Issue - meetings

Report of the Interim Chief Executive attached.

Decision made (Unanimously):

That Cabinet notes that the performance summary outlined in the report starts a new reporting period, referred to as period 1. This reflects the deliverables and priorities of the Corporate Plan approved by Council in September 2019.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster presented the report of the Interim Chief Executive that provided an update on the first period of performance against the objectives of the Corporate Plan 2019-23. Those present were advised that Quarter 3 and Period 1 of the Performance Monitoring would be aligned in the new municipal year.

The Cabinet were pleased to note that the majority of projects were on track and particular thanks were given to the Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, Social Justice and Wealth Building, Councillor Aniela Bylinski-Gelder and officers for the improvements made to call waiting times in Gateway.

In response to a query from Councillor Alan Ogilvie on the status of the anti-idling campaign, the Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Susan Jones reported that the project had fallen behind due to resource issues, however since the appointment of a new member of staff this project was being delivered as a priority. Work would include appealing to motorists in hotspot areas around the borough and a meeting was scheduled with Runshaw College to address the issue at the site.

Members discussed how improvements to traffic light sequencing could also help to improve air quality in the borough. Lancashire County Council had recently quoted £50,000 to fix the sequencing issue at one site in the borough. The Council had responded to LCC in opposition this and a meeting had been scheduled with officers.

Decision made (Unanimously):

That Cabinet notes that the performance summary outlined in the report starts a new reporting period, referred to as period 1. This reflects the deliverables and priorities of the Corporate Plan approved by Council in September 2019.

Reason(s) for the decision:

The Council’s performance framework sets out the process for reporting progress against the objectives of the Corporate Plan. The performance framework has been recently updated and the new reporting periods will be reflected in the framework. All reports will continue to be considered by the Council’s Leadership Programme Board, Scrutiny Budget and Performance Panel and Cabinet.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Not applicable

Report of the Interim Chief Executive attached.

The Panel considered a report of the Interim Chief Executive which outlined the Council’s performance during Period 1 (October – December 2019).

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster, advised that this was the first report highlighting performance against the delivery of the new Corporate Plan projects and objectives, adopted in September 2019.

Overall, performance of the projects was good, with 2 of 46 succeeding and 41 on-track.

A Leadership Programme Board has been established to ensure thorough performance monitoring on a rolling basis. This is made up of members of the Council’s Leadership Team and Senior Responsible Officers.

Members expressed concerns that the Council’s pledge of carbon neutrality by 2030 was off-track as the scope for the climate emergency working group had not been agreed. Certain challenges were acknowledged in devising the climate strategy, but members were assured that progress was ongoing. A climate change officer had been appointed and a further report on climate change would be considered at Full Council in June 2020.

Significant improvements in the performance of the Council’s business and conference centre were noted and members queried whether the income target should be increased as a result. This would be reviewed, and further information would be provided to Panel members on the hire fees for the centre.

In response to a query regarding the number of apprentices employed by South Ribble Borough Council, members were informed that nine apprentices were recruited within a 12-month period and that this exceeded a target of 7 apprentices per annum. Information on the number of apprentices recruited since the Apprentice Factory was established was requested and would be provided to Panel members following the meeting.

Members were pleased to note that some recommendations of the Scrutiny Review, ‘Mind the Gap’, were being implemented to support the borough’s most vulnerable residents. A particular example of this was the holiday hunger project which was piloted in Bamber Bridge, Leyland and Penwortham.

An update on the progress of the wider ‘Mind the Gap’ review was requested for the next meeting of the Panel.

Significant improvements in call-waiting times and the new telephony system were welcomed.

Members thanked the Leader of the Council and the Interim Chief Executive for their attendance. 

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That

1.    the Scrutiny Budget and Performance Panel welcomes the reassurance provided on the data quality policy and new Leadership Programme Board to ensure robust programme management.

2.    the income target for increased commercial income for the business and conference centre be reviewed in the future.

3.    the Scrutiny Budget and Performance Panel commends the Apprentice Factory project.

4.    a more detailed update be provided on ‘Mind the Gap’ at the next meeting of the Scrutiny Budget and Performance Panel.

5.    the Scrutiny Budget and Performance Panel welcomes the Gateway’s improved performance.