Agenda item

The Financial Services Manager provided a presentation and introduced a report to present the Corporate Financial and Performance Monitoring 2015/16 Quarter 2. A summary of the Corporate Financial Monitoring for Quarter 2 of the performance monitoring cycle was attached for Members consideration.

The report also gave an update on improvements being made in 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 £769K, projected to become £842K by the year end.

·         Housing Revenue Account overspend of £55K, projected to reduce to £41K by the year end.

·         Estimated Council Tax surplus of £458K to date.

·         Sundry Debt level at £3.4M of which £1.9M related to Housing Benefit Overpayment recoveries.

·         Council Housing Rent Arrears circa £325K.

Members asked a number of questions on financial monitoring regarding voids, the Central Control funding, Council Tax base increases and collection rates, Housing Benefits and the introduction of the Universal Credit system, recruitment and empty posts.

Members noted that it had not been possible to provide a Property Group report for Quarter 2 due to unforeseen work demands and asked that this be reported in Quarter 3.

The Corporate Planning and Performance Manager introduced the Corporate Performance Monitoring section of the report.

Members were advised that, with regard to performance, following the adoption of the Performance Management Framework in September 2015, work had been undertaken to develop a performance management Action Plan. The steps being taken also addressed a number of matters identified in the Peer Review and the subsequent draft Action Plan developed by Management Team. These actions would strengthen the Council’s existing performance management arrangements. The Council’s business improvement activities would also be enhanced by the use of a new approach to Service modelling (review) that would realise a number of benefits for Members and management.

The Panel had raised concerns regarding voids management and responsive repairs, as detailed in the report. Working with the Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE) Environmental Services, Repairs and Maintenance (RMS) and other Council staff had reviewed these key areas of work. A final report from APSE, setting out the detailed findings of the review and possible actions for improvement was expected.

Members asked a number of questions regarding corporate performance monitoring regarding pool cars and expenses for travel between the two town halls, the use of Skype and Conference Calling.

Resolved:-

 (1) That the report be noted.

(2)  That, at future meetings of the Panel, the Corporate Financial Monitoring be presented to Members by way of a PowerPoint Presentation in addition to the existing reporting process.

(3)  That an ‘as live’ demonstration of CorVu be presented to the Members at the December 2015 meeting of the Panel.

(4)  That all Members of the Council be invited to the December 2015 Panel meeting.

(5)  That the Property Group report, scheduled to be reported as part of the Quarter 2 Corporate Performance and Financial Monitoring report, be submitted as part of the Quarter 3 report.

(6)  That the APSE report and Action Plan, arising from the review of Environmental Services, Repairs and Maintenance Service, be submitted to the next appropriate Panel meeting.