Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meeting held on 14th May, 2007 be approved as a correct record.

Lorna Kelly, Corporate Improvement Manager, presented the submitted report highlighting that, over the last year, Corporate Performance Clinics had continued throughout the Authority to drive up performance in areas identified as being of concern through the quarterly reporting process.

A total of 12 performance clinics had been held since October, 2006. The report provided an overall update on the action/outcomes resulting from the performance clinics and also made recommendations for future performance clinics to be held in the next few months.

Performance management was key to the effective delivery and provision of services. It was also a specific area within the CPA framework. The performance clinics were recommended as the measures were at risk of affecting the CPA service block scores.

It was noted that Corporate Management Team, at its meeting on 6th August, 2007 had approved the suggested performance clinics with a target for completion by the end of October, 2007.

Discussion and a question and answer session ensued and the following issues were covered :-

-           percentage NEETS and clinic organised by the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP)

-           need for a challenge to the internal challenge within the LSP. It was noted that Overview and Scrutiny was challenging the performance of the LSP three to four times per year

-           need to ensure Cabinet Members were aware of any actions arising from officer meetings

-           number of vulnerable people accessing supported accommodation (PAF C32) and requirement to be done politically. Need to improve reporting arrangements corporately

-           supported residents and need to look at the impact of measures in respect of : decent homes, assistive technologies and admissions to residential and social care

-           need for budgetary discussions in respect of the above to target resourcing issues

-           need to revisit the vision :

-           home care categories

-           drop off in community meals (report still outstanding)

-           BV 204 planning appeals : the percentage of planning appeals allowed. Planning Board Members to get results of the clinic and consider involvement of the Chair of the Planning Board in the clinic

-           planning enforcement : need for a review in terms of the workload and need for budgetary discussions to target resourcing issues

-           Section 106 monies and need for a complete review : possible Base Budget Review discussion

-           impact of performance clinics on Key Stages 1-4

Resolved:- (1) That the information be noted.

(2) That the progress made at the performance clinics be noted.

(3) That the proposed further performance clinics be noted.

(4) That, with regard to Section 106 monies, a report be sought in the first instance from Karl Battersby, Acting Strategic Director of Environment and Development Services.

Matt Gladstone, Assistant Chief Executive, presented the submitted report indicating that the Corporate Improvement Plan was developed initially in Summer 2005 to help focus the Council on its capacity to ensure it could deliver its corporate priorities, provide the best possible services to the public and achieve an improved corporate assessment rating.

Over the past few months there had been a number of internal and external issues that needed to feature within the Corporate Improvement Plan to guide the Council in its priority to become an excellent authority but also to prepare the Council for the forthcoming changes in local government.

The report highlighted the rationale for revising the Corporate Improvement Plan which was approved by Corporate Management Team at its meeting on 6th August, 2007. The Plan was submitted as an appendix to the report.

Matt outlined messages/key issues including :-

-           White Paper

-           stretch targets

-           CPA score

-           Governance

-           partnership working

-           reputation/consultation/communication

-           health

-           older people

-           ALMO

It was noted that individual reports on issues would be submitted to CMT, Cabinet and Scrutiny.

Particular reference was made to the need to look at how scrutiny and the executive worked together in challenging partners.

Resolved:- That the information be noted and progress reports be awaited.

Matt Gladstone, Assistant Chief Executive, gave an update on the CPA Direction of Travel and submitted the following papers relating to how the Council would be assessed :-

-           key lines of enquiry (KLOE)

-           judgement labels and descriptors

-           guidance for single tier and county councils

It was noted that a report was to be considered today by Corporate Management Team,

It was noted that interviews would be taking place over the next few weeks regarding the CPA.

Matt Gladstone, Assistant Chief Executive, referred briefly to the Board’s terms of reference and links to the ‘Our Future’ work.

The intention was to work within existing meetings and work was ongoing with a view to integrating/ disbanding/amalgamating working groups.

Reference was also made to the need to ensure that everyone was clear who was doing what and that working groups through the LSP/theme boards were also looked at.

Resolved:- That the next meeting be held on Monday, 19th November, 2007 at 10.00 a.m.