Agenda item

Director's Introductory Briefing & Service Plan 2015/16

The Director will provide an introductory briefing in respect of the Department’s role and functions which are described in the attached Service Plan.

Minutes:

Mr Paliczka informed Members that he and his team were looking forward to working with the new Panel. Mr Paliczka gave a presentation summarising the Quarterly Service Report and drawing Members’ attention to some of the variances detailed in the report.

 

Income for the department was just under £19 million and there was a variance of about £304,000. The variance was due to issues such as:

 

·                     The Community Infrastructure Levy being introduced on April 2015 instead of April 2014 as originally planned by Government.

·                     More people claiming concessionary fares and the method of calculation by bus companies changing.

·                     Savings made in public realm contracts.

·                     Staffing budgets starting at -3% with the department having to fund the shortfall.

·                     Residents’ street parking costing more than anticipated.

 

The capital programme was £15,843,500. About half would be carried forward. This was due to variables like planning permission being granted and access to bridges. Capital budgets over £50,000 which were being carried forward were highlighted in the report.

 

The staff vacancy factor in the department was 7.82% and staff sickness was at 5.7% at the year end. The department had been successful at managing absence.

 

Looking forward the department would be working on:

 

·                     Coral Reef refurbishment

·                     Town Centre regeneration

·                     Bus Station redevelopment

·                     Harmans Water Library

·                     Leisure Management System

·                     Coral Reef – roundabout works

·                     Jennett’s Park – roundabout works

·                     Budgets

·                     Town Centre

·                     Comprehensive Local Plan

·                     Jennett’s Park land transfer

·                     Commercial sponsorship tendering

 

A 6 month service plan linked to key council objectives was highlighted in the report.

 

A Member asked about the feasibility of a wind turbine and low levels solar panels being installed in the borough. Mr Palinczka responded that there was only 1 site in the borough with enough wind flow for a wind turbine. However, there would be too much disruption to the area to make it viable.  A suitable site for low level solar panels was at the London Road landfill. However, the environmental condition of the site meant it was not possible at present.

 

A Member queried the lack of risk analysis in the report. Mr Paliczka responded that a department risk register existed separately and information could be included in future reports.

 

Officers were congratulated on the doubling of the number of compliments received compared with the previous quarter.

 

Members were updated on Re3 waste disposal contract on page 16 of the QSR. There had been no 3rd adjudication and the Council was in negotiation with the contractor.

 

Members queried the predicted costs of the Coral Reef refurbishment against savings made on the project. Mr Paliczka explained that the budget had been set 3 years ago and whilst some savings had been made in some areas, other costs such as building were rising by 7% compared to 3 years ago.

 

Members noted that the existing street lighting was being replaced with LED lighting.  In response to a question, Members were advised that estate roads were inspected once a year under the Highways Maintenance Plan which identified intervention levels for road repairs.

Supporting documents:

 

Contact Information

Democratic services

Email: committee@bracknell-forest.gov.uk