Issue - meetings

To receive a report presenting an update on delivery of the Corporate Plan during Quarter 3 of 2024/25.

Executive Councillors: S Ferguson and L Davenport-Ray.

The Cabinet has considered and commented on progress and performance during Quarter 3 as summarised in the Corporate Performance Report and detailed in Appendices 1, A and B of the submitted report.

The Cabinet received and noted a report (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) presenting an update on delivery of the Corporate Plan during Quarter 3 (October to December 2024).

In introducing the report, the Executive Councillor for Resident Services and Corporate Performance drew attention to the performance indicators that had been discussed by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth) at their meeting on 5th March 2025. Matters that were discussed included the issues being experienced with the Disabled Facilities Grants, the decline in performance levels for the waste performance indicators and the positive impact the Enforcement and Operations Team were having in respect of fly tipping. Having regard to the former, it was noted that investigations by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel Task and Finish Group were now underway with Cabinet Members acknowledging the complicated process that existed when working with partners such as the Home Improvement Agency and Places for People which impacted upon the delays experienced. Having regard to missed bin collections, Cabinet Members were mindful that this was partly attributed to unintended consequences of incidents such as road closures but the Executive Councillor for Open Spaces, Waste and Street Scene delivered assurances that attempts were made by refuse crews to return and pick up missed collections.

With reference to paragraph 4.9 of the report, the Chief Executive advised that the information reported was a true and accurate reflection of the meeting but that she would be requesting Officers to provide the correct update to Councillor D Terry and Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth) accordingly.

A brief discussion then ensued on further education provision within St Neots. Cabinet Members acknowledged that the District Council was working with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority to tackle the shortfall in provision within the area with work being undertaken to engage with existing providers on how the present offer could be enhanced. Formal bidding offers were currently being put forward. The Chair undertook to ensure that St Neots District Ward Members, and Members generally, were kept informed of any developments arising from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

Having commended Officers for the production of a comprehensive report, it was

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet has considered and commented on progress and performance during Quarter 3 as summarised in the Corporate Performance Report and detailed in Appendices 1, A and B of the report now submitted.

The Panel is invited to comment on the Corporate Performance Report Quarter 3 2024/25.

Executive Councillors: S Ferguson and L Davenport-Ray

By means of a report by the Performance Co-ordinator and the Business Performance and Insights Team Leader (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book) the Corporate Performance Quarter 3 2024/25 Report was presented to the Panel.

In response to a question from Councillor Jennings, the Panel heard that detail would be sought and brought back to the Panel on the numbers of DFG applications made and the number granted, along with confirming the internal escalation process for this. The Executive Councillor shared the Panel’s frustrations at the processes involved and reassured that conversations were ongoing with Places for People to ensure maximum efficiencies and positives outcomes be achieved for residents.

It was confirmed to the Panel, following questions from Councillor Pitt and Councillor Chapman that the upgrades to pathways in St Neots had been carried out in Regatta Meadows and not Riverside Park as stated within the report. The Panel were further assured that further funding streams were being investigated in order to progress the upgrades for the Riverside Park.

The Panel heard, in response to a question from Councillor Corney, that the Enforcement and Operations Teams were extremely efficient at dealing with fly tips reported to the Council and were assured that prosecutions were made where possible. It was noted that this was a new measure within the report but that the increase in reported incidents within December were unlikely to be linked to the introduction of subscriptions for green bins due to the seasonality of that service.

Following an observation from Councillor Chapman that bin collections had been severely impacted within St Neots due to road closures by the County Council, and querying whether this was the reason which PI21 was at red status, the Panel heard that detail would be sought and brought back to the Panel. In response to a further question on missed bins from Councillor Jennings, the Panel heard that the figures for missed bins were achieved through a combination of in-cab data and resident reports, and that full detail on the metrics behind PI21 would be provided to the Panel at a later date.

Councillor Pickering expressed concern that the amber status of PI34 was being reported within the Council’s performance metrics but that the delays were outside of the Council’s control. The Panel heard that this was a CPCA project which would help fulfil an identified needs for further education provision in St Neots and that the project was included within the report as it aligned with the Council’s Corporate Plan values.

The Panel heard that an update on the progress of the Electrical Vehicle charging report would be provided following an enquiry by Councillor Pitt.

In response to a question from Councillor Pickering, the Panel heard that the workshops and meetings reference in Outcome 5 of the report, were local and national events, including UK REEF, attended by Officers and Executive Councillors to promote Huntingdonshire as a destination for business investment. The Panel further heard that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63