Corporate overview - Includes Internal Affairs portfolio - Finance portfolio and Red/Amber targets arising from PRT

Select from drop down list

Portfolio Holder/s

Cllr Langhorn

On Target

Quarter

1

Date of meeting

17-Aug-09

Behind Target

Actions

Internal Affairs and Finance Portfolios
Significant achievements and or difficulties experienced in delivering targets (highlight significant ongoing or emerging risks)

Failing

Support the establishment of the Morecambe Town Council

Democratic Services - Support was provided to the newly established Morecambe Parish Council from its inception on 1st April 2009 up to and including the first Annual Meeting. A charge is to be made for this service in accordance with Council's decision (Minute 123 - March 09). The Town Council is now operating independently, currently using the services of a temporary clerk from Democratic Services who has volunteered to undertake this task in their own time until a permanent appointment has been made.

Organise and deliver centenary celebrations programme

Democratic Services - Work is underway to deliver a programme of celebrations in accordance with Cabinet Minute 141 (Feb 09) - in conjunction with Cultural Services, Property Services and Communications. Report to Cabinet Member is imminent.

Property Services - Property disposals continue to be difficult to achieve in the current market both in terms of funds available for purchasers andd developers being able to obtain planning permission in the face of objections e.g. Lawson's Bridge, Scotforth and the Canal Corridor scheme.
The lack of capital receipts impinges on the ability to undertake the full backlog of repairs programme. In the interim, buildings are deteriorating, inceasing both the size of the programme and its cost. This remains a serious risk for the council.

Financial Services No information available as yet regarding options to increase Council Tax targets, therefore risk cannot readily be assessed.
2008/09 efficiency targets not met (£569K short), & no clarity as yet regarding any progress - see comments below. Also not clear whether the shortfall in last year will result in a higher target this year.
Use of Resources target not yet set - need to consider what can reasonably be achieved, given 2008/09 results & new timescales for 200910.

Support the LDLSP's development of a community Engagement Framework for the district where this is a priority for the council

The LDLSP continue to progress the development of a community engagement Strategy in line with their agreed timetable. Progress to date was outlined at a stakeholders presentation on July 14 2009 and a further update will be reported to the LDLSP Management Group on 1st September 2009.

PI No

Description of indicator

08/09 Outurn

09/10 target

Good is ?

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Year to date

Status

Target Owner

Commentary (highlight significant achievements or ongoing risks)

All Portfolios - Red & Amber indicators

CH8

Reduce the number of days lost to sickness absence

9.5 days

Low

2.456

2.46

Behind Target

ST

To achieve 9.5 days for the year, the target for end of June was 2.44. The figure for the first quarter last year was 1.84 days. The major ongoing risk is that the absence figures will worsen as a result of swine flu.

CH12

% of in year Council Tax collected

96.60%

high

29.6

Behind Target

RM Monitor again half yearly

29.75% had been collected at the same time last year. The impact of the recession is being reflected in collection rates in Lancaster and across the country. The overall in year target is still achievable and there is no cause for concern. Collection Policy being revised for future Member decision.

CH15/NI181

Time taken to process Housing Benefit new claims and change events

14 days

low

19.9

Failing

RM

The impact of the recession has seen an increase in new claims of almost 8% whilst staffing resources have been reducing. Overtime using DWP funding is being undertaken as remedial action. IT systems availability is also a factor as downtime in the first quarter has increased in comparison to previous years.

CH1

Keep the City Council element of Council Tax increases to acceptable levels

4%

4% or less (for 2010/11)

low

Not measured

Select from drop down list

NM

Target of 4% or less to 2011/12. No basis for formally measuring any progress in year, but work has commenced on identifying savings options.

CH2/NI179

Value for money - total net value of ongoiong cash releasing value for money gains (Efficiency/MTFS targets)

£477K

£2,127K

high

100%

Behind Target

NM

No corporate arrangements in place as yet to manage and measure this target. Plans in place to develop such arrangements, but other projects (such as Fair Pay) may well delay this work. Viewed as behind target, given 2008/09 position (though formal assessment not possible).

CH 6

% of residents rate their local area as a very good or fairly good place to live -baseline and target to be established from Place Survey

80%

To be agreed

High

Not measured

Select from drop down list

RT

Presentation by Ipsos/Mori to members and LDLSP partners taking place on Sept 29th 2pm at Lancaster Town Hall.

CH 7

% of residents agree that the City Council provides value for money -baseline and target to be established from Place Survey

30%

To be agreed

High

Not Measured

Select from drop down list

RT

Presentation by Ipsos/Mori to members and LDLSP partners taking place on Sept 29th 2pm at Lancaster Town Hall.

CH9

Level of Equality Framework for Local Government

N/A

Level 1 - developing

Behind Target

RT

Briefing sessions have been arranged for members and officers. Head of Corporate Strategy has been nominated as lead officer. Meeting with Chief Exec (25 August) to agree way forward

CH 11

Maintain Level 1 of Member Development Charter

Level 1

High

Not Measured

On Target

GN

Review of member personal development plans underway and monitoring arrangements now in place to record those members taking advantage of development opportunities

Action Plan

Agreed actions from PRTs

Status update

Quarter 1

Finance - To provide a further report updating the schedule of capital receipts to the October 2009 cabinet meeting.
Bulky Matters - Continue to monitor reduced demand for the service and liaise with the service provider on reasons for the fall in demand. If this becomes a trend take action to reduce service provision and costs.
Trade Refuse - analyse reasons for reduction in income and develop options for dealing with variance.
Valuing People
1   Cllr Fletcher to be sent a copy of the draft Voluntary, Community, Sector Compact.
2 Develop criteria, template for evaluation and reporting requirements of Service Level Agreements, Grants to outside bodies.
3 Report to Cabinet to be developed in respect of how the Council is to take forward work on the new Equalities Framework
Children and Young People
- Provide officer support to Cllr Ashworth at Childrens Trust theme leads meeting on Thursday 13 August.
- Provide more information as to how the Children and Young people engagement strategy will operate in practice
Climate Change Specific Salt Ayre energy monitoring information and longer term strategic action plan
report (D Owen) to next CCCLG in September. To include 2008/09 outturn and first quarter monitoring
report. Create action plans for quick wins on energy effiiciency. Ensure information on 3.3 and 3.4 are
available for next quarter and September's CCCLG.
Health and Wellbeing Affordable Homes - Smaller number of new build linked directly to down turn in
house building completions. However, actual availability of more affordable housing likely to be higher due
to significantly reduced market prices and over supply in flat market. There is no direct corrective action
which the Council can take in the short term to influence this indicator. In the medium term opportunities
to build more social housing are being explored.
Safety
1   Review funding arrangements in respect of LSP and quick response vehicles.
2   Obtain a summary report for the Road Safety Partnership.
3   Provide financial information (for review) in respect of City Council funding for community safety

To be supplied in Q2 drawn from PRT reports

Quarter 2

Quarter 3

Quarter 4