Agenda item

The Overview and Scrutiny panel (Performance & Growth) is invited to consider and comment on progress and performance during Quarter 2.

Executive Councillor: S Ferguson

By means of a report by the Business Intelligence and Performance Manager (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book), the Corporate Performance 2025/26 Quarter 2 Report was presented to the Panel.

A question regarding training for AI was raised. The Member asked if this was used by Officers in a structured way or on an ad hoc basis. Attention was  also drawn attention to Corporate Plan Action 64 of the report, commenting that it was classed as amber but was green previously. He asked how listening to residents is measured and does amber mean this is not happening. The Panel heard that the proper use of AI can be a huge productivity enhancement, and an automated service is being introduced to the Customer Service Team as part of an aggressive cost saving project. In response to a query regarding CPA 64, it was confirmed that the Team have joined a County wide service to responding to Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), including sending a series of surveys to residents and interact with FAQ’s and information on key questions are available on the website. They also heard further clarification regarding green, amber and red status can be provided to the Panel.

The report was praised for including the preferred direction of travel and suggested if the Green waste could be normalised by rainfall. The Panel heard that rainfall is a factor but there are many considerations which are taken into account. It was acknowledged that perhaps the target could be reviewed again.

The delivery of Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) was raised and the Member questioned why this was showing as green in the report. The Panel heard that the green status shows the strategy is in place and the data will be reviewed over a period of six months before conclusions can be drawn.

PI17 was mentioned, particularly relating to the number of business engagements made by the Economic Development Team. They would have liked to have seen more detail regarding the successes of the Team, such as the Huntingdonshire Does Defence event. The Panel heard Officers have been encouraged to bring more visibility to their interactions and are working to share this information in All Member’s Briefings. It was confirmed that ensuring this information is shared means that Huntingdonshire remains a place where businesses will want to invest which remains part of the Economic Strategy.

A question was also raised about PI11, the number of Affordable Houses that have been delivered, noting that the target was predicted to remain at Red. It was requested that Councillor Wakeford come back to the Panel to advise how this is going to be addressed. It was confirmed that whilst the number of houses is not something the Organisation can directly influence, it needs to be influenced somehow as the consequences of not having enough affordable housing is reflected in some of the Red statuses showing from the Housing and Homelessness Team. It was heard that in previous years, the Organisation had delivered a record number of houses. The Panel were advised that they would need to invite Councillor Wakeford back to hear further information from him.

Relating to PI23, it was stated that it would be useful to know where the inspections had taken place and further insight into the grading system was requested. The Panel heard that a methodology and breakdown of the wards visited was provided previously but Officers were happy to share after the meeting. *A hard copy was provided to the Member after the meeting.

The Panel questioned when Civil Parking Enforcement will be rolled out across the District as Members are still experiencing issues across their areas. The Panel heard this will be taken away and an answer sought. They were also advised that an update will be provided in an All Member’s briefing before the end of the year and further information will come back to this Panel after six months once more data has been collated and reviewed.

The topic of Active Travel Matters was mentioned, particularly the Active Travel Routes project. The Member asked if local Members had been engaged with this, raising a proposed travel route from Phoenix Park to Wyboston as a potential issue.  The Panel heard that more information could be sought regarding this but it will most likely be a referral to Cambridgeshire County Council.

After an update request regarding the Old Falcon, the Panel heard that this will be taken away and a written answer sought.

Following the discussion, it was

RESOLVED

that the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel be passed to Cabinet for their consideration when making a decision upon the recommendations within the report.