Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Finance and Support Services updated the Executive on progress against corporate strategic plan priorities for the previous year.  The draft annual plan for 2017/18 showed progress against what had been achieved with detailed comments from Officers.  Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ of the report submitted contained updates on all the key actions and Essential Reference Paper ‘C’ updated all the key performance indicators.

The Performance, Audit and Governance Scrutiny Committee, at its meeting held on 22 May 2018, had considered this report and had recommended it to the Executive.

Councillor G Williamson Jones moved, and Councillor S Rutland-Barsby seconded, a motion that the report be noted.  After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

The Executive noted the report.

RESOLVED – that progress against corporate strategic plan priorities over 2017/18 be noted.

The Executive Member for Finance and Support Services submitted a report updating Members on the progress made against corporate strategic plan priorities for the previous year and to seek Members’ views on a draft plan for approval by the Executive.  The Policy Officer provided a summary of the report and highlighted some of the actions achieved. 

Councillor D Oldridge, queried KA23 (support Ward Councillors to facilitate super-fast broadband in rural areas) and asked whether the scope could be widened to include local MPs.  The Policy Officer explained the positive work already undertaken by the Executive Member for Environment and the Public Realm and Oliver Heald MP.  The Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy explained a revised approach by some broadband providers who had decided to concentrate on more lucrative contracts but that things were now moving in the right direction.

Officers provided an update in relation to KA58 (Review of Business start-up provision) and specifically Launch Pad in Bishop’s Stortford which had had 50 start ups in the last six months. 

Officers advised that a new website had been designed (KA25 implementation of a new website) and that this was now down to 500 pages and should take three clicks at most to access information being searched.  This had increased user satisfaction levels to 42%.   Councillor D Oldridge said that it had taken four clicks to access this evening’s meeting information.  He asked if there was a way to simplify this.  Councillor D Oldridge also asked what progress was being made toward more e-newsletter type communications delivery referencing Ware Town Council’s success in this matter.  The Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy explained that this was under continual review and that Officers were exploring an “e-news” letter provider.

Councillor L Radford queried KA42 (increase domestic recycling) and queried whether there had been a drop in recycling with more going to landfill or whether people were being more careful at the point of purchase.  The Policy Officer explained that the total amount of waste had reduced and that there was the possibility that people were being more careful at the point of purchase.

The Committee Chairman congratulated officers on their efforts to process housing benefit new claims and changed circumstances (KA15) which was now down to 7.6 days.

The Committee Chairman expressed his concern at the lack of progress in relation to the procure replacement kiosks for payment in the customer service centres (KA27).  The Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy provided an update and explained that some machines needed updating but that this was still under review.

Councillor A Alder queried working arrangements with partners to assist customers through the Universal Credit transition (KA18) and queried what liaison was carried out with officers in other authorities in relation to licensing issues.    The Policy Officer explained that generally, there was a view by officers that there would be a low take-up of Universal Credit assistance initially, but that this may pick up as more users were transitioned over to Universal Credit.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33