Agenda item

Report of the Interim Chief Executive attached.

The Panel considered a report of the Interim Chief Executive which outlined the Council’s performance against the delivery of the Corporate Plan projects and objectives during Period 1 (April-June 2020).

Overall, performance of the projects was good, with 85% of projects either completed, succeeding or on-track.

It was acknowledged that efforts had been largely focused on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic during Period 1 and the Panel commended the council’s approach to supporting residents during the pandemic. Reassurances were provided that the Council will continue to support residents.

Members noted the opportunity for additional efficiencies as a result of an increase in online transactions due to the coronavirus pandemic and queried the progress of this. In response, the Panel was informed that a draft Benefits Realisation Plan would be available at the next meeting and members looked forward to receiving this.

Clarification as to why the review of the Council’s surplus assets was off-track was requested and members were advised, in response, that there had been some challenges in recruiting staff to the Council’s property department. Assurances were provided that the appropriate resources were now in place and that stock condition surveys were underway.

In response to queries around the financial impact of COVID-19 on the Council’s income, members were informed that there had been a significant loss of revenue from the Business and Conference Centre as a result of restrictions and that all capital investments into the Civic Centre had been paused. Despite this, members welcomed assurance that the Council was not solely reliant on income generated by external bookings.

Members queried the ‘Active Streets’ project and how the success of this was assessed. In response, the Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Wellbeing advised that the project had received good feedback in Leyland and that several families had been engaged with.

Success would be assessed in relation to anti-social behaviour levels, but further detail would be provided later in the year once easier to measure. The Panel welcomed this and requested that this evaluation and details of any further roll-out be provided tomembers.

Information on progress with the Leyland Loop was also requested.

Queries were also raised regarding the outcome of homelessness interventions during the coronavirus pandemic. Those at risk were housed during the initial lockdown but this would not be on a permanent basis. It was acknowledged that circumstances had provided an opportunity for the Council to consider how best to help those at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

Members were interested to note how the Youth Council project would target hard-to-reach youth. Planning for this was still underway but it was suggested that debate clubs in schools would enable the scheme to be inclusive and accessible to all young people.

The Panel commended the council’s approach to supporting residents during the pandemic and queried if there was capacity to maintain this level of support. In response, a need for additional resources was acknowledged but reassurances were given that the Council will continue to support residents. 

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That

1.    the Panel thanks the Leader and Interim Chief Executive for their detailed report and answering the Panel’s questions.

2.    the Panel looks forward to receiving a copy of the Benefits Realisation Plan oncecomplete.

3.    the Panel welcomes the strategic review of council assets and the reassurance that the resources and skills are now in place.

4.    the Panel requests that the evaluation of ‘Active Streets’ and any details of any further roll-out be provided tomembers.

5.    information on progress with the Leyland Loop be provided to members of thePanel.