Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Strategy and Resources (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Strategy and Resources that covered exceptions to operational service and provided visibility of any identified Balance Scorecard Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that had met their threshold, supported by an action plan to ensure targets were met.

The Chairperson introduced the report and deferred to the Assistant Director, Programmes, Performance and Governance to present the detail. The Assistant Director drew Members’ attention to the areas of operational performance where exceptions were evident, which included both under and overperformance. Internally, the Senior Management Team monitored this data and discussed it monthly to help address performance issues in real time where possible, with a six-monthly report provided to this Committee to show the exceptions and any areas of under / over performance.

This report covered July to December 2023, section 3.3 contained detail on underperforming areas and the action being taken. Section 3.4 highlighted four indicators where the Council was overperforming and section 3.5 flagged those areas where closer monitoring was taking place. Finally, the Assistant Director advised that further performance data was set out at appendix 1 to the report.

The Chairperson moved the recommendations as set out in the report and this was duly seconded.

During the debate that ensued and in response to issues raised Officers provided the following information:

·                In response to a question regarding the non-compliance relating to ‘monthly service area reporting’, the Assistant Director – Service Delivery advised that this related to a monthly report which had not been submitted to the Corporate Leadership Team in time due to a lack of resources. The Assistant Director reassured Members that these reports were now completed, and performance was being monitored on a monthly basis.

·                The Head of Service – Housing and Community Safety provided the Committee with information in response to a question regarding London Authorities housing homeless people within Essex. It was noted this was not currently a problem for the Maldon District, however, the Director of Service Delivery reported that at a Chief Executive level in Essex the matter had been raised and they were looking to establish a protocol which would involve London authorities notify an authority where they were looking to place a homeless person.

·                It was noted that sickness levels were improving and the Assistant Director – Resources reported that further improvement would be seen in Quarter 4. She advised the Committee of the employee support in place to assist staff, especially those returning to work. On a national average the Council was currently performing better than average. Whilst, mental health was difficult to measure overall, the Council had seen a peak post Covid but again this was managed effectively, with the Council supporting staff well.

·                In response to a question regarding hybrid working, the Director of Service Delivery advised that the Council had always maintained officer accommodation space at the Council offices and a number of teams took the opportunity to come in. He referred to the staff survey, the results of which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 635