Agenda item

To consider the latest trends, priorities and pressures in terms of departmental performance as reported in the QSR for the third quarter of 2014/15 (October to December 2014) relating to Environment, Culture and Communities.  An overview of the fourth quarter of 2014/15 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 QSR for the third quarter of 2014-15 relating to Environment, Culture and Communities.

The QSR showed an underspend of £112k which was predicted to increase to £250k by the end of the year resulting in a significant saving.

It was noted that:

·                     There were pressures on the concessionary fares budget as a result of a change in the funding formula by the bus companies and an increase in bus users.

·                     Waste disposal costs were increasing as the economy recovered and more waste was being disposed of. 

·                     The Downshire Golf Complex was predicted to meet its income target

·                     The Look Out income had increased as a result of more users visiting the centre.

·                     Savings had been made in the public realm contracts.

·                     £2 million had been carried forward in advance of the town centre highway works.

·                     There had been a re-negotiation of the Green Deal Community Fund since the original fund had been allocated. The fund would now run until April 2016.

·                     The average vacancy factor was 8.4% due to difficulties in recruiting some staff, most notably planning staff and this was affecting performance in the planning division.

·                     Staff sickness was increasing marginally but it was still low.

·                     The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Planning Inspector concluded that the council’s Charging Schedule was fit for purpose and that  CIL would be introduced by the Council on 6 April 2015.

·                     The new contracts for highway maintenance, ground maintenance and street cleansing were going well.

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

·                     Up to £7K was available under the Green Deal Community Fund to residents to make environmental improvements to houses; the majority of which had been used for wall insulation, however, it could not be used for solar panels.

·                     Officers would include the actual figures for department performance indicators LO14 & L175 concerning the number of people injured or killed in road traffic accidents in the preceding 12 months in future QSRs.

·                     In terms of improving Great Hollands Library, the extension had been completed and the increase in opening hours was being staffed by volunteers.

·                     The town centre projects would not be affected as the difficulties being experienced in recruiting planners as the vacancies were at senior planning levels and the town centre projects had an established staff resource.

·                     The Panel would be advised at its next meeting whether the fines issued in connection with the Residents’ Parking Scheme covered the costs of operating the scheme.

·                     Following the appointment of Environmental Health Officers and a Regulatory Services Officer, these teams were now fully staffed in accordance with the staffing establishment.

·                     A complaint relating to a building control matter had led to a finding of maladministration by the Local Government Ombudsman.

·                     A £400k virement had been used for the preparation of detailed design and specifications relating to the tendering process for the works at Coral Reef.

·                     The Coral Reef roundabout works were due to be finished at around the same time as the re-opening of Coral Reef.

The Panel congratulated the department on the high number of compliments received.