Agenda item

The Panel is to receive the Quarter 4 Integrated Performance Report and Provisional Outturn 2015/16 (To Follow).

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 2015/16 Quarter 4 was presented to the Panel. Members were informed that of the four Key Actions rated as red, three of them have not been included into the Corporate Plan 2016-18.

In response to a question on the key action of ‘implement action plan to adopt the Local Plan 2036’ and when would the Local Plan be completed, the Panel was informed that consultation would begin in Quarter 1 and the progress of the Local Plan relies on the outcome of the consultation.

The key action of ‘develop a market town centre improvement strategy and action plan for St Neots’ would not be reported on in next year’s Integrated Performance Reports as it won’t be in the Corporate Plan. Following a question on the progress of the market town centre improvement strategy, Members were advised that the Council are willing to engage with St Neots’ Town Councillors if they would like to progress the strategy.

Members were advised that sickness absence has been a significant issue for the Council. The number of staff on long term sickness has reduced and this would be reflected in Quarter 1 for 2016/17. In addition there is targeted action to enable managers to effectively manage employees return to work. The cost to the Council is £400k which equates to 23 Full Time Equivalents (FTE) and if the rate is reduced to the public sector average then the Council could employ an additional 12 FTE.

Following a question on the number of homeless acceptances in relation to the performance indicator of ‘number of unintentional priority homeless acceptances’ Members were informed that a strategic report on the topic would be presented to the Panel at its meeting in September 2016. Members were advised that there is increased homelessness as a result of the reluctance of private rented landlords to take people on benefits as the incentives for private rented landlords to take people on benefits are no longer working and private rented landlords are choosing to take people from employment.

In relation to a question on the performance indicator of ‘number of affordable homes delivered gross’, Members were informed that there has been a dip in the number of houses built however there are major housing projects being developed which will add to the provision of affordable housing.

The Panel was informed that the Registered Social Providers Working Group invited seven of the Housing Associations operating within the District to a workshop where all but one stated that they are planning on developing social housing.

During the discussion of the Budget Surplus Reserve, Members were informed that the Government Levy Payment is a compulsory payment however the rest of the surplus will be reallocated.

A discussion ensued about the possibility of using reserves to buy accommodation for temporary housing as this is seen as a more permanent solution than using bed and breakfasts. Following a question it was confirmed that the Council normally house on average 10 families in bed and breakfast however in the last two quarters the Council have housed between 20 and 30 families.

A Member questioned the need to spend £101k of the reserve on technology to enable staff to work flexibly, however the Panel were advised that by giving employees the flexibility to work offsite the Council could make economy savings greater than £101k by reducing office provision.

In response to a question regarding savings made on establishment costs, the Panel were advised that through the Zero Based Budgeting process the budgets for posts that are no longer deemed necessary (usually vacant) will be removed and the post will be deleted.

The Panel discussed the possibility of establishing a Working Group to investigate how the Budget Surplus Reserve should be reallocated however it was decided that Councillors Mrs A Dickinson, Mrs L A Duffy, T D Sanderson and J White would speak with the Cabinet regarding the composition of the reserve.

Following a question from the Panel in relation to the Alconbury Weald Remediation, Members were advised that the funding would not be affected by the European Union referendum result as the Council are already in possession of the funding. The Panel,

RESOLVED

1)  to seek further clarification for the underspend of Community Grants; and

2)  to nominate Councillors Mrs A Dickinson, Mrs L A Duffy, T D Sanderson and J White to speak with the Cabinet regarding the composition of the Budget Surplus Reserve.

(At 7.14pm, during the discussion of this item, Councillor S Cawley joined the meeting).

(At 8.18pm, after the consideration of this item, Councillor D M Tysoe left the meeting).