Agenda item

A report by the Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Support Services setting out the corporate performance, finance, workforce, risk and capital programme positions as at the end of September 2021.

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

27.1     The Committee scrutinised the End of September 2021 (Qtr 2) Quarterly Performance and Resources report by Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Support Services (copy appended to the signed minutes).

27.2     Summary of responses to committee members questions and comments: -

·         Although the Council recognised the importance of making homes environmentally friendly, housing was the responsibility of the district and borough councils with the overall planning framework the responsibility of central government

·         The reported reduction in the Council’s carbon emissions was largely due to lower building occupancy and officers reducing their travel due to the Covid-19 situation – work was starting on a programme to embed carbon reductions in the way the Council carried out its functions going forward so that the reductions could be sustained

·         The rising costs due to inflation and pay awards was a risk that would be closely monitored

·         Although £10.1m from the covid grant was currently unallocated, there was a concern that this would not cover future costs attributed to covid – the Council was lobbying central government to allow covid grant money to be carried forward

·         One-off savings are regularly reviewed to see how and if they can be delivered, if they cannot, they will appear as growth in the following year’s budget

·         No West Sussex Children Looked After were in unregistered homes

·         Changes to the risk register can be highlighted in future reports

·         The Council is developing a programme of smarter ways of working including changes to flexible working arrangements and how to realise savings by reducing, or changing, the way buildings are used in future whilst also maintaining staff health and wellbeing as a priority

·         Economic recovery from the pandemic is a challenge - initiatives include: -

Ø  the skills accelerated programme and work with further education is helping to address the skills gap

Ø  the Research, Innovation in Sussex Excellence (RISE) project will help small and medium-sized enterprises

Ø  work around the Green Economy

·         the Fair Funding methodology when introduced would decrease the Council’s aggregate unit cost of services which was currently the second highest in its statistical group as defined by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy

·         A query was raised regarding the slippage in the Capital Programme relating to Orchard Street – Action: The Cabinet Member for Finance and Property to provide information on the property concerned

·         Following the forthcoming closure of Centenary House, Durrington, the Council’s offices are moving to Bridge House, Durrington which is being leased for five years and is in a good position geographically to provide local services

·         The Council’s offices in Littlehampton need around £1.1m spent on them before they can be used – the location of services will be reviewed towards the end of the Bridge House lease as the Council would like a presence in both Worthing and Littlehampton

·         The move from Centenary House will reduce the Council’s revenue expenditure and carbon footprint and be the main estate saving although more will come from smarter ways of working in the future

·         A new code of governance is expected shortly

·         The Council’s staff sickness rate was higher compared with the average quoted by the Office for National Statistics which is based on the whole UK workforce, rather than just a comparison of public sector figures

·         Policies are in place to keep staff fit and well including the rollout of mental health first-aiders and sickness levels are continually monitored

·         A request was made to see the breakdown of staff sickness levels by department – Action: Sue Evans to provide a breakdown of sickness rates

·         The Adult Social Care budget will come under continuing pressure so mitigating actions are very important

·         There are concerns that the Care Bill puts more emphasis on back-office work than frontline

·         The Council’s Quality Assurance Framework for Adults’ Services will direct focus where needed on Council services

·         Action: The Health & Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee to monitor the situation regarding pressure on the care market including domiciliary care waits and staff shortages

27.3     Resolved – that the committee: -

                             i.        Welcomes the format changes and additional information included in the report, particularly around the performance and workforce information

                            ii.        Expresses concern over the climate change targets and whether the Council was doing enough to reduce climate impacts and recognises the need to work in partnership with district and borough councils and the Government to influence planning requirements and guidance in future, particularly in relation to solar panels and electric vehicle charging points

                           iii.        Recognises the pressures on the Adult and Social Care budgets and welcomed the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee monitoring the situation

                          iv.        Recognises the financial pressures caused by rising inflation and also the pay award settlement that continues to be negotiated nationally

                            v.        Requests that the service transformation projects include information on the realisation of benefits and efficiencies to be achieved