Issue - meetings

To consider the latest trends, priorities and pressures in terms of departmental performance as reported in the QSR for the fourth quarter of 2012/13 (January to March) relating to Environment, Culture and Communities.  An overview of the first quarter of 2013/14 will also be provided.

Please bring the previously circulated Quarterly Service Report to the meeting.  The QSR is attached to this agenda if viewed online.

The Panel considered the latest trends, priorities and pressures in terms of departmental performance as reported in the Quarterly Service Report (QSR) for the fourth quarter of 2012/13 (January to March) relating to Environment, Culture and Communities (ECC).

Major variances in revenue had occurred in areas including the Waste Management Refuse Collection Contract, Waste Management Disposal, Development Control Income, Cemetery and Crematorium Income, Landscape Services Vehicles, Coral Reef Income/closedown, Licensing Income, Cemetery and Crematorium Service Agreement Cremators, Libraries Income, Supervision Fees Adoption Highways, Traffic signals, Local Development Framework carry forward, Concessionary Fares, Building Control Chargeable Account, Data Capture Tree Preservation Order Files, and Land Charges Provision for claimed personal searches.

Capital schemes identified to be carried forward were: Bridge Structural Maintenance, Car Park Maintenance, Disabled Facilities Grant, Forest Road footway, Local Safety Schemes, Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace enhancement works, South Hill Park – Grounds Restoration Project, and Westmorland Park.

Key highlights included: overall and outstanding performance at Coral Reef which received good custom following re-opening in March; difficult changes introduced successfully such as car park charging at The Look Out and charges for garden waste collection; positive engagement with the public and completion of the public examination associated with the Site Allocations Development Plan Document (SADPD); and another successful Bracknell Half Marathon.

Work was due to be undertaken on improvements to Sandhurst Library. At Bracknell Leisure Centre the new multi-purpose activity room was due to be opened and the health and fitness suite was due to be extended in June. There would be changes to the Residents Parking Scheme and improvements to Twin Bridges. The blue bin incentive scheme was performing well and also the recycling rewards scheme. The Public Realm contract would be announced in 2014.

The ECC Department’s projected saving was £350,000, a carry forward of £82,000 had been requested, and there was an underspend of £650,000 overall.  Although staff turnover at the year end showed a reduction compared with the previous year, it was considered to be sufficient to bring new skills and fresh ideas and innovation to the Council.

In response to Members’ questions, the following points were made:

• £120,000 was thought to cover the total liability in relation to land charges provision for claimed personal searches, assuming that all residents affected would apply.
• In relation to remedial action against under performance, recruitment had been undertaken and some internal appointments made. It was hoped that further resources would be in place by autumn 2013.
• Although the capital programme did not provide for further enhancement works to Coral Reef following the roof repairs, consideration would be given to disabled access and possibly widening the stairs to allow the use of rubber rings in the future.
• On page 5 of the QSR, residents’ survey results should show use of libraries as 69%, and not 31%.