Issue - meetings

To update the Panel in respect of the latest available departmental performance as reported in the QSR for the third quarter of 2017/18 (October to December 2017) relating to Environment, Culture and Communities. An overview of the final quarter of 2017/18 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 third quarter of 2017/18 (October to December 2017) 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 Chief Officer: Environment and Public Protection highlighted a number of items from the report, including in his presentation the latest updated information.  There was likely to be an underspend of £315k on the revenue budget, a relatively minor amount on the total budget of £35.8m.  While there were a number of changes to both income and expenditure heads, the largest variances related to:

• Concessionary fares – reduced trips - (£232k)
• Waste Management – reduced tonnage for landfill -(£549k)
• SANGS capacity – lower income from Surrey Heath – £200k
• Highways – lower than anticipated savings on electricity charges due to delay on LED lighting project - £400k
• Coral Reef closure (to be met from contingency) - £340k
• Car parking – higher income from charges (mainly at the Avenue car park – new Town Centre users) – (£200k)

It was anticipated that around 92% of the total approved capital budget would be spent by the year end.  Owing to delays, there were significant carry forwards of expenditure on the Martins Heron roundabout (£2,742k) and the LED Lighting programme (£3,000k).

The attention of the Panel was drawn to a number of key highlights and areas of good performance as well as some challenging issues coming up.  The Transformation Programme included the gateway reviews of both Planning and Building Control and the Parks and Countryside service, together with commencement of the Transport and Highways review.

Arising from questions and discussion, the following points were made:

• The handover of Leisure Services functions to Everyone Active on 1 March 2018 had been successful, although the snowy conditions had created some difficulties and affected attendance levels.  A few issues needed to be worked through.
• Some issues relating to use of Bracknell Leisure Centre were raised and the Head of Performance and Resources undertook to investigate these.
• The budget variation in respect of income from brown bin charges was as a result of  an underestimate of take up in demand for the year. The higher level of income being received was now in line with expectations for the year. 
• Cheques were still accepted for payment of fees for such services as brown bin collection although there use was not promoted as other methods of payment (eg. on-line, direct debit) were more economic and preferred by the Council.
• Errors in the report were noted in respect of the correct name for the SANG of “Shepherd Meadows” (page 48) and the current percentage of the Borough covered by superfast broadband showing Q3 lower than Q2 (page 38).
• There was an opportunity for Members to attend forthcoming Gateway review meetings, to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 199