Agenda item

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources outlining performance against the current agreed indicators for the period April 2014 to March 2015 in relation to the Council’s Corporate Plan 2014-17.

Councillor Norman presented the Council’s Annual Corporate Performance report which showed progress against the current agreed indicators for the period April 2014 to March 2015 in relation to the Council’s Corporate Plan 2014-17.

Members discussed the following matters:-

1.       A Member queried why fly tipping reported by Officers had reduced, when the incidents of fly tipping reported by the public had risen.  Councillor Norman believed this was because residents were looking out for fly tipping and reporting any incidents as soon as they became apparent.

2.       A Member noted that some of the dates in the report were incorrect.  The Head of Business Improvement agreed to change them.

3.       A Member queried the viability of the graph on Council Tax Collection on page 59 of the report.  Councillor Norman acknowledged the Member’s comment.

4.       A Member observed that the ‘Neet’ rate on page 69 was below target although it was shown in the RAG rating as being green.

5.       A Member questioned the fact that no consultations had used the Gov Metric system as shown on page 86.  The Head of Business Improvement agreed to check this.

6.       A Member asked why data on Community Builders shown on page 95 was being collected as it did not fall under the remit of the Council.  The Head of Business Improvement advised the Member that the initiative was part funded by the City Council.  The Member replied that the link between Community Builders and the Council should be made clearer.  Councillor Norman acknowledged the Member’s point.

7.       A Member noted the data for Twitter interactions set out in ‘Listening to our residents’ on page 75 and commented that Twitter was not a ‘listening’ tool.  The Head of Business Improvement responded that Twitter was used to raise awareness of service issues and availability.

8.       A Member commented on the drop in the number of vacant retail units for quarters 3 and 4, as evidenced on page 71 of the report.

9.       A Member asked for an update on plans for the cladding of the King’s Walk Car Park as detailed on page 78 of the report.  Councillor Norman explained that this work would be carried out after the Rugby World Cup, but in a different way to that originally envisaged because of budgetary constraints.

10.     A Member commented on the red RAG rating for new affordable housing as depicted on page 103 of the report.  The Head of Business Improvement indicated that the target of 40% was a national one and that in the current economic climate it was difficult for Gloucester to improve its position. 

11.     A Member noted that only 4.3% of staff participated in the Employee Volunteer Scheme shown on page 97 of the report and speculated whether staff had enough flexibility or time to volunteer.  Councillor Norman responded that the scheme would be reviewed and re-launched.  He added that he was confident that the new Managing Director would be supportive of staff involvement.

The Chair thanked Councillor Norman for his presentation.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.