Agenda item

Joint report of Chief Officers Finance and Governance (report published on 12.02.25). 

The Panel was provided with a report that contained updates for consideration. The Principal Democratic Support Officer reported that the item regarding Salt Ayre Leisure Centre - update report on the shortfall of income had been included on the agenda for this meeting for consideration. 

With regard to Commercial Property Income the Panel was requested to inform of the information it wished to be included in the report.  Updates were also provided on Delivering Our Priorities, in particular a request for Officers to attend to report on specific issues previously identified for scrutiny by the Panel, Strategic Risk Register and two items that had been referred to the Panel for consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

The Chief Officer - Finance provided an update on the previous request of the Panel for a report and information to be provided to the Panel regarding any ways being considered and proposals as part of the Fit for the Future project to generate income and deliver efficiencies.  Members were informed that this matter was discussed in more detail at the OBR Strategy and Co-Ordination Group and a meeting between SLT and Cabinet was due this month to review the initial Benefit Plans.  Following this meeting there should be more clarity in how to progress this request and the Panel will be updated accordingly. 

The Panel was also requested to advise of any items tobe considered to be included in the Panel’s Work Programme within the Panel’s Terms of Reference, set out in the Council’s Constitution and any training requirements. 

Resolved:

(1)        That, subject to officer availability, an additional meeting of the Panel be arranged to be held on 4^th June 2025, commencing at 6.00pm in Lancaster Town Hall to consider the following:

·            That the Chief Officer – People and Policy be requested to attend a meeting of the Panel to inform on staff vacancies, the well-being of Council staff and how the Council are to fill vacancies. 

·            Strategic Risk Register - That the effectiveness of the mitigation factors, in particular with regard to Risk 3 – SR03, be increased to reduce the likelihood of risk. 

·            Are the current key performance indicator and project reporting systems fit for purpose to provide the information we need as Councillors to help us understand what is happening in our Wards? 

·            Benchmarking.  What big ticket services and outcome should we be benchmarking, where would we get data from and how would we use it to improve our performance? Invite the Chief Officer – People and Policy and Projects and Performance Manager to inform on Performance Management. 

·            That the Chief Officer – Housing and Property be requested to attend a meeting of the Panel to inform on the HRA Capital Programme for Mainway. 

Note: Members of Overview and Scrutiny Committee to be invited to the meeting. 

(2)        That, with regard to Commercial Property Income, the following information be provided in the report to the Panel: 

·            The Gateway Building.

·            A general overview of the City Council’s commercial properties, vacancies and occupation.