Agenda item

Report of the Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development

The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development presented the report to Members.

Comments were made on the presentation of the data within the report and a concern regarding lack of clarity due to the type of wording used, in some key performances areas it seemed that the Council was failing.  It was felt that the format could be misleading and did not provide the full picture of the progress.  After a full discussion, it was put to the vote and formally recommended that Cabinet amend the presentation of the performance data as detailed in the recommendations below.

In relation to the transformation projects, it was acknowledged that the parking review had been completed with no changes implemented. Due to the amount of officer time spent on the project,it was suggested that a review be undertaken to understand the lessons learned to avoid the misuse of funds and officer time in the future.  This was noted by the Strategic Director of Resources. . Following further questions regarding the transformation projects and the request for more clarity, Members were informed that as the projects progressed into the rest of the financial year, more information would be available in future reports.

A discussion was had on the Clean and Green Key Performance Indicators and concerns were raised that the benchmarking and target setting were not yet completed.  Although it was explained that the delay was due to a piece of work yet to be undertaken before Cabinet could set a target date, and that more information would be available when a report was brought to Committee in November, some Members felt that the matter needed addressing urgently as the Council needed clear annual targets.  It was put to the vote and formally recommended that Cabinet undertake the benchmarking and target setting in relation to Key Performance Indicator 13 (we will aim to be carbon zero by 2030 and as a district by 2050) as soon as possible. 

A Member felt that Key Performance Indicator 14 (We will increase the biodiversity of our district), was quoted incorrectly in the report as it seemed the wrong target was being measured, it was suggested that officers investigate.

It was highlighted by a Member that there was no reference within the report to Local Government Reorganisation which was currently underway.  The Strategic Director of Resources explained that work had begun, and the Medium-Term Financial Strategy would be focused on the next two to three years rather than five years.  It was also confirmed that a report regarding the proposals to become a debt free council that was made at the full council meeting earlier in the month by the administration, would be brought to the Committee in September.

Several questions of clarity were asked by Members and responses provided by officers.

RECOMMENDED THAT CABINET:

a)       To ensure clarity of the information being presented, consider the following amendments to the performance report:

i)     Amend the labels connected to the red and green progress of KPI’s in the bar charts from ‘complete’ and ‘not complete’ to ‘compliant with KPI’s’ and ‘not compliant with KPI’s’

ii)   Amend the format of the progress of KPI information, to make it easier to understand, including moving away from stacked bar graphs and providing details alongside statements.

b)        In relation to KPI 13 (we will aim to be carbon zero by 2030 and as a district by 2050), the benchmarking and target setting be completed as soon as possible.