Agenda item

Report of Corporate Director (Finance and Performance)

The Panel received the report of the Corporate Director (Finance and Performance) to which was appended the Leader’s highlight report in respect of the first quarter of Performance Review Team meetings for 2010/11 undertaken by individual Cabinet members between 2^nd and 11^th August 2010.

The Leader’s highlight report had been considered by Cabinet on 31^st August 2010.  Appended to the Leader’s highlight report were the following appendices:

(1)        Leader’s Agreed Actions for Quarter 1 arising from the Corporate PRT.

(2)        Timetable of Quarter 1 PRT meetings.

(3)        Update on progress in respect of Leader’s Actions from Quarter 4.

(4)        Corporate Performance Exception Monitoring Report Quarter 1.

(5)        Corporate Financial Monitoring Report Quarter 1.

(6)        Treasury Management Progress Report.

The Panel was asked to consider the report and appendices and comment accordingly. 

Members considered the details and, with regard to the financial monitoring of Housing Revenue Account’s (HRA) responsive maintenance, raised concerns that the budget item was still overspending.  It was noted that the Leader was meeting with the Head of Health and Housing Services and the Cabinet portfolio holder to discuss the actions being taken to address the overspend on the HRAs responsive repairs budget.  The Panel requested that, in order to reduce the cost of reactive repair, staff be proactive and intervene before properties fell into poor condition, using warning signs such as unkempt gardens with white goods deposited in them.  

The Panel raised queries regarding pay increases for senior officers, and noted that North West Employers were currently looking at this following the restructuring process.  It was also highlighted at this point that several officers present may be affected.  With reference to responsibility for concessionary travel being transferred to upper tier local authorities, it was reported that, subject to Parliamentary approval, the changes would come into force in April 2011, and the scheme and its financing may be influenced by the Comprehensive Spending Review.  Members queried the impact of the abolition of the Regional Development Agencies and their replacement with Local Enterprise Partnerships.  They were advised that it was expected similar programmes would run locally and that City Council officers would ensure that the mechanisms for representation were in place in any future arrangements, as appropriate.

Resolved:

(1)        That the reports be noted.

(2)        That the Corporate Director (Regeneration) relay the comments of the Panel to the Head of Health and Housing Services with regard to the HRA overspend.