Issue - meetings

To consider the Performance Report for Quarter 1 (2018/19).  

RESOLVED that the performance outlined in the report of the Director of Finance and Organisation be noted.  

A report was submitted with financial monitoring information for the first quarter of 2018/19. The report also provided the headline issues on major variances in relation to the Council’s overall performance for the period.

Councillor T. Schofield, Executive Member for Finance, reported that eight of the fourteen Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were on target or within agreed tolerances for the period.

The Executive Member for Finance highlighted that KPIs 4-8 were contextual homelessness indicators, introduced to reflect changes required by the Homelessness Reduction Act (2017). Due to uncertainty about the impact of this legislation it was noted that no target had been set. However, it was explained performance during 2018/19 would be used to inform targets for 2019/20.     

In reference to the number of affordable home completions, the Executive was informed that KPI 3 was off target for the quarter. In order to achieve this target it was recognised that the Council was dependent on the performance of private developers.

On the financial side, the Executive Member for Finance confirmed that there was a small overspend on the revenue budget. In response to questions, Councillor Schofield explained this had predominantly been driven by the loss of income from a car parking contract.  It was noted that the capital programme had progressed successfully.

Councillor Schofield concluded by informing the Executive that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had considered the Council’s performance at their meeting on 6 September 2018. It was noted that the Committee had raised a number of questions, including matters relating to business rates retention and the allocation of Community Infrastructure Levy funds. The Executive Member for Finance confirmed that further information on each issue would be provided via a written response.    

RESOLVED that the performance outlined in the report of the Director of Finance and Organisation be noted.

Reason for decision: To consider the performance for the first quarter of the financial year 2018/19.

Alternative options: None.

To consider the performance in the first quarter of 2018/19 of the Council’s Service Indicators, Revenue Budget Monitoring, Capital Budget Monitoring, Risk Management and Internal Audit.

To consider any Advance Questions submitted.

The Committee received a report that detailed the major variances on performance in relation to the Council’s Key Performance Indicators, Risk Management and Internal Audit.

The Committee considered and discussed the report. There were a number of a questions and comments on the report, relating to the following topics:

·         Affordable Homes (KPI 3): It was identified that the number of affordable homes completed was off target for the quarter. It was noted that this was outside of the control of the Council, but that it was hoped that the number of affordable homes currently under construction would lead to improved performance in future quarters. It was confirmed that performance had not been consistently below target in previous quarters, and that the figure included starter homes and shared equity schemes, where otherwise applicable. It was noted that forthcoming changes to the National Planning Policy Framework might influence future housing options and requirements.

·         Allocation of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds: A query was raised regarding the details of the allocation of CIL funds noted under the Revenue Budget Monitoring section of the report. It was noted that a written response would be provided to this query.

·         Business Rates Retention: A query was raised regarding the accounting for business rates retention. It was noted that a written response would be provided to this query.

·         Legal Services: It was identified that the legal services overspend resulted from a combination of reduced land charges income, and costs for temporary staffing. It was noted that the Council’s future legal services arrangements were being determined, in order to best support the future requirements of the Council. It was identified that this process was being supported by an interim head of legal with extensive experience in the field.

·         Car Parking: A query was raised regarding if alternative enforcement approaches or contract arrangements were available to the Council which would support more positive finances around car parking services. It was noted that a written response would be provided to this query.

RESOLVED that the Quarterly Performance Report (Q1 2018/19) be noted.