Issue - meetings

That the contents of the agenda report be noted and that Members continue to monitor and challenge the Council’s performance alongside its financial performance for the same period.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Efficiency, Councillor Stephen Sweeney updated Members on the revenue aspect of the report. Members’ attention was drawn to paragraph 3 of Appendix A which showed the Revenue Budget position and the reasons for the variance.

The Leader sated that it was a positive report for this quarter.

Councillor Sweeney referred Members to page 59 of the agenda report advising that a total of £92,500 had been invested in ‘A town centre for all’.

The Leader spoke on the performance part of the report.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Recycling – Councillor Trevor Johnson stated that all of the indicators relating to his Portfolio were on target.

The Leader advised that all Customer and ICT indicators were also on target. Absence figures were also improving with the Sickness Management Policy embedding into the Authority.  In addition, a new HR Manager had been appointed and would be starting work early in the new year. 

Councillor Sweeney advised that the Revenue and Benefit’s indicators were also good.

The Leader advised on the indicators for Planning on behalf of the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Growth, Councillor Paul Northcott, stating that the indicators were fairly fluid with none that were not on target where targets had been set.

The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Wellbeing, Councillor Jill Waring sated that the indicators were good.  The Leader added that the Community Safety Team had been working with partners and the numbers of rough sitters and Anti-Social Behaviour incidents had fallen.

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Heritage, Councillor Mark Holland advised that issues with J2 had impacted upon the growth of membership at the facility.  The Council had contracted Alliance Leisure to increase and retain the membership.

The Leader added that steps were being taken to deal with the condition of the building and thanked Mr Hamilton for his work on the matter.

Members’ attention was drawn to page 73 of the agenda – ‘a town centre for all’.  The Leader wanted to see businesses doing well on the run up to Christmas.  Councillor Sweeney advised Members of the free parking for late night shopping and the switching on of the Christmas lights and also the reduced rate after 3pm.

The Leader advised that the new Town Centre Officer was now in post and was already helping to invigorate the market.

Resolved:      That the contents of the agenda report be noted and that

                        Members continue to monitor and challenge the Council’s

                        performance alongside its financial performance for the same

                        period.