Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and went through some general housekeeping arrangements for the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R P Dewick and M W Helm.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 15 April 2021 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 15 April 2021 be approved.

To disclose the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, other Pecuniary Interests or Non-Pecuniary Interests relating to items of business on the agenda having regard to paragraphs 6-8 inclusive of the Code of Conduct for Members.

(Members are reminded that they are also required to disclose any such interests as soon as they become aware should the need arise throughout the meeting).

Councillor W Stamp advised she was not a member of the Committee, but declared an interest as a Member of Essex County Council and advised that she was the Leader of the Council.

To receive the views of members of the public of which prior notification in writing has been received (no later than noon on the Tuesday prior to the day of the meeting).

Should you wish to submit a question please completed the online form at www.maldon.gov.uk/publicparticipation.

No requests had been received.

To consider the report of the Programmes, Performance and Governance Manager, (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Programmes, Performance and Governance Manager providing a final report on the scrutiny item Transformation – Learning from what we have done for Committee discussion and discussion on any action / recommendations that they would like to take forward.

The report provided background information to the scrutiny item and it was noted that the final report was attached at Appendix A to the report.  The final report included an analysis of the extent to which the original outcomes had been achieved, which in turn had helped identify potential learning points.  In her presentation of the report to the Committee the Programmes, Performance and Governance Manager provided further background information and highlighted a number of key points.  It was noted that section 3 of Appendix A identified areas where more work could be done to build on Transformation and Members were invited to reflect on this list and advise of any actions they wished to recommend to the Council or otherwise.

A debate ensued and in response to a number of comments and questions, the following information was provided:

·                 Staff turnover and the retention of staff had been added to the corporate risk register.  The scoring had recently reduced due to it being less of a corporate risk than it was.

·                 The £337,000 pot of unachievable savings relating to a mixture of commercial items which had not been achieved and strategic savings.  This had been accounted for by the Finance Team and already come forward as part of the Council’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy.

·                 The transformation was modelled to achieve £1m of savings and it was noted that this amount had been put together by consultants.  However, £892,940 of savings had been achieved with a variance of 12% and this related to where the Council had to add posts back into the establishment.

Councillor V J Bell raised a number of concerns specifically relating to residents, the District’s aging population and digitalisation of the Council.  She also highlighted concern that the staff satisfaction rates were very low.  Councillor Bell then proposed that:

·                 staff satisfaction surveys be carried out half yearly – with a target of 90%+ to improve staff retention as well as appointments;

·                 residents satisfaction surveys be carried out yearly – with a target of 75%+ (using variety of methods not just online) to improve service delivery of the Council;

·                 an overhaul and revamp of website be undertaken to make navigation easier for public, members and staff; including relevance of information provided (Use of plain English);

·                 areas of organisational deficiency be identified including where there are already staff shortages;

·                 balanced customer journey be promoted incorporating digital and face to face experience;

·                 the Council ensures agile working is always focused on customer need, balanced with the health and wellbeing of staff.

With permission of the Chairman, the Leader of the Council congratulated the Corporate Leadership Team for delivery of the Transformation programme and raised concern at the redundancy figures, the effect on staff and true costs.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 206.

To consider the report of the Programmes, Performance and Governance Manager, (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Programmes, Performance and Governance Manager seeking Members’ agreement to establish a Working Group of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The report outlined the agreed operating protocols for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Working Group.  It was noted that two Member forms had been submitted for review and meeting of the Working Group was now required.

The Working Group Terms of Reference required the Membership to be politically balanced and in accordance with this the Committee was asked to agree the Members to sit on the Working Group.  It was confirmed that meetings of the Working Group would be virtual.

Councillor V J Bell proposed that Councillors R P F Dewick, B B Heubner, C Mayes and herself be appointed to the Working Group.  This proposal was duly seconded.  Councillor Bell then amended her proposal removing Councillor Dewick and replacing him with Councillor N J Skeens.  This amendment was duly seconded and agreed.

RESOLVED that the following Members are appointed to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Working Group:

·                  Councillor V J Bell;

·                  Councillor B B Heubner;

·                  Councillor C Mayes;

·                  Councillor N J Skeens.

To consider the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance, (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance seeking new appointments of representatives for 2021 / 22 to the Health, Overview and Scrutiny Committee, as set out in the report.

Councillor V J Bell proposed that Councillor C Mayes be appointed to the Health, Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  This proposal was duly seconded and agreed.

The Committee gave its thanks to Councillor B S Beale and the work he had carried out for the Council.

RESOLVED that Councillor C Mayes be appoints as the Council’s representative to the Health, Overview and Scrutiny Committee, for the ensuing municipal year.

To receive a presentation from the Customer, Community and Casework Manager setting out details of the Debt Recovery process and consider the report of the Programmes, Performance and Governance Manager, (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Programmes, Performance and Governance Manager providing an update to the debt recovery workplan agreed by the Committee on 21 January 2021. 

The Customer, Community and Casework Manager gave a presentation to the Committee setting out details of the Debt Recovery process.  Following the presentation the Chairman thanked the Group Manager - Customers and her team for their hard work and that the Committee recognised the pressures they had been under.

A lengthy debate ensued and during the discussion the Group Manager - Customers clarified a number of points, including:

·                 Reductions relating to attachment of earnings / benefits could only be made once a liability order was received.

·                 The work done to identify vulnerable persons both by the Council and the Enforcement Agency.

·                 When the Council would engage with an Enforcement Agency

·                 Legislation set the fees to be charged to residents.

·                 The Council used a number of different methods it used to contact residents who were not engaging with the Council.

·                 The Council’s Corporate Debt Strategy was due to be reviewed and brought before the Council in 2022.  Any recommendations from this Committee could be fed into the review.

Councillor V J Bell proposed that the Council subject to the following matters the Scrutiny workplan item in relation to Debt Recovery be closed and removed from the workplan:

·                 the Council’s website is updated to make it easier to find information regarding debt (with perhaps a button from the home screen);

·                 the feasibility of an additional step as part of the review of the Corporate Debt Strategy be considered to ensure that the Council was doing everything it could for vulnerable persons.

It was requested that in terms of the website, plain English was used, avoiding any jargon and ensuring it was easy for everyone to use.

The proposal was duly seconded and agreed by assent.

RESOLVED that subject to the following items, the Scrutiny workplan item – Debt Recovery be closed and removed from the workplan:

·                 the Council’s website is updated to make it easier to find information regarding debt (with perhaps a button from the home screen);

·                 the feasibility of an additional step as part of the review of the Corporate Debt Strategy be considered to ensure that the Council was doing everything it could for vulnerable persons.