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 J Neish.

That progress made against the Key Actions and Corporate Indicators in the Corporate Plan and current projects, as summarised in Appendix A (of the report now submitted) and detailed in Appendices B and C (of the report now submitted) be noted.

That the financial performance at the end of December, as detailed in Appendices D (of the report now submitted) and the register of reviews of Commercial Investment Strategy propositions at Appendix E (of the report now submitted) be noted.

With the aid of a report prepared by the Business Intelligence and Performance Manager and Finance Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were presented with details of delivery of the Corporate Plan 2018/22, and project delivery, in the context of the Council’s financial performance.

The Chief Operating Officer reported that 100% of Key Actions for 2019/20 were green or amber and drew attention to areas where progress had been made in relation to the recruitment of posts within Economic Development, the St Neots Future High Streets Fund and investments in equipment at various One Leisure sites. In respect of Corporate Indicators and Corporate Projects, it was noted that performance was on track at 88% and 89% respectively. Having been informed that there were two red rated Corporate Projects which related to shared services, it was envisaged that the appointment of the new Programme Delivery Manager would help to enhance the Council’s performance in this respect.

Attention was then drawn to the financial performance at the end of Quarter 3. The Cabinet were encouraged to note the forecast outturn of £16.588m which reflected an underspend of £0.569m. Having had their attention drawn to the summary revenue forecast variances by service area, the forecast net expenditure outturn of £4.9m, the positive contribution made by the Commercial Investment Strategy and the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth), the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  to note progress made against the Key Actions 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 December 2019, as detailed in Appendix D and the register of reviews of Commercial Investment Strategy propositions at Appendix E of the report now submitted.

The Panel are to consider the Integrated Performance Report 2019/20 – Quarter 3.

With the aid of a report by the Business Intelligence and Performance Manager and Finance Manager (a copy of which has been appended in the Minute Book), the Integrated Performance of the Council 2019/20, Quarter 3 was presented to the Panel. The Executive Leader introduced the report and informed the Panel that responsibility for the Council’s performance lies with himself and the Deputy Executive Leader.

Councillor Gaskin asked whether the energy use rise (performance indicator 29) could be attributed to another factor other than bad weather. The Member was assured that after analysing the data, the explanation of bad weather was correct. Continuing the theme of energy usage, Councillor Gaskin commented that he thought Council Anywhere would have a beneficial impact upon energy use as Officers chose to work from home more often. In response, the Chief Operating Officer informed Members that the Council was currently rolling out laptops to Officers, but it was anticipated that as Officers choose to work from home more often that would have a beneficial impact upon energy use in next year’s performance report.

Concern was raised that 71% of the Staff Survey results were worse than the 2018 results (performance indicator 34c). The Panel was informed that this could be because the response rate was higher in. Members were assured by the Chief Operating Officer that the Staff Survey results had been reviewed at length by the Employment Committee. The Panel was reminded that 86% of the 2019 results remained better than the 2017 results.

Members were concerned that the new parking machines were taking longer than anticipated to install. It was explained that installation at earlier sites had highlighted a number of issues which needed resolving before proceeding with subsequent installations. In addition, the contractor due to carry out the installation was taken over which caused a delay. Although the Executive Leader noted that where the new car parking machines have been installed the dwell times have increased.

A discussion ensued regarding parking charges, which were forecast to produce a £1.5m surplus this year. It was confirmed by the Executive Leader and the Executive Councillor for Resources that this was down on the forecast due to £34k expenditure on the staggered delivery of the new car parking machines and £40k on the free after three initiative in December.

Councillor Wakeford noted that the Council was significantly ahead of the target regarding homelessness preventions but wanted assurance that the Council would continue to treat the issue as a priority. In response, the Executive Leader stated that the issue remained a high priority for the Council and that there was a significant amount of resources dedicated to tackling the issue.

RESOLVED

that the Panel’s comments on the progress made across the range of performance measures be forwarded to Cabinet for consideration alongside the Integrated Performance Report 2019/20, Quarter 3.