Issue - meetings

The Cabinet is to consider the Productivity Plans Report.

Executive Councillor: S J Conboy

The Cabinet has

(a)  approved the Productivity Plan for Huntingdonshire District Council which will form the Council’s submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government; and

(b)  that the Council’s Continuous Improvement Plan be approved.

The Cabinet has considered a report by the Corporate Director (People) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the Council’s proposed Productivity Plan prior to submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The Executive Leader confirmed details of the requirement for the Council to complete a Productivity Plan following a request for this on 16th April 2024 from the then Minister for Local Government, Simon Hoare. In noting the Council’s compliance with meeting the timescales required in preparation for submission by 19th July 2024, it was further noted that the Council had undertaken an additional action of developing a Continuous Improvement Plan to assist with transforming the services provided to the public to be more efficient.

In noting the comments raised by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth) and assurance provided to the Panel and explanation provided by the Chief Executive in the likelihood of the emergence of new guidance and legislative provisions with the change in Government that the document would remain as a living document, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the Productivity plan for Huntingdonshire District Council which will form the Council’s submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government be approved; and

(b)  that the Council’s Continuous Improvement Plan be endorsed.

The Panel is invited to comment on the Productivity Plan Report.

Executive Councillor: S Conboy

By means of a report by the Corporate Director (People) (a copy of which was appended in the Minute book), the Productivity Plan report was presented to the Panel.

In response to a comment from Councillor Martin, the Panel were assured that regular benchmarking against industry standards and other neighbouring authorities took place, and that the proposed increase in productivity would not be at the expense of quality. Following a further question from Councillor Martin, the Panel heard that the plans would be embedded within the organisation through key metrics and the Corporate Plan. By using strategic engagement and reporting across the organisation, best practice could be employed for all. It was also noted that the Workforce Strategy would address the required skills and capabilities going forward which would allow for key actions and best practice to be embedded within the culture.

Following a concern raised by Councillor Blackwell regarding the lack of numerical targets, the Panel were assured that metrics and KPIs would be used to measure in each area but that these were already being captured in the performance reports which are regularly brought through the democratic cycle and were therefore not duplicated within this report.

Councillor Pickering observed that there was an issue with some of the links contained within the document, this was noted and the correct documents will be circulated to the Panel following the meeting.

In response to a question from Councillor Wells regarding the 4 day working week model used at South Cambs District Council, the Panel heard that the Council was constantly monitoring best practice and evidence of what works, and continually review opportunities to be more effective. Following a question from Councillor Cawley, the Panel were advised that the aim was not to reduce residents abilities to contact the Council but to reduce the need to contact, by working harder there should be less need to contact the Council. In response to a further question from Councillor Cawley, the Panel heard that AI opportunities were being investigated where they could provide benefit to the Council, with the example of note and minute taking being given as an opportunity currently being explored.

Whereupon it was thereby

RESOLVED

that the comments from the Panel would be added to the Cabinet report in order for an informed decision to be made on the report recommendations.