Issue - meetings

The report of the Chief Executive

Presented by the Infrastructure Portfolio Holder

The Infrastructure Portfolio Holder presented the report. After setting out the progress against indicators achieved within the quarter he set out his response to the comments of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee on 29 August 2024. Guidance on sectorial best practice had been solicited as appropriate during the drafting process for the Council Delivery Plan, and there had been a number of opportunities for the Corporate Scrutiny Committee to have their input too. Therefore, there were no plans to revisit or redraft the current plan by the administration.

The Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder said that manager level vacancies in the housing department were being filled which would significantly contribute to improving responses to housing complaints, which were the highest service area contributor to the overall total of complaints.

The Business and Regeneration Portfolio Holder noted that the Coalville and District-wide Regeneration Framework indicators were both on target at this moment. Furthermore, the achievement of milestones around the commencing of regeneration projects also indicated a successful approach.

The Communities and Climate Change Portfolio Holder welcomed the development of the Tree Management Strategy and the increase in restaurants with a 5-star food hygiene rating in the district, and he expressed disappointment in the delay to the Waste Services Review due to a lack of guidance from Central Government.

The Strategic Director of Resources spoke on behalf of the Corporate Portfolio Holder. He advised that the publication of the Statement of Accounts for 2022/23 was imminent, and both these accounts and the 2021/22 accounts would receive a Value for Money opinion on 9 December 2024, in keeping with statutory requirements to resolve the backlog. Limited assurances from a recent internal audit were also a significant way towards being addressed. The appointment of a Transformation Officer was also imminent and they would focus on improving efficiencies in systems and processes.

On behalf of the Planning Portfolio Holder, the Infrastructure Portfolio Holder welcomed the fact that the determination of major, minor and other planning applications were all above target for the second quarter, whilst the progress on the good design guide continued to be made.

It was moved by Councillor K Merrie, seconded by Councillor R Blunt, and

RESOLVED THAT:

The report be noted.

Reason for decision: To make Members aware of the early progress of the Plan.