Agenda item

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

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive supplying Members with details of performance against targets set for 2016 / 17 and to ensure that progress was being achieved towards the overall corporate goals and the outcomes detailed in the Corporate Plan 2015 - 19.  The report also reminded Members that they should challenge the performance / allocation of resources where the Committee felt that the Council’s corporate goals were not being achieved.

Appendix 1 to the report highlighted the status of all Key Corporate Activities (KCA) with additional commented provided for activities and indicators / measures which were behind schedule, at risk or not on target. 

Members discussed the report and in response to a number of questions and comments raised the following information was provided by Officers:

·                 Work in Partnership to develop community consultation groups re. management / maintenance of existing open spaces - The Director of Customers and Community advised that a programme to deliver specific plans within the new corporate plan focussing on three specific sites was being drawn up.  In response to a specific question regarding access onto the Downs, Members were informed that the Director was addressing this through this team as a matter of urgency.

·                 Missed collections – The Director of Customers and Community advised that the chart shown on page 63 of the report detailed the transition into a new method of collection and the rise and fall was as expected for a new contract.  The latest statistics show that of the 16,500 collections made as little as 10 per day were being missed which was a much improved position.

·                 Percentage of major planning appeals allowed – The Group Manager - Planning Services advised that the Government indicator had recently changed from 20 to 10% earlier this year.  Members noted that Officers were continuing to reduce appeals and as a result figures had shown improvement.

A number of concerns were raised regarding inconsistencies across the Planning Inspectorate in the determination of planning appeals.

·                 Average number of days lost per (Full Time Equivalent) FTE due to sickness – In response to concern raised regarding the level of long term absence, the Director of Customers and Community advised that the figures for this quarter related to one or two people and he reassured Members that the Council through positive engagement was working to get individuals back to work.  The Director informed the Committee that stress was complicated and often a mix of issues both at work and at home.  Members were advised of the work undertaken by the Council as well as assistance available to individuals.

Members were reminded that absence management had recently been reported to this Committee and the Group Manager - People, Performance and Policy was rigorously looking at and updating policies as well as staff training etc. and as a result the first quarter of 2017 / 18 was showing significant improvement. 

The Chief Executive reported that by September the Council would be fully resourced in the Planning department.  In addition where there was medium or long term absence it had been agreed that backfilling of these roles would occur.  The Chief Executive referred to the recent elections and how the team pulled together assisted by staff across the Council to meet challenges.

RESOLVED that the performance information for Quarter Four be noted.