Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Cope and Councillor Smith.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 4 September 2023.

It was moved by Councillor Williams, seconded by Councillor Weightman and

                        RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 4 September                    be approved as a correct record.

No interests were declared.

To provide members with a summary of the data for the second quarter of the Performance and Risk Management Framework

Members were updated on work that had been undertaken on the performance and risk management framework for quarter two for 2023/24.

In a response to a question from members around staff sickness and evidence of pressure of work, it was confirmed that although the stress absence figures were higher than last year this related to personal stress as well as work stress. Members were advised there were a number of initiatives available to support staff.

In response to a question from members around the percentage debt reduction in rent arrears and not wanting the most vulnerable sector of society to get into any more arrears and feel supported, it was reported that additional resources had been allocated to try and help manage that pressure and we had a welfare support service in place.

As a result of questions from members around fly tipping, shortage of skip hire, food waste and recycling, it was confirmed that:

·         HBBC had no jurisdiction to pressure Leicestershire County Council to keep the tips open;

·         The team would be launching the food waste collection and measures to drive up recycling even more as this collection had to be introduced by 2025. The financial indications were yet to be worked through but the advice from central Government was that the Authority would be reimbursed for introducing that service. Members would be fully briefed on the changes to food waste collections as the team move forward with their plans for the next 12 months.

It was moved by Councillor Williams seconded by Councillor Weightman and

                        RESOLVED:

i.              The report be noted, and

ii.                  Members reviewed the risks that posed the most significant threat to the council’s objectives and priorities.

To update members on the performance of the Planning service.

Members were updated on the performance of the planning service that included development management, planning enforcement, regeneration/economic development, conservation/heritage and planning policy.

Members acknowledged the increase in planning performance, the improvement in retention and recruitment across the service and forthcoming challenges incurred with regard to planning appeals.

As a result of a question from members it was confirmed that the five year land supply was currently being updated by external consultants and the figures were likely to be ready at the end of January/February 2024.

As a result of a question from members around the Local Plan it was confirmed that a local development scheme would be produced and an update be provided to members in January 2024.

A question was also asked about the ombudsman’s report and it was confirmed that there had been an issue with an address, this was subsequently resolved and full consultation had taken place with the other neighbours.

Members thanked the team for their performance in achieving these targets overall.

Members noted the report and recommendations.

To present to members the financial outturn position as at September 2023.

The finance outturn position for the second quarter of 2023/24 was presented to the meeting. During discussion, the following was noted:

·         Planning income was down due a slight downturn of applications being received and there was a prospect that, based on past years, larger applications would be coming in at the end of the financial year

·         The leisure centre was exploring installation of solar panels and their management may be reduced to support this expenditure

·         As a result of the crematorium project being paused to explore alternative options, the expenditure incurred to date with the prior contractor could no longer be carried forward as an asset and therefore the expenditure had been charged to the general fund.

Members noted the report.

To inform members of the Council’s treasury management activity in the second quarter of 2023/24.

Members were informed of the council’s treasury management activity in the second quarter of 2023/24.

Members noted the report.

To inform members of the business rates performance from 1 April - 30 September 2023.

Members were informed of the business rates performance from 1 April 2023 to 30 September 2023.

Members noted the report.

To inform members of the position on sundry debts as at 30 September 2023.

Members were presented with the positon on sundry debts as at 30 September 2023.

As a result of a question from members around disputes, it was confirmed that some disputes could take a long time to deal with from the initial debt to the instalment plan. It was agreed that it would be useful to include the average number of days for these disputes as a performance indicator target in the performance and risk management plan.

Members noted the report.

To provide members with an update of the work programme.

Members noted the work programme.