Agenda item

To consider the latest trends, priorities and pressures in terms of departmental performance as reported in the Performance Monitoring Report for the second quarter of 2010/11 (July to September) relating to the Environment, Culture and Communities Department. An overview of the third quarter will also be provided.

Please bring the previously circulated Performance Monitoring Report to the meeting.  Copies are available on request and attached to this agenda if viewed online.

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 2nd quarter of 2010/11. The presentation outlined the Department’s finances as at November 2010, highlighted major variances on revenue and identified capital schemes that would be carried forward. Staffing issues, key highlights and a forward look were also included.

The Panel noted that there was an increase in net revenue of £331,000 which was a result of the Department being given additional areas of responsibility. It was noted that there was a Capital Finance underspend of 1.6%.

Carry forwards identified in the Capital Programme included: the Housing Transfer Receipt, Cemetery and Crematorium Mercury Abatement, South Hill Park Grounds Restoration Project, Programme of Leisure Section 106 Schemes and Highway works.

The Panel was advised that the Department had an average vacancy factor of 8.73%. Overall, vacancies had increased by 5 in the quarter due to little recruitment as part of budget efficiencies in the previous quarter and the vacancy freeze currently in place for non front-line posts.

Key highlights for the Department included: continued work on changes from the new Government’s announcements, Bracknell Leisure Centre and Coral Reef achieved the Customer Service Excellence Award which had been held continuously since 1993, a Cryptosporidium incident at Coral Reef which had been successfully resolved with an independent inspection noting that the Centre was the best managed water facility they had visited to date, and the announcement of a new Waitrose foodstore in the Town Centre.

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

• Trading Standards & Services had worked with Thames Valley Police to check the weight of goods vehicles driving within the Borough. Over 50% exceeded the maximum weight permitted. The service could not be accessed on a regular basis due to cost and it was not currently known when another check would take place. Officers were developing actions to address the issue and build future checks in to the work programme.
• An improvement notice had been issued to National Grid Gas in relation to poor performance and safety measures on the mains replacement programmes in Bullbrook and Priestwood. Further details of the improvement notice would be provided to Members.
• Re-painting of Worlds End Footbridge had been deferred, however a judgement would need to be made on when to repaint the bridge as it was part of essential maintenance to prevent large repair costs in the future. The bridge had not been re-painted for a period of 22 years.

Concern was expressed that Ward Members were not fully consulted on the allocation of Section 106 monies. It was agreed that the allocation of Section 106 monies would be sent to all Members for consultation when it was sent to the Parish and Town Council Liaison Group.

The Panel congratulated the Housing Team’s Officers on the Homelessness Service which had returned to in-house management from a contracted service resulting in a saving for the Department.

The Panel thanked the Director and Officers on their successful management of the Department’s performance and budget.