Agenda item

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 several occasions, and the Authority through previous meetings had committed to undertake its own satisfaction surveys and spot checks.  Unfortunately this work had been suspended due to the current lockdown, but would be resumed once the Centre re-opened.

In response to questions around the number of Freedom of Information requests received, Officers confirmed the figure stated was correct, and concurred that the level was rising and could be resource intensive.  Trends were monitored through an internal officer board, this monitoring drove service improvement, primarily by looking at the type of information requested, and trying to ensure this was readily available on the website.

In response to comments regarding the need to monitor the impact of the new leisure facility at Market Rasen, not only from a usage point of view but its impact on mental and physical well-being. The Chairman proposed an additional recommendation for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, when discussing the Progress and Delivery report criteria, to consider a set of appropriate measures for the Leisure Centres in both Gainsborough and Market Rasen, ensuring the differences and similarities between the sites was taken into consideration.  This was seconded.

The Senior Performance Officer also advised that wider targets around Health, Well Being and Sport where in place and were monitored through the Corporate Plan Measures, linked to the Corporate Plan objectives, as opposed to through Performance and Delivery.  Such matters were also referenced in the State of the District report, which was due for publication in July.

Following much debate and on being put to the vote, it was

RESOLVED to: -

(a)   Agree that the performance of the Council’s services through agreed performance measures had been assessed. Areas where improvement could be made had been highlighted during the course of debate, whilst having regard to the remedial measures set out in the report;

(b)   Note the updates provided for each of the Council’s service areas which detailed how the Covid-19 pandemic was affecting Council operations, and the likely effect on performance over the next 12 months;

(c )  Request the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, when discussing Progress and Delivery report criteria, to consider appropriate measures for the Leisure Centres in Gainsborough and Market Rasen ensuring the differences and similarities between the sites was taken into consideration.