Agenda and minutes

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting and update any matters arising

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting held on 30^th July, 2007.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting held on 30^th July, 2007, be approved as a correct record.

- notes from meeting held on 2^nd August, 2007

The notes of the meeting held on 2^nd August, 2007, regarding the Disability Discrimination Act and Service provision from Police Stations, attended by Councillors Hodgkiss and Kaye, were noted.

It was noted that the Customer Access Strategy was in the process of review.  The issues raised would be included in the review.

To consider the attached report of the Chief Executive, RBT

The Service Leader, Performance and Improvement, presented a report on the progress and performance of RBT for the period June and July, 2007, highlighting:-

-              RBT Services response to the Borough emergency in June

-              Call-queuing live in HR & P in June

-              HR & P training sessions in June

-              Indications from the BFI of a 4* Benefits Service score

In addition, reference was also made to:-

o             Customer Services/Public Access

o             HR and Payroll

o             ICT

o             Procurement

o             Revenues and Benefits

o             Progress against Corporate initiatives

            -           Equalities and Diversity

            -           Investors in People

            -           Consultation/Complaints

Due to the major flooding incident, the Emergency Plan had been activated on 25^th June which had impacted directly on the Contract Centre.  Existing Contact Centre resources were used to manage the service whilst operating 24 hours a day until it was officially stood down on 2^nd July, 2007.  As a result, it had been agreed with the Client that SLA targets be suspended for June.  Work was taking place with the Chief Executive’s Directorate on SLAs that had an affect on BVPIs, particularly for Revenues and Benefits.

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

(2)  That Legal Services be requested to convey the Council’s concerns at the short notice given by the Magistrates Court regarding the late movement of the 22^nd August, 2007, Council Tax Liability Order Hearing to Doncaster and the subsequent adjournment of all listed cases by the Magistrates themselves as they believed customers had been given insufficient notice of the change.

(3)  That an update be submitted to the next meeting on on-line recruitment.

(4)  That the analysis of the 2007 RBT staff survey be submitted to the next meeting.

To consider the minutes of the meeting of the Communications and Marketing Group held on 13^th August 2007

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of the Communications and Marketing Group held on 13^th August, 2007.

Resolved:-  That the contents of the minutes be noted.

To consider the minutes of the meeting of the Procurement Panel held on 31^st July 2007

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the Procurement Panel held on 31^st July, 2007.

Resolved:-  That the contents of the minutes be noted.

To consider any questions received from Elected Members

There were no issues to report.

Resolved:-  That the Cabinet Member (or substitute) be authorised to attend the following:-

A Morning with Eurostar to be held on 13^th September in Doncaster.

The 3^rd Annual NWeGG Conference “New Frontiers for Transformation” to be held on 12^th December, 2007, at Manchester.

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended (information relating to financial affairs)

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (information relating to financial affairs).

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act -

Further to Minute No. 72 of 12^th February, 2007, a progress report was submitted on Council Tax collection performance in 2006/07 (both in Rotherham and on a national level), the progress made in the implementation of the Council Tax Action Plan, including the impact of increased bailiff flexibility and also details of collection performance so far in 2007/08.

Much of the work on the action plan had not commenced until February.  Rotherham had collected 97.0% of the Council Tax due during 2006/07, a reduction of 0.1% compared to 2005/06.  Whilst disappointing, Rotherham remained the best performing metropolitan district council in Yorkshire and had the 7^th best collection rate out of 36 metropolitan districts nationally.  The national average collection rate during 2006/07 was 95.3%.

Appendix A of the report submitted detailed progress made on the 22 individual actions included on the action plan, 16 of which were either completed or work had commenced with 6 still in the course of development.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the continuing utilisation of measures contained within the action place be approved together with the implementation of the remainder of the plan.

(2)  That a further update report on the progress and impact of the Council Tax Action Plan be submitted in May, 2008.