Issue - meetings

Members considered the Progress and Delivery report for period 4 2019/2020, including the months January to March 2020.  This would be the last time the report would come to Corporate Policy and Resources Committee in this format.

The Senior Performance Officer introduced the report and in doing so highlighted that the quarter had been largely unaffected by Covid-19.  78.4% of the performance measures set were being met or exceeded, however it was expected that Covid-19 would impact on some of these areas in the near future.  Examples of areas that would be affected included the West Lindsey Leisure Centre, car parking and the Trinity Arts Centre

Members were also asked to note that there had been a second recommendation added to the paper related to ‘service updates’ and how the Covid-19 pandemic was affecting Council operations.

Robust debate ensued with some Members expressing concern that the satisfaction levels, stated within the report, in respect of the Gainsborough Leisure Centre, did not match their own personal experience; nor that of residents who were making repeated complaints to Local Councillors.  Despite this continuing to be raised, some Members felt this situation was not resolved and not enough action was being taken.  Further disappointment was expressed that in light of the enforced closure, the opportunity had not been taken to drain and clean the pool, and thoroughly deep clean the facilities.

The decision to suspend the current cinema project within the Market Place, Gainsborough was considered sensible given the current climate and the unknown financial position going forward, however Opposition Councillors questioned why the same approach was not being applied to the 5-7 Market Place Project.  It was suggested that the project was poor value for money, even more so given the financial impact of COVID-19 and should too be suspended.

In response, dealing with latter, the Leader outlined the difference between the two projects, one being dependent on an outside body and partner arrangement, whilst the second was in total ownership of the Council and was being part funded by Heritage Lottery funding, which came with conditions.  The Chief Executive echoed these comments, the Council needed to deal with the property and any ideas for the site were welcome.  There were opposing views as to the wider benefits of Townscape Heritage Initiatives, with an Opposition Member calling for the project to re-considered by Council.

Regarding the Leisure Centre, Members were reminded that the Council were currently supporting the costs of critical staff only at the Leisure Centre, with the remaining staff furloughed.  Therefore, only essential maintenance had been undertaken during the closure.  A deep clean would be undertaken before re-opening.

The Senior Performance Officer also urged Members to forward any resident complaints they received directly onto the Council.  Satisfaction levels were based on the number of complaints, received, if these were not being made directly to the Council and forwarded on by Local Members, they were not being captured within the statistics.  It was acknowledged that cleanliness had been raised on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5

Members considered the Progress and Delivery report for period 4 2019/2020, including the months January to March 2020.  This would be the last time the report would come to Prosperous Communities Committee in this format.

The Senior Performance Officer introduced the report and in doing so highlighted that the quarter had been largely unaffected by Covid-19.  78.4% of the performance measures set were being met or exceeded, however it was expected that Covid-19 would impact on some of these areas in the near future.  Examples of areas that would be affected included the West Lindsey Leisure Centre, car parking and the Trinity Arts Centre

Members were also asked to note that there had been a second recommendation added to the paper related to ‘service updates’ and how the Covid-19 pandemic was affecting Council operations.

Councillors thanked Officers for their work and adopting and coping in extraordinary times and continuing to deliver services.

In response to questions regarding the nature  and frequency of phone calls being received, and the reasons why 4 of the 9 contracts referenced were not won by local suppliers the Senior Performance Officer undertook to circulate this information outside of the meeting.

Concerns were raised around the cleanliness of the Leisure Centre and assurances were sought that this would be rectified before the centre re-opened. Officers also undertook to include further narrative around the outreach programme and its successes.  There were calls from Opposition Councillors to revisit the Gainsborough THI Project including 5 – 7 Market Place. It was suggested that the project was poor value for money, even more so given the financial impact of COVID-19 and should be suspended

In response to several comments and points the Chief Executive addressed the Committee.  Specifically in respect of homelessness, the Council did own nine units used for moving on accommodation and therefore the provision suggested by some Councillors already existed and there was no evidence that further stock was needed.  With regard to the cinema development the competition to the Trinity Arts Centre had been recognised.  It was intended to work with the provider, once they were operating in order to jointly programme the two sites, to ensure they were complementary offers as opposed to competing ones.  The programming at the Trinity Arts Centre was already being changed to ensure its income relied less on cinema and more on live acts.  The target was to reduce dependency to 25%.  The Authority were continuing to tackle empty homes and the intention of the viable housing solution was for the provider to be in a position to acquire a critical mass of stock in an attempt to influence and disrupt the market forces in the area.

Further questions were asked around capital costs of projects and Officers were asked to clarify why the Council may be subject to increased costs, if contracts were signed and prices agreed.  In response, Members noted that this was a cautionary note as there were some projects that were not currently contracted.  The Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7