Agenda item

(Indicative timing 2.05pm – 2.45pm)

Performance Monitoring

The Management Information Analyst gave a brief overview of the areas of success and challenge as outlined in the report.

Members raised a number of questions, which were responded to as follows:

·       With reference to the highways’ safety inspections, the Panel would be provided with details of the number of claims which were made against the Council annually and the cost of dealing with these.

·       A new graph had been provided on potholes. The Panel was reminded of the timescales for categories of defect repairs. The information was based on the statistics contained in the weekly report received from Ringway. It was noted that timescales were based on when Ringway received the defect report, rather than when the Council was notified of a defect.

·       A query was raised as to how the figures on potholes under public enquiries (PEM’s) tallied with the overall pothole figures. The Head of Highways Operations explained that the potholes reported via PEM’s represented about a quarter of the overall total, with the Highways Inspectors reporting the bulk of the remainder. The Chairman asked that this be confirmed following the meeting and also that information be provided to demonstrate both routes.

·       The Panel was informed that defects with manhole covers were usually a Severn Trent matter. The Council’s Inspectors would raise the defect directly with Severn Trent and then monitor the situation to ensure the work was completed. If a dangerous situation arose, the Council would close off that section of road until urgent repairs were completed.

·       Members were pleased to note that the recent additional investment had contributed to a noticeable improvement in the condition of the county’s roads and footways.

·       A Member raised a query about waste collection in respect of the kilogram per head of population or household calculations used by the County Council and District Council’s to produce their data. The Assistant Director confirmed that clarification would be provided on this matter following the meeting.

·       The positive reduction in spend on street lighting had been achievable through the roll-out of LED’s. The Council had agreed to an accelerated LED programme which should be completed in the next 18 months.

·       Referring to street lighting data which the Panel had been provided with outside of the meeting, concern was expressed at the reduced percentage of repairs completed on time for certain categories and they were keen to know what action was being taken. A query was also raised regarding the lack of inspections of completed jobs referred to in the data. The Assistant Director advised that these issues would be followed up and responses provided.

·       The Panel was pleased to see that the days taken to complete a Section 278 agreement had been significantly reduced, although there was further progress to be made. The Strategic Director commented that an improved working relationship and effective communication with developers had been a key factor in this progress being achieved. This was anticipated to be developed further going forward.

·       The Strategic Director advised that there would be a report to Cabinet in the Autumn for handling road closures and the costs which would be applied. A key frustration caused to the public by advance road closures in preparation for utility works was highlighted.

·       It was noted that the number of public rights of way (PROW) reports was reducing overall, but a query was raised as to the prioritisation of the reports and the approach to dealing with the backlog. Officers would provide this information following the meeting.

·       Members were pleased at the activity of the volunteer groups and the numbers of reports they were able to resolve. The Panel asked for an update on how this successful initiative was looking to be expanded.

·       The number of definitive map modification orders (DMMO’s) outstanding on the register had previously been raised and discussed by the Economy and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel. The Strategic Director agreed to talk to the Council’s Solicitors about how this matter could be taken forward.

In-Year Budget Monitoring

The Deputy Chief Finance Officer advised the Panel that for this year-end financial update, the figures still included details for both economy and environment, but that for the next Panel meeting the data would be split and this Panel would only receive financial information specific to the remit of the Panel.

The Panel was advised that the outturn was just under £0.25m, subject to external audit which was currently taking place. This was a favourable outcome, compared to figures during the year and had resulted from the hard work of the Directorate in focusing on mitigating any overspends and looking at ways of generating additional income whilst still continuing to deliver services.

The Economy and Infrastructure Directorate had a savings target of £1.3m from 2020/21 and capitalisation targets of £3m to deliver this year, both of which had been delivered. The Deputy Finance Officer explained that there had been a detailed review of every budget area and time spent, to ensure that capitalisation of costs was implemented wherever appropriate.

The total capital programme was £150m for 2021/22, and the Panel was informed that £95m had been spent, with £55m being carried forward to the next financial year, with a number of schemes being reprofiled. This carry forward would be added to the £42m already allocated for next year.

During Members question time, the following points were clarified:

·       The Deputy Chief Finance Officer advised that the £700k saving on waste management had resulted from significant additional income in the trade waste service, from a reduced demand for the reactive services such as street cleaning due to lock downs and also from reduced overheads in the pollution control service which had led to more effective service delivery.

·       The Assistant Director explained the difference between the headings of Major Contracts and Contracts and Structures, with the former being mostly capitalised work relating to large contracts and the latter being the revenue costs of managing large contracts and some overheads associated with that.