SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (CORPORATE RESOURCES)
MINUTES of an extraordinary meeting held on 25th February, 2008.
Present: Councillor H.J.W. James (Chairman); Councillor Mrs. C.V.L. Clay (Vice-Chairman); Councillors Mrs. S.M. Bagstaff, Mrs. J.E. Charles, M.R. Harvey, Mrs. M. Kelly Owen, B.I. Shaw and K.R. Stockdale.
842 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE -
These were received from Councillors Ms. L. Burnett, T.H. Jarvie, Mrs. A.J. Moore, A.G. Powell and M.R. Wilson.
843 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST -
There were no declarations received.
844 QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE MONITORING: 3RD QUARTER:
1ST OCTOBER - 31ST DECEMBER, 2007 - CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S DEPARTMENT (CX) -
Consideration was given to the information relating to the Action Plan Monitoring and Performance Indicators contained in the Quarterly Performance and Monitoring report in respect of the Chief Executive’s Department for the above period. The Head of Performance and Development referred to Performance Indicators L366 and L367. With regard to Indicator L366, it was indicated that the associated definition for this Indicator was currently subject to review to reflect website pages being available in Welsh at the first four “levels”. In respect of Indicator L367, it was proposed that the current industry standard would be adopted in relation to the criteria for the number of unique user visitors to the Council website. In the event of the industry standard being adopted, it was proposed that the 2008/09 target in relation to this matter would be amended to 14,500 by the end of the year.
Discussion ensued regarding Performance Indicator CHR4 and 5 and the Head of Service providing an explanation with regard to the current issues affecting performance in these areas.
Having regard to the above and related issues, it was
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the Quarterly Performance Monitoring report for the period 1st October - 31st December, 2007 in respect of the Chief Executive’s Department be noted.
845 QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE MONITORING: 3RD QUARTER:
1ST OCTOBER - 31ST DECEMBER, 2007 - LEGAL SERVICES (DLPPHS) -
Consideration was given to the information relating to the Action Plan Monitoring and Performance Indicators contained in the Quarterly Performance and Monitoring report in respect of Legal Services for the above period. The Head of Legal Services referred to Performance Indicators L259, L660, L661 and L663 and provided a brief resume of the issues relating to these performance areas.
The Chairman thanked the Head of Service for her report and expressed his pleasure with regard to the overall performance of the service.
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the Quarterly Performance Monitoring report for the period 1st October - 31st December, 2007 in respect of Legal Services be noted.
846 QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE MONITORING - 3RD QUARTER:
1ST OCTOBER - 31ST DECEMBER, 2007 - REGULATORY SERVICES (DLPPHS) -
Consideration was given to the information relating to the Action Plan Monitoring and Performance Indicators contained in the Quarterly Performance and Monitoring report in respect of Regulatory Services for the above period. The Operational Manager for Regulatory Services referred to Performance Indicators L243(a), PPN/005(ai) and PPN/005(biv) and provided an explanation regarding performance levels achieved to date. With regard to Indicator L243(a), there had been a change of definition which since required Pest Control Officers to be on site within five days of a service request being received. It was noted that when excluding performance information in relation to the Pest Control Service; the target of 90% was achieved in respect of other Regulatory services. With regard to Indicator PPN/005(a) and associated Indicator PPN/005(bi), the Operational Manager referred to the difficulties posed by this new Indicator given that officers were unable to predict how many businesses would commence trading. As a consequence, it was difficult to programme planned inspections of such establishments and allocate appropriate resources. The Operational Manager also referred to her concerns regarding the WAG requirement of Local Authorities to undertake the issuing of self-assessment questionnaires, in particular in respect of food hygiene and animal health establishments. The Operational Manager referred to a self-assessment exercise recently undertaken by the service in respect of Health and Safety and indicated that of 233 questionnaires sent out to establishments, only 12 responses had been received to date.
Discussion ensued with regard to changes in the Licensing Regulations and whether there had been any increase in crime as a result of the introduction of “24 hour drinking”. The Operational Manager indicated that whilst no local statistical information was currently available, this did not mean that initiatives were not being developed and implemented and within the Vale of Glamorgan itself, the service was working closely with other stakeholder organisations by sharing information and intelligence regarding potential trouble spots.
The Chairman referred to the Performance Indicators contained within the Monitoring report which were challenging and acknowledged that some of these may need to be amended given that they were outside the control of the Council.
Having regard to the above and related issues, it was
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the Quarterly Performance Monitoring report for the period 1st October - 31st December, 2007 in respect of Regulatory Services be noted.
847 QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE MONITORING: 3RD QUARTER:
1ST OCTOBER - 31ST DECEMBER, 2007 - DEMOCRATIC SERVICES (DLPPHS) -
Consideration was given to the information relating to the Action Plan Monitoring and Performance Indicators contained in the Quarterly Performance and Monitoring report in respect of Democratic Services for the above period.
The Operational Manager referred to Indicators L527 and L673. With regard to Indicator L527, the Operational Manager indicated that he was confident that long term sickness absence figures contained in the report were accurate to date and that there were currently no long term absences. In relation to L673, there had been a considerable reduction in the number of copies printed in the current year and would continue to reduce following the introduction / availability of electronic agendas and reports. A new report template would be introduced from the March cycle of meetings with reports being available for uploading to the internet post-elections in May.
Having regard to the above and related issues, it was
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the Quarterly Performance Monitoring report for the period 1st October - 31st December, 2007 in respect of Democratic Services be noted.