Issue - meetings

The report of the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services is attached.

The Financial Services Manager presented the report of the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services which highlighted the quarter three position of the Council in terms of financial and performance management. The Financial Services Manager was pleased to note that the overall financial position for the year was positive, with overall service revenue efficiencies of £525,000 and business rates providing an additional £354k. It was stated that despite there being sufficient revenue efficiencies, such funding would be required given the significant risks in relation to future business income streams and ensuring the delivery of the carbon management action plan. It was explained that there was a net expenditure efficiency position of £17.807m which was primarily due to planning delays and schemes commencing in 2020/21.

The Service Manager – Finance and Corporate Services noted that at the end of quarter three tasks were performing well including the relocation of R2Go service and Streetwise complete and the relocation of the Rushcliffe Community Contact Centre also complete as of February 2020. It was explained that there were two strategic task exceptions which were LICO64 – number of pavilion, community hall and playing field users and LINS24 – number of affordable homes delivered. Other operational exceptions included the number of domestic burglaries per 1000 households and the percentage of calls answered in 40 seconds. The Service Manager explained that it was important to look at both the strategic and operational tasks together  as for example, operational planning performance could be viewed as poor; however, the strategic indicators, and arguably more important, in terms of the Council meeting its stated goals, are performing very strongly.

The Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services explained that a call back service had been introduced to those who did not have their calls answered by the customer services team within 40 seconds and was pleased to note that even though the percentage of calls answered in this time period had dropped, customer satisfaction still remained high. The Executive Manager also asked the Group to consider whether corporate sickness needed to be scrutinised despite the small size of the organisation. It was agreed that a separate report be circulated to the Group but that it would not be scrutinised.

It was RESOLVED that

a)    The report of the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services be noted.

b)    The projected revenue position for the year with £0.906m of budget efficiencies be noted

c)    The Capital underspend of £17.807m as a result of projects no longer preceding or planning delays.

d)    The finance and performance exceptions be identified and noted

e)    The Group be circulated a report regarding corporate sickness detailing whether long term sickness was something beyond the Council’s control.