Issue - meetings

To consider the attached report.

The Executive Board had considered a report seeking to progress the adoption of the Council’s Departmental Service Plans for 2009-2012 as a basis for action and performance monitoring. A copy of the Service Plans had been circulated to Council Members in CD Rom format for information.

Councillor Hodgkinson asked the following question in relation to the service plans;

“Improving health is a major priority for Halton and Key Area of Focus no 5 in the Corporate Plan states that we are ‘actively managing the environmental factors detrimental to health.”

“This action is addressed in the Environmental and Regulatory Services Plan, but only contaminated land issues are mentioned. Air pollution which can cause lung and other diseases is not mentioned. Although visible air pollution has decreased significantly in recent decades, problems associated with industry and traffic remain.”

“How is Halton actively managing air pollution?”

In response it was advised that the Local Authority had been required to carry out an investigation regarding the potential effects from air pollution and DEFFRA had published the findings from this on their website. 

            It was noted that air quality objectives had been achieved and a more detailed assessment was underway in the area of Widnes Town Centre.  It was also reported that emission monitoring was the responsibility of the specific plant operators.

            RESOLVED: That

(1)               this set of advanced draft Service Plans be received; and

(2)               the decision of the Executive Board to delegate to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, authority to make any final amendments and adjustments that may be required, and to approve the final service plans, be supported.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director – Corporate and Policy regarding the adoption of the Council’s Departmental Service Plans for 2009-2012 as a basis for action and performance monitoring.

It was noted that Departmental Service Plans sat within an established planning framework and were central to the Council’s Performance Management arrangements. They provided a clear statement on what individual services were planning to achieve, particularly in terms of service objectives and performance indicators, and how this contributed to the corporate priorities of the Council. They were an essential tool for making key decisions about future service provision and the level of resources required.

It was noted that, as final year-end performance information became available, future targets for both national and local performance indicators may require some revision. Following the approval of the budget by full Council in March, budgetary statements would be inserted into plans. Any revisions that were necessary as a result of this approval would be incorporated before plans were finalised. In addition, service plans were subject to ongoing discussion to ensure that they were of the highest quality and met organisational requirements. This may result in some minor refinement, for example of “Smart” target/key milestone data.

Reasons for Decision

Departmental Service Plans were central to the Council’s Performance Management arrangements. As such, it was necessary for them to be approved before the start of the new financial year in order that the effective monitoring of progress could take place.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None.

Implementation Date

1^st April 2009.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       this set of advanced draft service plans be received; and

(2)            authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to make any final amendments and adjustments that may be required and to approve the final Service Plans.