Agenda item

That Members note the contents of the attached report and continue to monitor

and challenge the Council’s performance alongside its financial performance for the same period.

A report was submitted to Cabinet, providing the Financial and Performance Review Report for quarter three 2019/20.

Councillor Sweeney introduced the first part of the report, drawing Members’ attention to page 201 which outlined the current financial position.

The Leader introduced the performance part of the report, commencing at page 205 of the agenda and the indicators commencing at page 208 of the agenda.

All of the indicators for Priority One - Local Services that Work for Local People were on target or had not changed.  Councillor Johnson stated that he was hopeful that the New Recycling Service would commence the roll-out by the end of April.

The Leader referred to paragraph 1.3 – the average number of days per employee lost to sickness which was not on target but was heading in the right direction.  

The indicators for Priority Two – Growing our People and Places were all on target.  Councillor Northcott stated that there was phenomenal performance across the board.  Thanks were expressed to Sim Manley who had been the Interim Head of Planning who had held the team together.  Councillor Northcott also thanked Jemma March and her team for their work on the Joint Local Plan.

The Leader also thanked Mr Manley, Ms March and her team for their hard work. Reference was made to the ongoing progress of the Keele University Growth Corridor adding that regular meetings were taking place with regard to transport and sequencing of development.

The indicators for Priority Three – A Healthy, Active and Safe Borough showed that the number of people accessing leisure and recreational facilities and the net growth in J2 membership were not on target. Councillor Maxfield advised that procedures were in place and there were having a positive effect. 

The Leader stated that CCTV was moving forward with locations for the cameras having been agreed. 

The indicators for Priority Four –  A Town Centre for All showed that the average stall occupancy for markets was not on target.  However, Councillor Sweeney advised Members that the number of followers on Twitter had increased to over 90,000.  In addition, there would be an H G Wells themed market, antiques market and food markets would be returning.  Councillor Sweeney added that electricity points were being installed on the market stalls which will allow for evening trading.

The Leader added that there was a lot of activity going on within Priority Four with the Town Boards, Future High Street Fund and the Borough Growth Fund.

In addition, Kidsgrove Sports Centre was also key to the Town Deal.  The Leader stated that ‘A Town Centre for All’ referred to both of the towns within the Borough.

Reference was made to target 4.1, payment for car parks.  Councillor Sweeney stated that the target may need amending as people were using other ways of paying for a ticket

 Resolved:    That Members note the contents of the attached report and

                        continue to monitor and challenge the Council’s performance

                        alongside its financial performance for the same period.