Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor L Mullaney.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 28 March 2022.

It was moved by Councillor Williams, seconded by Councillor Webber-Jones and

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 28 March 2022 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

No interests were declared at this meeting.

To provide members with an annual update report and presentation on the performance of Hinckley Leisure Centre for the period April 2021 – March 2022, under the operation of Places Leisure.

Members were updated on the annual report and presentation on the performance of Hinckley Leisure Centre for the period April 2021 – March 2022 under the operation of Places Leisure. During presentation and discussion the following points were raised:

·         The Leisure Centre had been used as a vaccination site for the residents of the Borough

·         Places Leisure were trialling health & wellbeing programmes across the Borough

·         A Covid recovery programme had been created addressing the health implications and impacts of Covid

Councillor Hollick entered the meeting at 18.43.

Members congratulated the team and thanked them for their invaluable work that had been carried out throughout the pandemic.

In response to a question from members around the cost of living crisis and how it had impacted on attendance figures and budgets, it was confirmed that it was an ongoing concern for the Leisure Centre.

In response to a question from members around activities in the community using satellite venues to encourage people that wouldn’t normally come into Hinckley to take part, it was confirmed that outreach work was ongoing working with parish councils and village halls to get the classes out to the wider community.

Members noted the report.

To provide members with an update presentation from Director of Corporate Services

Members were provided with a presentation on the performance and risk management data provided for 2022. During presentation and discussion the following points were raised:

·         Covid and lockdown had an impact on the delivery of the performance indicators

·         No new risks were added to the corporate risk register

·         One corporate risk was closed that had been linked to brexit

·         Two corporate risks were changed to net risk level

·         Increase in staff sickness - sickness working days lost had increased from 8 to 12.69

In response to a question regarding the increase in working days lost to sickness it was confirmed that the authority had an increase in long term absences and all these cases were being managed by the sickness management framework. It was reported that it was doubtful that the authority would get back to the figure of 8 working days lost and would now be working towards 10 working days lost. A member queried whether homeworking was having an impact on staff’s mental wellbeing as it had limited their ability to engage with others. It was confirmed that this was being kept under review and management were actively encouraging staff to come into the workplace for team days.

In response to a question from members around the performance of the planning team it was confirmed that a separate review had been commissioned by the Scrutiny Commission on the Planning service and a report would be presented to the Scrutiny Commission on its findings.  It was confirmed that management would be considering any issues that came out of the work of the working group. Planning performance targets were also included within the presentation which showed a positive direction of travel.

The report was noted.

To inform members of the position on sundry debts as at 31 March 2022.

Members were updated on the position in relation to sundry debts as at 31 March 2022 and noted the current aged debt position for sundry debts. It was also noted that a report would follow at the next meeting on the action being taken on the recovery of estates debt.

Members noted the report.

To inform members of the treasury management activity in Quarter 4 of 2021/22.

Members were updated of the position on treasury management and noted the latest position at quarter 4 2021/22.

Members noted the report.

To report on activities within Street Scene Services.

Members were updated on the street scene activity for the financial year 2021/22 which included waste management, green spaces, clean neighbourhoods and car parks. During discussion the following points were raised:

·         Waste management had experienced a very difficult year and there had been significant disruption to that service due to the national shortage of HGV drivers

·         Recycling figures had increased

·         Fly-tipping figures had reduced by 39.5%

·         Green Spaces team had created 6 new tiny forests with the help of community volunteers and planted 4443 trees in total

·         The first electric vehicle charging points had been installed and in the first 11 months of operation they were used 1323 times.

In response to a question from members about recycling performance it was confirmed that HBBC had increased its recycling rate from 43.9% 2019/2020 to 44.8% 2020/2021 and was now the second highest performer in Leicestershire. However this was below the Government’s target of 50% by 2020 and DEFRA resources waste strategy target of 65% by 2025 (this included food waste collection). It was confirmed that separate food waste collections would get us on the way to achieving our target of 65%.

Members noted the report.

To inform members of the work programme for the following year 2022/23.

Members were presented with the Finance & Performance Scrutiny work programme for 2022/2023 and it was confirmed that quarterly performance and risk reports would be re-instated.

Members noted the work programme for 2022/2023.