Issue - meetings

Report of Chief Officer (Governance) and Chief Officer (Resources)

The Financial Services Manager introduced a report to present the Corporate Financial and Performance Monitoring 2015/16 Quarter 1.  A summary of the financial monitoring for quarter 1 of the 2015/16 performance monitoring cycle was attached for Members’ consideration.

The report also gave an update on improvements being made in the corporate performance management, monitoring and reporting arrangements and actions being planned to make more effective use of business intelligence to inform decision-making.

The Financial Services Manager advised Members that the headline variances and projections were as follows:-

·         General Fund revenue budget underspend of £201K, projected to become £553K by the year end.

·         Housing Revenue Account underspend of £13K, projected to become an overspend of £39K by the end of the year.

·         Council Tax surplus of £314K.

·         Sundry Debt level at £3.4M of which £1.9M relates to Housing Benefit Overpayments recoveries. Overall a 14% reduction on previous quarter.

·         Council Housing Rent Arrears circa £291K. A 5% increase on the previous quarter.

Members then asked a number of questions on financial monitoring regarding business rates, electric pool cars and use of bikes by Council employee’s, salary savings and the impact of the living wage on the budget.

The Performance Manager then introduced the Performance Management Framework (PMF) and the Council’s Corporate Complaints Analysis 2014/15 for Members’ consideration.  The Performance Manager outlined the purpose of the framework and the work being done to realise the benefits of the effective performance management and business improvement.

The HR & OD Manager suggested that the additional December meeting of the Panel could be used to present the Panel with a live demonstration of the CorVu system and Members agreed that this should be added to the Work Programme.

Members asked a number of questions regarding Audit, employment density and rates and travel to work distances.

Resolved:-

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That a live demonstration of the CorVu system be provided at the December 2015 meeting of the Panel.