Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors B Long and C Manning.

To approve the minutes from the Corporate Performance Panel held on 21 July 2021.

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The minutes of the Corporate Performance Panel held on 21 July 2021 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair, subject to Councillor B Ayres being added to the list of attendees.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of an interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the Member should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

These declarations apply to all Members present, whether the Member is part of the meeting, attending to speak as a local Member on any item or simply observing the meeting from the public seating area.

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Councillor C Rose declared an interest as a Member of the Hunstanton Sailing Club.

To consider any business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chairman proposed to accept as urgent under Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

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The Chair explained why there was no urgent business.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chair of their intention to do so and on what items they wish to be heard before a decision on that item is taken.

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Councillor P Beal for item 8.

Councillor M de Whalley for items 4, 8 to 11, 16 and 17.

Councillor Mrs E Nockolds for item 8.

Councillor J Rust for items 9, 10, 16 and 17.

There was no Chair’s correspondence.

There were no call-ins.

Request from Councillor Paul Beal

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The Panel received a PowerPoint presentation from the Senior Tourism Officer, a copy of which is attached to the minutes.

The Panel was informed that the report highlighted the steady national and regional decline in traditional Tourist Information Centre (TIC) services and the lack of any clear link between an area not having a TIC and the level of tourism income to that area.  It was explained that the report also set out the new options which had been set up in Hunstanton with regards to tourism enquiries.

The Senior Tourism Officer presented the report which was in response to a request from Councillor Beal and highlighted the key issues.

The Chair commented that he appreciated the extra work put into the report following the sifting meeting and also since the agenda was published.  The presentation was not included with the Agenda, but the Senior Tourism Officer explained that it was an expansion of the report circulated with the Agenda.  The Chair asked if it was therefore possible for Democratic Services to circulate the presentation after the meeting and added that it would have been useful to look at figures prior to meeting as questions may well arise from a closer examination of them.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor de Whalley addressed the Panel and the Senior Tourism Officer responded in relation to questions regarding a staffed TIC as a unique selling point to promote tourism in Hunstanton.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor Mrs E Nockolds addressed the Panel and stated that she considered the report to be an excellent report and added that she was aware of the increase in the number of website visitors.  Councillor Nockolds commented that she herself was personally a fan of Tourist Information Centres (TICs) and provided an overview of the arrangements which had been put in place during the Pandemic.  Councillor Nockolds also informed the Panel of the many different ways tourist information was available, for example, leaflets in Bed and Breakfast/hotel accommodation and from the Tourism Information Points in the Oasis and other venues within the Borough.  Councillor Nockolds advised that the staff located at the Oasis had received training to provide specific tourist information to visitors.  In conclusion, Councillor Nockolds commented that all businesses, etc in Hunstanton were ambassadors to promote tourism in Hunstanton and emphasised the importance of information being available on line and via leaflets, etc.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor Rust addressed the Panel and highlighted the importance of information being available not just on the website, but alternative ways such as libraries, as there were a number of people who did not have access to online services.   In response to further questions from Councillor Rust, the Senior Tourism Officer explained that prior to the Pandemic, the TIC in King’s Lynn moved to and merged with the Stories of Lynn, which provided a walk in advice service, and a variety of tourist information for the whole  ...  view the full minutes text for item CP38

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The Panel received a presentation (copy attached to the agenda) from the Assistant Director, Programme and Project Delivery (Commercial and Housing).

The Assistant Director, Programme and Project Delivery (Commercial and Housing). responded to questions and comments in relation to:

·         Officers having membership of Institute of Procurement.

·         New Trainee – to graduate upon completion with relevant qualification.

·         Towns Fund – civil work contracts.

·         Major Projects, for example, Enterprise Zone.

·         Major Housing project.

·         Competence and skills held by current in-house team.

·         Working with partners on important services for the Borough.

·         Sharing procurement services and expertise.

·         Procurement activity.

·         Contract management and multi-discipline approach.

·         Breckland hosted service proposal.

·         Issues for procurement strategy.

·         Borough Council’s contract process.

·         Lists for preferred suppliers.

·         Recognition of a climate emergency by the council and the impact on requirements for the contract tender process and potential burden to businesses submitting bids for work with the council.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor de Whalley addressed the Panel and asked what measures had been put in place to ensure that procurement was resilient to the effect of Climate Change.  In response, the Assistant Director provided examples of environmental enhancements included within the Parkway housing development contract, and an overview of the monitoring procedures in place for projects.

The Chair thanked the Assistant Director for the presentation.

RECOMMENDATION:  That the update report be noted.

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In presenting the report, the Assistant to the Chief Executive reminded Members that a Covid-19 Recovery Strategy was agreed by Council on 8 October 2020.  The report, therefore provided an update on the corporate performance monitoring indicators for the Recovery Strategy for the 2021/22 year.

The key issues were outlined as set out in the report.

The Panel’s attention was drawn to the following performance indicators:

·         1.8 - % of Business Rates collected against target (cumulative).

·         2.2 – number in employment claiming Universal Credit.

·         2.4 – % of rent arrears on industrial units.

·         2.5 - % of rent achievable on retail/general units.

·         3.4 – total tonnage of commercial waste.

·         4.2 – number of days to process changes of circumstances.

·         4.4 – spend on bed and breakfast accommodation.

·         5.1 – number of crime incidents within the Borough.

·         6.1 - % of Careline alarms installed within 10 days from date of enquiry.

In response to questions from Councillor Devereux on the “red areas” for example that people being supplemented with Universal Credit and the potential impact following the end of the Furlough Scheme in September, the Assistant to the Chief Executive explained that it was difficult to foresee the impact and provided an overview of the factors that could impact upon the indicators.

Councillor Morley commented that it had been an interesting debate on how the external factors could affect the council’s Corporate Business Plan and hoped that the new corporate business plan when presented to the Panel on 20 October 2021 would set out the process of delivering services which met the requirements that Councillors had identified, for example, the Direction of Travel and indicators which would set out the outcome of performance in relation to climate change, biodiversity, etc.

The Chair commented that the trends presented interesting information.

The Chief Executive added that the comments made by the Panel would be taken on board when the Corporate Business Plan and performance indicators were refreshed.

The Chair thanked the Chief Executive and Assistant to the Chief Executive for presenting the report and responding to questions and comments from the Panel.

RESOLVED:  The Panel reviewed and noted the council’s performance indicators for Q1 2021/22.  Performance against these indicators will continue to be reported to the Corporate Performance Panel via periodic updates.

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The Chair reminded the Panel that Councillors were invited to review the current Persistent Complainants Policy.

The Chief Executive introduced the report and invited the Panel to review the current policy.

Councillor Nash presented his report (copy attached to the minutes) and explained that he had brought this item to the Corporate Performance Panel on 21 July 2021 as his opinion was that the policy was not lawful.  However, the council’s Monitoring Officer had determined that the council’s current Persistent Complaints Policy was lawful.  Councillor Nash advised that he had written his own report for the Panel to consider the changes he had identified.  Councillor Nash proceeded to read his report to the Panel.  In presenting his report, Councillor Nash made reference to the 2013 Persistent Complainants Policy.  Councillor Nash outlined his proposed changes to the policy.

The Chair summarised the two points made by Councillor Nash.

Councillor Mrs Spikings asked if legal advice could be obtained on the changes proposed by Councillor Nash.

The Chair stated that the 2013 policy with proposed amendments from Councillor Nash to be brought back to the Panel for discussion and asked that the 2013 policy be circulated to Members.

Councillor Ayres commented that Councillor Nash had undertaken a lot of work on the policy and asked if legal advice could be obtained and then be brought back to the Panel in an understandable context.

Councillor Mrs Spikings concurred with the comments made by Councillor Ayres.

The Chief Executive advised that Councillor Nash would need to make it clear what exactly he wished the Panel to look at in order that legal advice could be obtained.

RESOLVED: 1) Councillor Nash to clarify what the Panel were being requested to look at in order that legal advice could be obtained.

2) Councillor Nash to circulate the 2013 policy he referred to the Panel.

3) Item to be considered by the Panel on 20 October 2021 once Members had had an opportunity to consider the changes proposed by Councillor Nash.  The Panel to be provided with the following documents in order to consider the proposed changes put forward by Councillor Nash.:

·         Current Persistent Complainants Policy.

·         2013 Current Persistent Complainants Policy.

·         Legal advice.

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It was noted that the following Cabinet Reports were currently on the Panel’s Work Programme:

20 October 2021

·         Review of the Corporate Business Plan.

·         Update to the Major Project Board Terms of Reference.

·         Exempt Report – Review of Legal Services.

To note the Panel’s work programme.

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The following two items were identified to be placed on the list of forthcoming items for the Panel to consider:

•           Presentation on the Borough Council’s vehicle fleet – types, age, asset values disposal strategy, market residual values, electric parking locations, process used mileage v consumption.

•           Review of the Council’s working structure to support the Corporate Business Plan. (Organisational chart setting out how FTE had been allocated to service areas to ensure delivery of the Corporate Business Plan).

To note that the date of the next meeting of the Corporate Performance Panel will take place on 20 October 2021.

The next meeting of the Corporate Performance Panel will be held on 20 October 2021.

To consider passing the following resolution:

“That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act”.

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RESOLVED:  That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

The Assistant Director, Property and Projects provided a verbal update and responded to questions and comments from the Panel.

The Chair thanked the Assistant Director for the update.

RESOLVED:  The update report be noted and the published set of accounts for NWES for the year ending 31 March 2020 be circulated to the Panel.

Councillor Rose, the Borough Council’s appointed observer provided an annual update to the Panel.

The Chair thanked Councillor Rose for his annual report as the Borough Council’s appointed observer.