Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Finance and support Services submitted a report setting out the Corporate Service Plans for the civic year 2018/19.  It was noted that the Corporate Strategic Plan 2016/17 – 2019/20 was agreed by the former Corporate Business Scrutiny committee in February 2016.  The Draft Service Plans were detailed within Essential Reference Paper “B” and Members’ comments were sought for consideration by Council on 1 March 2018.  The Policy Officer provided a summary of the report in terms of the main structure changes of the Service Plans adding that the priorities aim to support the Council’s priorities.

The Committee Chairman highlighted a duplication of an action (on page 29/30).  He sought and was provided with clarification on the issue of “employee engagement”  and suggested that direct interviews with staff be organisation to gain feedback and in addition, to recording the number of page views.

Councillor Mrs Hollebon sought clarification of the action regarding “extra care housing” .  The Head of Housing and Health explain the principle around this incentive scheme and explained that Officers were exploring how this could be implemented in East Herts.

Councillor M Casey made reference to the absence of performance measures and project milestone targets.  The Head of Planning and Building control explained that the Council did have targets in relation to planning application determinations (i.e. those for major and other applications) and agreed to include these. 

Councillor N Symonds referred to parks and open spaces highlighted her concerns regarding Trinity Church Park in Bishop’s Stortford and action not taken by the developer, to improve this.  Officers agreed to investigate Members’ concerns.  Councillor G Cutting echoed Members’ concerns and urged Officers to remind the developers of their obligations.

Councillor N Symonds congratulated the Head of Benefits and Revenues and her staff in the housing benefit team  in looking after vulnerable clients.

Councillor Mrs D Hollebon referring to Licensing Policy and food hygiene law, the Head of Housing and Health explained the “Scores on Doors” Policy and agreed to remove the word “broadly” in the performance measures column. 

Members welcomed the decrease in the use of external staff for legal matters  (only used when the necessary expertise was not available) and was pleased to learn that the Council was now generating income by providing legal support to other local authorities.  

In response to a query by Councillor H Drake, the Head of Housing and Health explained that “E-Taxi” referred to an electronic vehicle.   It was noted that timescales for its introduction was anticipated to be November 2018.

The success of the “Forever Active” programme was welcomed and Members urged the need to extend such a programme with concessions  to younger people aged between 18 – 30.  Members noted that the “Active-in” programme was aimed at this democratic and Officers agreed to amend the service plan document to highlight this.

Councillor H Drake referred to the issue of sustainable transport initiatives and the need to change the people travel.  She suggested the use of shuttle buses  ...  view the full minutes text for item 367