Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors N Daubney, Lord Howard and D Gates – Executive Director.

To approve the minutes from the Corporate Performance Panel held on 20 February 2017.

The minutes from the Corporate Performance Panel held on 20 February 2017 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

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.

There was no urgent business.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chairman of their intention to do so and on what items they wish to be heard before the meeting commences.  Any Member attending the meeting under Standing Order 34 will only be permitted to speak on those items which have been previously notified to the Chairman.

There were no Members present under Standing Order 34.

There was no Chairman’s Correspondence.

Please be advised that Matthew Henry, Property Services Manager will be present to answer any questions relating to rent arrears on industrial estates/retail/general units.

Duncan Hall, Housing Services Manager will be present to give a presentation and answer any questions on Homes in Multiple Occupation.

The Policy, Performance and Personnel Manager reminded the Panel that the Corporate Performance Monitoring Report was in place to monitor progress against agreed performance indicators for the year. 

Members were advised that 42 performance indicators for 2016/17 had been agreed by Portfolio Holders and Executive Directors as the key performance measures for the year.  The monitoring report highlighted specific performance issues; where indicators had not met agreed targets they were drawn out into an Action Report, which provided additional detail on what actions were being taken to correct performance that had a variance to target.

It was explained that the Quarter 3 monitoring report showed that 48% of targets had been met, and performance had improved against target for 12 indicators during the quarter.

The Vice-Chairman, Councillor Beal explained why the Property Services Manager and the Housing Services Manager had been invited to attend

The Property Services Manager provided an overview of the property portfolio and provided details of specific tenants on industrial estates/retail units who made late payments causing arrears.

In response to questions relating to indicators CO4 and C06, the Property Services Manager explained that in 2009 he took a report to Cabinet requested greater flexibility to deal with tenants regarding rent arrangements.

In response to questions regarding the rates revaluation exercise, the Chief Executive advised that the business rates would reduce in King’s Lynn and therefore not be detrimental to national or individual businesses located in the town centre.  It was noted that single traders under the value of £12,000 were not required to pay business rates.

The Leader, Councillor commented that overall the business rates in the town centre and the BID was reduced therefore the business rates payable would be reduced.  He added that some business would benefit from the revaluation and ensure stability to remain in King’s Lynn.  It would be necessary for BID to adjust their spending accordingly.

In response to questions on reconciliation of accounts in relation to rent payments to the Borough, the Property Services Manager explained that he had a meeting with the Council’s finance team week commencing 27 March to discuss the profiling of invoices and the reconciliation of accounts.

The Property Services Manager responded to questions regarding the deposits paid, schedule of conditions of the property when commencing the tenancy and a schedule of dilapidations when the tenancy ceased.  It was noted that some tenants used the deposit to offset any rent arrears.

The Property Services Manager responded to questions from the Panel on the leasing of the kiosks on The Promenade, Hunstanton.

Following questions on bailiffs being used to recover rent arrears, the Property Services Manager explained that a company was employed by the Borough Council to carry out any required civil enforcement action.  It was noted that prior to any civil enforcement action being undertaken, tenants would receive a telephone call and issued with a final reminder letter to the effect that if payment was not made, bailiffs would be instructed to recover the arrears  ...  view the full minutes text for item CP89

The Panel received a presentation of the work undertaken regarding the Safeguarding Policy (a copy of which is attached to the minutes).

In presenting the report, the Policy, Performance and Personnel Manager reminded Members that in the spring of 2016 Cabinet agreed an update to the Child Protection Policy which was required to ensure the Council continued to meet its statutory responsibilities with regards to safeguarding children and young people from potential harm and abuse, as well as protecting itself, its staff and elected Members.

The Policy, Performance and Personnel Manager explained that as part of that Cabinet report it was noted that a review of the potential to introduce an overarching ‘Safeguarding’ policy, incorporating elements of both child and adult protection, would be undertaken.  It was noted that this work had now been undertaken, to gain an appreciation of the proposed content of the new policy and to ensure that Members were content that all relevant factors had been taken into consideration in the drafting of the new policy.

The Panel was informed that the key factors which were taken into consideration during the review were:

·         Relevant legislation, in particular, the need to reflect the introduction of the Care Act 2014.

·         Any changes to process/best practice.

·         Members wish to ensure that the Council’s duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children is appropriately reflected in contracts, leases and licences.

The Policy, Performance and Personnel Manager explained that at the start of the review there were two options:

·         To create a combined Safeguarding Policy – covering both child and adult protection issues.

·         To create a new ‘Adult Safeguarding Policy’ to operate alongside the existing Child Protection Policy.

Members were informed that as a result of the review undertaken, the decision had been to produce one combined ‘Safeguarding Policy.’ This was because the range of topics to be covered for both areas was broadly the same.

The Panel was invited to:

·         Input on areas of potential concern to ensure that these were addressed within the new Policy.

·         Feedback on the need for training on their roles and responsibilities with regard to safeguarding.

The Policy, Performance and Personnel Manager responded to questions in relation to:

·         Member and Officer responsibilities.

·         How to identify individuals requiring care.

·         The need to identify vulnerable people.

·         Borough Council assisting third parties to develop their own policy/adopted the Council’s policy.

·         Members training

RESOLVED:  1) Members noted the content of the presentation/report.

2) Safeguard training to be scheduled for Members.

To note the Committee’s Work Programme for 2017/2018.

The Panel noted the Work Programme for 2017/2018.

To note that the date of the next meeting of the Corporate Performance Panel will take place on Wednesday 7 June 2017 at 6.00 pm.

The next meeting of the Corporate Performance Panel will be held on Wednesday 7 June 2017.