Agenda item

Quarter 1 2010/11 Integrated Finance and Performance Report

Minutes:

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 other partners develop a suitable performance report format; and

(c) that the Licensing Committee be made aware of the potential problems with violent crime relating to the Love 2 Love Nightclub in Bromsgrove Town Centre.

RESOLVED:

(a) that it be noted that 60% of performance indicators are stable or improving;

(b) that it be noted that 45% of performance indicators that have a target have met their targets as at the month end and 80% are projected to meet their target at the year end;

(d) that the achievements and issues as set out in ‘Council Summary’ in 4.1.l be noted;

(e) that the current financial position on Revenue and Capital as detailed in the report be noted;

(f) that the release of previously approved earmarked reserves of £68k, as set out in Appendix 5 be noted;

(g) that the budget virements between £15k and £100k, listed in Appendix 6 be noted;

(h) that complaints increased by 7% compared to the final quarter of last year and increased 13% compared to quarter 1 last year as detailed in Appendix 7 be noted;

(i) that the performance of the Council’s Treasury Management function, as detailed in Appendix 8 be noted;

(j) that the Head of Strategic Housing be asked to provide a detailed report on homelessness for the meeting of the Board to be held on 18th October 2010 and that the Portfolio Holder for Regulation, Strategic Housing and Climate Change be asked to attend that meeting; and

(k) that a separate report on sundry debtors be provided for the Board meeting to be held on 18th October 2010.

Supporting documents: