Issue - meetings

Report by the Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Support Services.

Each of the Scrutiny Committee Chairman will be invited to speak for up to three minutes to provide the views of their Committee on respective parts of the Quarter 2 Performance and Resources Report.

Each of the main Minority Group Leaders will be invited to speak for up to three minutes on the Quarter 2 Performance and Resources Report.

The Cabinet will then discuss the report.

Following consideration of the report the Cabinet resolved to:

1.   Note the information contained in the Quarter 2 Performance and Resources Report in Annex B,

2.   Agree the proposed updates to the Key Performance Indicator measures detailed in Annex C.

The call-in deadline is 15 December 2022.

20.1            Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Support Services. The report was introduced by Cllr Jeremy Hunt, Cabinet Member for Finance and Property who outlined the Council’s position including financial risks such as inflation, cost of energy, goods and services, continued pressure in Adults and Children’s Services and the corporate challenge of recruiting and retaining staff. A reduction in Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) rated as red was noted.

20.2             Cllr Garry Wall, Chairman of the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee noted the challenges in Adults Social Care with an ageing population with complex needs and the overarching financial situation. The Committee considered issues surrounding workforce challenges and the needs of staff in terms of support for their wellbeing. Extra financial support for the planned social care reforms would be welcome and the Committee noted the Local Government Finance Settlement was awaited. Changes to KPIs were supported by the Committee.

20.3            Cllr David Britton, Chairman of the Communities, Environment and Highways Scrutiny Committee welcomed the support for Ukrainian refugees in West Sussex, noted that the Household Support Fund will be extended until March 2023 and acknowledged the ongoing challenges with staff vacancy rates. The Committee awaited outcomes from Government on food waste collection schemes and welcomed the allocation of £17.4m from Government for the Bus Service Improvement Plan. The Committee noted that library footfall had not returned to pre-covid levels but were supportive of the work of the library service overall. At its meeting, the Committee requested further information on killed or seriously injured incidents (KPI 41).

20.4            Cllr Kevin Boram, Chairman of the Fire and Rescue Service Scrutiny Committee noted the effective operation of the Fire Service but that some KPIs have reduced, primarily due to hot weather and the deployment of resources to deal with this. The Committee noted the good progress in implementing the new policy on false fire alarms and they would continue to monitor the Community Risk Management Plan. The availability of retained firefighters continues to be a concern.

20.5            Cllr Pieter Montyn, Chairman of the Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee outlined that the Committee recognised the fast-moving national picture which has introduced uncertainty at all levels and the fact that the Local Government Finance Settlement is awaited. The Committee requested an update on the national context in relation to inflation and interest rates in the next Quarter Report. Whilst the Committee recognised the healthy level of reserves, the Dedicated Schools Grant deficit is of concern as is the risk level of the recruitment and retention of staff. Members requested further information on sickness absence and associated costs to the council.

20.6            The following points were made by Cabinet Members in discussion:

Ø  Cllr Steve Waight, Cabinet Member for Support Services and Economic Development noted the difficulty with recruitment and retention and the increased resources to help with this, and the increased risk of cyber threats and said action is being taken to manage them.

Ø  Cllr  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20

Report by the Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Support Services.

Each of the Scrutiny Committee Chairman will be invited to speak for up to three minutes to provide the views of their Committee on respective parts of the Quarter 3 Performance and Resources Report.

Each of the main Minority Group Leaders will be invited to speak for up to three minutes on the Quarter 3 Performance and Resources Report.

The Cabinet will then discuss the report prior to taking any decision.

Following consideration of the report, the Cabinet resolved to note the Q3 Performance and Resources report.

The call-in deadline is 24 March 2022.

45.1            Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Support Services. The report was introduced by Cllr Jeremy Hunt, Cabinet Member for Finance and Property who outlined progress against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and year end projections.

45.2            Cllr Stephen Hillier, Chairman of the Children and Young People’s Services Scrutiny Committee said the Committee was pleased with the continued improvement in the service particularly in areas of re-referrals, phase 2 of foster carer recruitment and early help plans. Some concerns were expressed about the increasing staff vacancy level and outcomes were awaited from the national review of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

45.3            Cllr Kevin Boram, Chairman of the Fire and Rescue Service Scrutiny Committee said the Committee continues to review the KPIs. Whilst Safe and Well visits continued to be low, the service aims to look at high risk areas and numbers were improving. A Task and Finish Group will consider the issues facing retained firefighter capacity. Delivery of the Horsham Fire Training facility continues to be reviewed by the Committee.

45.4            Cllr David Britton, Chairman of the Communities, Highways and Environment Scrutiny Committee said the Committee was supportive of the initiatives to prevent fuel poverty. KPIs of concern were highway defects and repairs and the number of road fatalities. The Committee recognised the recently announced budget increase.

45.5            Cllr Pieter Montyn, Chairman of the Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee said the Committee wants to see the best use of council assets for communities. The appointment of the new Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development was welcomed and the Committee expects to receive information on his plans in due course. Assurances were sought and received on children in care in unregulated placements. The Committee supports the rollout of gigabit butr emphasised the need to focus on rural areas. The Committee noted the red KPI around employee disclosure rates and the lower completion rate of staff induction.

45.6            Cllr Kirsty Lord, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group was concerned at the number of high risk rated KPIs, particularly in the areas of keeping people safe from vulnerable situations. Cllr Lord noted KPI 39 and the percentage of adults with a learning disability in paid employment and highlighted that voluntary roles should also be recorded. Cllr Lord noted that no further action is planned for KS2 pupils achieving the expected standard and the attainment gap of disadvantaged children although the pandemic was still having an impact. Cllr Lord noted the rise in performance in the Fire and Rescue Service.

45.7            Cllr Caroline Baxter, Leader of the Labour Group welcomed the positives in the report and highlighted concerns about the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) overspend and associated risks. Cllr Baxter has concerns about outsourcing jobs and the importance of supporting residents as a local employer. Cllr Baxter said more should be done for road safety, including expansion of the team. 

45.8            The following points were made by Cabinet Members in discussion:

Ø  Cllr Steve Waight, Cabinet  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45