Agenda item

2017-18 - Second quarterly position statement on finance, performance and risk

Minutes:

The Business and Customer Services Portfolio Holder explained that the quarterly performance figures were first considered by the Portfolio Holder, then the Scrutiny and Overview Committee and finally by Cabinet.

 

New housing

The Business and Customer Services Portfolio Holder spoke positively with regard to a bid being made to move a sewage works at Milton, which would free up a large amount of land in the District for housing. He further explained that Section 106 money was funding a number of worthwhile projects.

 

Bin collection

It was noted that the Council had successfully introduced new bin collecting arrangements, with a collection rate of 99.55%.

 

Percentage of invoices paid in 30 days

It was noted that whilst this Performance Indicator was currently an “amber” it was improving and further improvements could be expected in the next quarter.

 

Staff sickness days per Full-Time Equivalent

This had been affected by a number of Waste Services staff transferred who had been on long-term sick leave.

 

Percentage of formal complaint responses sent within timescale

Councillor Bridget Smith suggested that the target of 80% should be increased. The Business and Customer Services Portfolio Holder explained that many complaints were complex and so it took time to respond to them. The Head of People and Organisational Development explained that the complaints process was being reviewed. It was noted that complaints were sent to the Chief Executive’s Office before being sent out to the appropriate service area.

 

ICT Business Plan

The Business and Customer Services Portfolio Holder explained that a new business plan was required for ICT, as the original plan had proved to be over-optimistic. He expected that, as with other shared services projects, savings would be realised in time.

 

Risks

The Business and Customer Services Portfolio Holder explained that the Council was assessing risk in a new way by showing the risk score before and after the risk controls.

 

Councillor Bridget Smith expressed concern that there were matters that were outside the control of the Council and that the mitigating controls would have a limited impact.

 

Planning performance

The Business and Customer Services Portfolio Holder explained that the risk of the authority being designated as a poorly performing planning authority was in the control of the councillors on the Planning Committee, as it depended on the number of planning applications being granted by the Planning Inspector on appeal.

 

Recruitment and retention of staff

In response to concerns raised regarding the risk STR 13 Recruitment and Retention of staff,  the Head of People and Organisational Development explained that the Council was working to control this risk through use of agency staff and market supplements. It was noted that the Council could not match the salaries of the private sector.

 

The Business and Customer Services Portfolio Holder stated that he was satisfied with the new format, but requested that in future it be standardised with the report on the Scrutiny and Overview Committee agenda.

 

The Business and Customer Services Portfolio Holder

 

RECOMMENDED    that Cabinet

 

A)           Review the provisional outturn position together with the performance and risk issues contained in this report and Appendices A-C determining, where appropriate, any actions, including redeployment of resources, required to address issues identified, and

B)           Approve the Strategic Risk Register and Matrix (Appendices D-E).

Supporting documents: