Agenda item

A report by the Director of Finance and Support Services, setting out the Quarter 3 finance and performance position as at the end of December 2020.

The Committee is asked to examine the data and supporting commentary for the QPM report and make any relevant recommendations for action to the Cabinet Member or relevant Scrutiny Committee.

119.1  The Committee considered the Quarterly Performance Monitor (QPM) report from the Director of Finance and Support Services summarising the positions of finance, performance, risk, and workforce as at the end of December 2020 (copy appended to the signed minutes).

119.2  The Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report, supported by the Director of Finance and Support Services and the Director of HR and Organisational Development.  They highlighted that the Government had covered all additional expenditure due to Covid and therefore the projected budget overspend has now reduced to create a small underspend.  They remarked upon the volatility and lack of usual consistency during 2020/21 in the preparation of the figures, which has been challenging and is reflected in the risk report. 

119.3  The Committee made comments in relation to the QPM report including those that follow.  It:

·       Commented that the time lag in reviewing quarterly finance, performance and risk via the QPM can provide misleading or outdated information.  Highlighted the need for the Committee to review the most up to date information, with exception reporting of significant changes, and requested the process of producing and reviewing the QPM be reviewed for the next Council year.

·       Commented in relation to the key performance indicator (KPI) information that is unavailable due to being delayed, suspended, or cancelled in 2020/21.  Members understood that this is due to the effects of the Covid pandemic however were keen that monitoring information be provided as soon as possible to aid oversight and scrutiny of council services.  

·       Commented that the levels of sickness absence due to stress were notable, particularly for adults and children’s services staff who have been under significant additional pressure due to Covid and work on the improvement plan.  Encouraged the new ways of working project to consider measuring and improving the productivity of council services.

119.4  Resolved:

1)   That the Committee notes the impact of Covid-19 on the council and the non-delivery of some savings measures in 2020/21, and acknowledges that the ongoing effects on finance and performance will be seen into 2021/22;

2)   That the Committee recognise the pressures on staff over the past year, welcome the positive direction of travel, and look forward to receiving a report on the new ways of working this autumn; and

3)   That the Committee stresses the importance of scrutiny committees having the most up to date information available and requests that the process of reporting key information to Members is reviewed for the next Council year.