Indicators where no update had been received but Members were informed that the reason for this was because a team had recently lost a key member of staff. Members were assured these indicators were forecast to be Green.

A question was asked about why had there been a higher than expected number of avoidable contacts, in response it was explained that there had been slippage in the delivery of a project which would allow customers to log a street scene request and track it themselves. This in turn has resulted a higher than forecast number of calls to log requests and more calls to track those requests. Once the project is complete it is hoped that avoidable contact will be reduced.

There was some confusion over the status of the One Leisure St Ives Changing Rooms project but it was clarified that the project is currently pending approval and this is down to the fact that there are other projects outstanding which require completing first. It was noted that the project has not been update since July and the Chief Operating Officer stated that he will seek a further update.

Concern was expressed that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40