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Lewes and Eastbourne
Councils

Agenda item

Corporate performance - quarter 1 2018/19

Report of Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning

Lead Cabinet members: Councillors Stephen Holt and Colin Swansborough

Decision:

(Key decision):

 

(1) To note the achievements and progress against Corporate Plan priorities for 2018/19, as set out in part A of the report.

 

(2) To agree the General Fund, HRA and Collection Fund financial performance for the quarter ended June 2018 as set out in part B of the report

 

(3) To agree the amended capital programme as set out at appendix 4 to the report.

 

(4) To agree the Treasury Management performance as set out in section 5 in part B of the report.

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Regeneration and Planning and Deputy Chief Executive, updating them on the Council’s performance against Corporate Plan priority actions, performance indicators and targets for the first quarter of 2018/19.

 

Visiting member, Councillor Freebody, addressed the Cabinet on the performance indicators and praised the decision to reduce the staff absence days due to sickness target to 8 days. Councillor Freebody further commented on the performance indicator for calls answered within 60 seconds and abandoned calls that had fallen below its quarter one target.

 

The Cabinet shared the concerns raised by Councillor Freebody and attributed multiple factors to the performance for call response. This included the vacancy rate within the Customer First team, training of new staff and implementation of new ways of working, a large increase in calls due to the changes in central government policies around benefits and implementation of the council’s new garden waste system. In comparison to quarter one of last year, there had been a 49% increase in the number of calls. Queue busting continued to assist with the answering times and a recruitment drive has been completed with 8 preferred candidates being offered roles. The Cabinet advised that call response would continue to be monitored on a regular basis.

 

Councillor Tutt referenced that Councillor Jenkins had enquired about why the Sovereign Harbour Community Centre had been flagged as green when work had not been completed. Although the construction of the building had been completed, the Centre was not yet open to the public. The Chief Executive responded that this was due to snagging and gas connection work being carried out and an administrative matter of the deed of variation being formally signed by relevant parties after agreement. Once a definitive date for delivery of gas connection works was provided by Southern Gas Network, this would be communicated to Sovereign Councillors to inform their constituents.

 

The Cabinet discussed the key performance indicators for those at risk of homelessness and households living in emergency accommodation. The Council had re-prioritised resources across the organisation to a new Homelessness Pressures Project to help address what was a national issue. Other multi-agency initiatives had been carried out including the launch of the Street Community Partnership Initiative and thanks were conveyed to council officers and the other agencies associated with the work taking place.

 

The Cabinet praised the notable achievements for the quarter, detailed in the report and confirmed that key priorities over the next quarter would include improving the call response time at the Customer Contact Centre, reducing the number of abandoned calls, housing issues and disabled facilities grants.

 

Part B of the report detailed the Council’s financial performance for the first quarter of the year 2018/19. The Cabinet expressed their thanks to the Deputy Chief Executive and the finance team for continuing to ensure the Council had strong financial resilience, in comparison to other authorities across the country.

 

Resolved (key decision):

 

(1) To note the achievements and progress against Corporate Plan priorities for 2018/19, as set out in part A of the report.

 

(2) To agree the General Fund, HRA and Collection Fund financial performance for the quarter ended June 2018 as set out in part B of the report

 

(3) To agree the amended capital programme as set out at appendix 4 to the report.

 

(4) To agree the Treasury Management performance as set out in section 5 in part B of the report

 

Reason for decision:

 

To enable Cabinet members to consider specific aspects of the Council’s progress and performance.

Supporting documents: