Agenda item

Quarterly Performance Report (Q1 2019/20)

To consider the Performance Report for Quarter 1 (2019/20).

Minutes:

Councillor V. Lewanski, Executive Member for Corporate Direction and Governance, reported on the Council’s performance up to the end of Quarter 1 2019/20. The Executive was informed that ten of the fourteen Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were on target while it was noted the report provided information on issues of major variances in relation to the Council’s overall performance for the period.

In response to questions, updates were provided in relation to KPI 1 (the proportion of key customer transactions that took place online versus those taking place over the telephone), KPI 2 (the number of residential completions), and KPI 14 (the percentage of household waste that was recycled and composted).

Councillor Lewanski informed the Executive that no new strategic risks had been identified. However, it was highlighted that due to the UK’s upcoming exit from the European Union an update on the Brexit strategic risk had been provided in the report presented to the Executive.

On the financial side, the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Finance confirmed that the revenue budget was forecast to be underspent by £774,000 (just under 5%). Updates were provided on the positive variances in relation to refuse and recycling and costs associated with senior management. Further information was also provided in relation to the adverse variances concerning the Harlequin, the increased use of agency staff and unbudgeted recruitment costs.  

In term of the Capital Programme, the Executive was informed that the Council was broadly on track, with a forecast variance of just over £74,000 (0.3%). However, the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Finance informed the Executive that there was a need to increase investment in the maintenance of the Council’s building stock following the completion of a Buildings Condition Survey which had been carried out by external consultants. It was noted that this would be achieved by:

-       Virement of budgets from lower priority schemes already within the capital programme to the higher priority schemes identified by the buildings condition survey of £130,000, and

-       Cost pressures for 2019/20 requiring the approval of an additional budget allocation of £340,000.

It was also noted that an additional cost pressure for 2019/20 included the need to allocate £50,000 for the Handy Persons Scheme which formed part of the Council’s Private Sector Housing: Financial Assistance for Adaptations and Repairs policy. 

It was highlighted that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had considered the Quarterly Performance Report (Q1 2019/20) on 12 September 2019. The Leader of the Council thanked the Committee for its questions and highlighted that a number of observations had been circulated to the Executive by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee ahead of the meeting. This included feedback and questions on a variety of matters, including: the total number of residential completions; household waste; and working with the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Direction and Governance in order to establish a new set of key performance indicators. The input from the Committee was welcomed and it was noted that these observations had been fully captured in the minutes from the meeting.  

RESOLVED that the Council’s performance for the first quarter of the financial year 2019/20 be noted. 

Reason for decision: To consider the Council’s performance for the first quarter of the financial year 2019/20.

Alternative options:  None.

Supporting documents: