Issue - meetings

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

Cabinet considered a report detailing the financial position and Council performance for quarter 1.  The report looked at the General Fund Revenue Budget and the impact of Covid-19.  During this quarter the pandemic had impacted the Council’s finances both due to lost income and increased costs although there had been £1.573 funding from Government secured to date.  The Government had also advised that they would be sharing income losses incurred as a result of Covid 19.  The report outlined that a review of the Capital Programme had taken place and how the revised Programme now looked.

The report detailed service performance for Quarter 1 and set out monitoring information for 16 Performance Indicators.  The data showed that 87% of indicators had met their target (where set) or were within tolerance levels.    

A number of council priorities were highlighted – Customer and ICT had performed well and the target exceeded in one area; the Revenues and Benefits target could not be met due to the suspension of recovery action; staff sickness levels were just over the target which was a much better performance than expected within the context of Covid-19.  For Property Services the vacancy rates for Council owned property were low and planning and development services had performed well.  Incidences of Anti-Social Behaviour were low, the new CCTV in the Town Centre was effective in helping visitors to feel safe. Both J2 and the museum had remained closed during Quarter 1 but had reopened in a Covid secure way in Quarter 2.  The market was successful with a number of themed markets taking place and high occupancy among stall holders.

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