Agenda and minutes

            The Minutes from the meeting held on 6^th January 2015 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

            The Board was advised that no public questions had been received.

The Board was presented with the Minutes relating to the Corporate Services Portfolio which had been considered by the Executive Board since the last meeting of the Board.

RESOLVED: That the minutes be noted.

The Minutes relating to the Corporate Services Portfolio which had been considered by the Halton Strategic Partnership were presented to the Board for information.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes be noted.

Members were provided with an update on Business Planning for the period 2015-18 and were asked to consider the Directorate priorities, objectives and targets for services for this period that fell within the remit of this Policy and Performance Board (PPB).

It was reported that each Directorate developed a medium term business plan, in parallel with the budget that was subject to annual review and refresh. PPB input into the business planning process and the setting of priorities for the Directorate was an important part of this process. Key priorities for development or improvement for the various functional areas reporting to this PPB were presented to and considered by the Board in autumn 2014, from which the Draft Directorate Business Plans had been developed. Given the remit of this Board, Business Plans for Policy and Resources and the Communities Directorate were presented for consideration.

Members were informed that plans could only be finalised once budget decisions had been confirmed in March and that some target information may need to be reviewed as a result of final outturn data becoming available post March 2015.

The Board requested that their appreciation be passed onto staff for their excellent work in sometimes difficult circumstances, which was a result of the reduction in budget the Council had received.

RESOLVED: That the Draft Business Plan be received and forwarded to the Executive Board for approval.

            The Board received a report of the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources, which sought to develop a work programme of topics for the Board to examine in 2015/16.

            The Board had previously established a Topic Group which oversaw the operation of the Council’s Discretionary Support Scheme. The Group had been highly effective and provided significant guidance to the Executive Board and Officers, in relation to the delivery of the service. In addition, the Board had set up a Topic Group related to the review of Fees and Charges. This was a major piece of work that it was still in its infancy but would require significant Member and Officer commitment.

            It was felt that both Topic Groups were important to continue and would provide a sufficient work programme for Members through the next Municipal Year.

            Arising from the discussion, the Board requested the number of persons registered at Halton libraries from outside the borough.

            RESOLVED: That Members’ confirmed their support for the continuation of the Fees and Charges Topic Group and the Discretionary Support Topic Group.  

The Board received a report from the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources, which presented the Performance Monitoring Reports for Quarter 3 of 2014/15.

The reports related to the following functional areas which reported to the Board and detailed progress against service objectives and milestones, and performance targets and provided information relating to key developments and emerging issues that had arisen during the period:

·         Finance;

·         Human Resources and Organisational Development;

·         ICT and Administrative Support;

·         Legal and Democracy;

·         Policy and Performance;

·         Property Services; and

·         Catering, Stadium and Registration Services.

            Arising from the reports it was commented that:

·         the number of pre-litigation Public Liability & Employers’ Liability claims in-house up to the value of £25,000 be forwarded to Members’; and

·         a report on Widnes Market Hall be brought to the June meeting of the Board detailing occupancy rates and action that was being taken to address under occupancy and an updated rent arrears figure.   

RESOLVED:      That the third quarter performance monitoring reports be received and noted.