Issue - meetings

The Committee gave consideration to the Progress and Delivery Report for period one of the 2019/20 civic year. The Director of Governance explained that the report had been seen by both policy committees prior to the summer recess and the minutes of those meetings had been included with the report. He explained that Members had two roles, primarily to scrutinise the work of the two policy committees in challenging the details of the performance report but also to agree to the formation of a working group to review the performance measures to be used in 2020/21.

The Chairman highlighted that the role of the Committee was not to get embroiled in the details of the report, but rather to focus on the discussions held at the policy committees. She encouraged Members of Overview and Scrutiny to attend those policy meetings when the progress and delivery reports were heard in order to be able to see first-hand what discussions were had.

There was discussion regarding the rental of the former Lidl site and figures for missed waste collections. These details were clarified and acknowledged, by those who attended the policy meetings, that they had been discussed.

The Chairman read aloud the recommendations from the report and it was unanimously

            RESOLVED that

a)    The Committee had examined the responses given to the report by the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee and the Prosperous Communities Committee and were assured  that the appropriate level of challenge is being made by those committees to the information contained in the report; and

b)    The formation of a Member working group, comprising Members of O&S Committee, whose remit will be to oversee the performance measure and target setting process in readiness for 2020/21, be agreed.

Members considered the Progress and Delivery report for period 1 of 2019/20.

The below areas were highlighted:

·         Performance remained below target for the average number of market stalls.  An action plan for markets had been signed off, along with the relocation of the Farmers’ Market;

Members were to receive a progress report on this area at Prosperous Communities Committee in December;

·         A workshop had been held in April on the subject of Home Choices, and a number of areas had been highlighted for improvement actions.

Members then provided comment, and asked questions of officers.  The following information was provided:

·         Home Choices was an important area and both a national and district priority.  A number of changes had been introduced with the aim of improving the service; one of these changes was taking the housing register back ‘in-house’.

·         The presentation and complexity of the housing need had altered dramatically.  More individuals are presenting with drug, drink, debt and anti-social behavioural problems; something more was needed by Members and the public in terms of commentary;

·         The Home Choices team now have the ability to compare themselves against other districts  with help from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) ;

·         The criteria for homelessness was now different.  There was a duty to assist everyone that presented to the Council, but this duty did not extend necessarily to finding housing.  The rates attached to providing accommodation had declined because of the Homelessness Reduction Act.

The main areas of concern in the district were Gainsborough and Market Rasen;

·         There had been an error within the report under ‘Healthy District’ - the number of people using the Leisure Centre.  The numbers were still below target.

RESOLVED to note the report.

Members gave consideration to a report which assessed the performance of the Council’s services through agreed performance measures, as at the end of Period 1 for the 2019/2020 year.    Members were asked to review performance and recommend areas where improvements should be made, having regard to any remedial measures already included within the report.

The report summary was structured to highlight those areas that were performing above expectations, and those areas where there was a risk to either performance or delivery.

Table two identified measures where performance was outside agreed tolerance for two periods or more.  Measures where additional improvement actions had been requested by Management Team had also been highlighted, these primarily related to the Home Choice Function.

Debate ensued and the majority of Councillors indicated they were pleased with the report and welcomed the improved clarity; the recommendations were moved and seconded.

However concern was raised that the Committee were not being challenging enough. Some Members considered the situation in respect of the Market dire, and suggested the Council had given up and were doing nothing to try and reverse the trend.  It also questioned why the measures had been changed.

In response, Officers advised the report was an exception basis report, and therefore only those measures which were falling above or below their target featured. Assurance was offered that the Markets Team were undertaking lots of work in accordance with the previous decisions undertaken by the Committee. This included an options appraisal with the results due to be reported to the Committee in December.  Concern was expressed that the timeline was too long.

The Executive Director for Economic and Commercial Growth summarised to the committee the current position, in terms of previous decisions.  The Council were currently in a one year contract with Marshalls Yard for increased promotion of the Markets and two Annual Events, the impact of this would be included within Decembers report, as the contract reached its conclusion.

There was a general discussion regarding some of the alternative options which should be explored, including charity markets and boot sales.  The weekend event organised in June had proven that people would come to the Market place if there was something there.  Members spoke at length regarding the challenges Markets across the country faced, although this was disputed by some, with the suggestion that a more inventive stance was required.

In light of the comments raised, particularly regarding the Saturday market operations, it was apparent the Team Manager’s comments included with the report had not satisfied the Committee’s concerns. 

Members therefore requested that the Market Manager be requested to provide additional comments in respect of the improvement works and efficiencies being generated in respect of the Market Operations in the next report.  In the event that Members’ remained dissatisfied, it was suggested that the Markets Manager be requested to attend a future meeting.

On that basis it was RESOLVED that: -

having critically appraised the performance of the Council’s services through agreed performance measures, and having  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15