Issue - meetings

To update the Panel in respect of the latest available departmental performance as reported in the QSR for the second quarter of 2016/17 (July to September 2016) relating to Environment, Culture and Communities.  An overview of the third quarter of 2016/17 will also be provided.

The Chairman has asked that any detailed or procedural questions arising from the QSR should be referred to the Director of Environment, Culture and Communities in advance.  Only issues of strategic importance or of wider implications need then be raised at the meeting.

The Panel considered the latest trends, priorities and pressures in terms of departmental performance as reported in the QSR for the second quarter of 2016/17 (July to September 2016) relating to Environment, Culture and Communities.  The report highlighted exceptional performance, remedial action being taken against under performance, significant changes in risk, significant customer feedback and inspections and significant changes in service use and the associated financial impact.

The Director highlighted a number of items from the report and gave an overview of the third quarter performance.  He indicated the major variances on the revenue budget, currently amounting to a £459,000 decrease, and predicted the underspend would be around £0.5m at the end of the year.  The capital budget for the current year was currently 50% spent, which would rise to approximately 85% at the year end, the remainder being carried forward.  Key highlights also included a special mention of those departmental services which had been recipients of awards or received external recognition.  Reference was made to five of the Borough parks which had been awarded Green Flag status and South Hill Park which had received a gold ‘Britain in Bloom’ Award.  . It was also noted that a further Green Flag Award for Westmorland Park had also been awarded.

Among the items mentioned in the forward look, it was noted that a number of the reviews included in the Transformation Programme were moving forward and would begin to deliver on the savings identified.  Staff were working with the schools to ensure a smooth transition for the Edgbarrow and Sandhurst Sports Centre at the end of March 2017 and work was proceeding towards some joint arrangements across Berkshire to support a more resilient emergency planning service.