Issue - meetings

The Director of Finance and Support Services submitted an exception report on finance and performance monitoring for the period October 2013 to January 2014.

The Director of Finance and Support Services provided a summary in terms of performance and where targets had not been met.  It was noted that, in relation to EHPI 2.2 (Waste: missed collections per 100,000 collections of household waste), this had been reported as over target at 57.28 for January 2014 but was 30.42 for February 2014 and so was now back within target.  It was noted that the matter had already been reviewed by Environment Scrutiny Committee, who were satisfied that the performance figures fell within those expected for such a significant change to the service.  The Director of Finance and Support Services provided updates in relation to other performance targets.

In response to a query from Councillor J Mayes regarding EHPI 12a (No. of short term sickness absence days per FTE staff in post) and EHPI 12c (Total number of sickness absence days per FTE staff in Post), the Director of Finance and Support Services summarised the factors which affected these targets.

Councillor S Bull referred to the fact that there seemed to be a number of discarded plastic recycling boxes around.  The Director of Finance and Support Service stated that she would ask the Head of Service to write to the Member regarding the advice for reuse or disposal of these boxes.

Councillor J Wing commented on the reduction in the anticipated investment and car parking incomes.  The Director of Finance and Support Services stated that car park income depended on usage.  She assured the Member that the Council would do all it could to ensure that the car parks remained accessible, although noted that one had closed for a short time for refurbishment.  In response to his query concerning investment income, the Director of Finance and Support Services stated that a number of assumptions had been made last year which had resulted in a positive variance of £500,000.  This was now being used to offset the current negative variance generated by lower than predicted interest rates.  She assured the Member that every effort was being made to secure the best rates of interest in relation to the Council’s investments but this does depend on the rates available within the market.

In response to a query from Councillor T Page regarding the management of cash assets, the Director of Finance and Support Services outlined the role of the Council’s Investment Panel and Treasury Management Strategy and sources of independent advice upon which the Council relied.

Councillor T Page referred to Development Management income and the suggestion that ‘larger fees’ were being paid in Buntingford and Hertford.  The Director of Finance and Support Services said that she would ask the Head of Service to provide a written response. 

Councillor T Page raised the issue the movement in income levels for recycling income from other bodies   The Director of Finance and Support Services said that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 619