The Board considered the Integrated Finance
and Performance Report for Quarter 1 and discussed the format of
the report. The Director of Policy,
Performance and Partnerships commented that in order to work
towards “excellence” the shift should now be more
towards looking at outcomes, customer service and value for
money.
It was noted by the Board that the planned
shared services was having an effect on staff morale and the
Director of Policy, Performance and Partnerships advised Members
that through the regular staff forums achievements were now being
included to remind staff of the positive work that continued to be
carried out.
The Board considered Section 4.2 of the
report, Sundry Debtors, and expressed concern at the amount of debt
outstanding for over 6 months. After
discussion it was agreed that a detailed report on this would be
requested from the Director of Finance and Resources.
The Board discussed the following items in
detail:
- Environmental Services - NVQ
training for the refuse and recycling crews. Officers advised Members that full details of this
would be provided at the Scrutiny Board meeting to be held on 28th
September 2010 and that the Head of Environmental Services would be
in attendance to answer Members’ questions.
- Environmental Services - Long-term
and short-term sickness. Overall the
Council was still on track to meet its target, but should continue
to be monitored.
- An increase in homelessness,
particularly in young people.
- Regulatory Services –
performance measuring.
- Legal, Equalities and Democratic
Services – inquorate Board
meetings.
- National Indicator (NI) 185
C02 Emissions. The areas which had
caused the Council to not be on target were discussed.
- Business Transformation –
sickness levels higher than expected.
- Customer Service – the average
speed of answering calls.
The Director of Policy, Performance and
Partnerships undertook to seek clarification/further information on
the following items:
- Environmental Services - Rollout of
paper and cardboard recycling collection. Members asked for clarification on the target
figure and the cost, if any, to the Council for this
service.
- Planning & Environment Services
– allocation of funds regarding Houndsfield Lane Caravan Site.
- Leisure and Cultural Services
– downturn in sponsorship and promotions figures.
- Number of Lifeline calls –
there appeared to be a discrepancy in the figures and the Director
of Policy, Performance and Partnership confirmed that he would
ensure this was corrected.
- Finance and Resources –
shortage of internal audit resource.
Members were concerned about the impact of this following the
transfer to Worcester City Council under the WETT
programme.
- Finance and Resources –
benefit service performance and overpaid benefit cases.
- Business Transformation –
explanation in respect of overspend.
- Inclusion of a performance indicator
for Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs).
- The number of violent crimes and a
breakdown of the areas to which they refer.
RECOMMENDED:
(a)
that the Cabinet’s attention be drawn to the issues arising
from the vacancies which remain on various Boards/Committees;
(b)
that the Director of Policy, Performance and Partnerships and Head
of Regulatory Services, in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder
and ...
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