Agenda item

To consider the latest trends, priorities and pressures in terms of departmental performance as reported in the PMR for the first quarter (April to June) of 2009/10 for Environment, Culture and Communities.

The Director of Environment, Culture and Communities gave a presentation in respect of departmental performance with reference to the Performance Monitoring Report (PMR) for the 1^st quarter of 2009/10. the presentation outlined the Department’s revenue and capital finances as at June 2009 and highlighted variances on revenue. Staffing issues, key highlights and a forward look were also included.

The Panel noted that the gross revenue budget had increased by £609,000 from April 2009. Major revenue variances included a fall in on/off street parking income and a reduction in the local land charges income both resulting form the current economic circumstances. There were concerns that there had been a 4%, equating to 400K, reduction in leisure income, primarily from a reduction in the use of Easthampstead Park Mansion for conferences. Officers were currently looking at how expenditure could be reduced at Easthampstead Park Mansion. No capital schemes had been identified for carry forwards.

The Panel were advised that a number of hard to recruit posts had been successfully filled and that the Department’s staff turnover rate for the quarter ending June 2009 was low at 2.36%. Sickness stood at 2.31 days per employee for the quarter. The Panel noted that management improvements had led to a reduction in short term sickness and that the increase was due to long term sickness , typically serious illness, where the Council’s Occupational Health service was involved.

Key highlights from the Department included: confirmation of the South Hill Park grant, strong performance relating to the environment with very effective street cleansing, waste disposal and notices being issued for fly tipping where necessary, a more consistent price structure for cemetery and crematorium services, safeguarding training undertaken within Leisure Services to help staff identify and respond to any issues that arose, an increase in the number of traders who are now part of the ‘Buy with Confidence Scheme’, business continuity plans were now in place to cope with any staffing issues that occurred due to swine flu and minor changes within the structure of the Department.

Arising from Members’ questions and comments the following points were noted:

• The new Choice Based Letting computer system had been purchased. A system bespoke to Bracknell Forest was to be written to reflect the Council’s recently agreed allocation policy.
• The target for the increase in the number of affordable homes in the Borough (action 3.7 in support of Medium Term Objective 3) was to be clarified by the Chief Officer for Housing.
• Due to variation in the number of new build lets available at particular times of the year, the number of applicants for new build lets in the quarter was higher than the number of new build lets available.
• The Chief Officer for Environment and Public Protection had requested that the Highways Maintenance budget be returned to the Enhancing the Environment Budget to allow more effective management.

The Panel congratulated officers on the production of an education pack on the pitfalls of shopping and consumer rights for Year 10 and 11 students. The pack had been successfully trialled at Easthampstead Park School and would be launched nationally at the Trading Standards Institute Conference. A copy of the Fair Trading education pack, featuring a DVD for Year 10 and 11 students was to be made available for Members of the Panel to view.

The Panel congratulated officers on their successful management of the Department’s performance and budget.