Agenda item

That the following aspects of the report be noted:

  I.  Performance and Project management

  II.  Staff Appraisals management

  III.  Safeguarding Training management

  IV.  Customer Services - Duty Desk Review 

  V.  Financial performance – revenue and capital

The Cabinet considered the Council’s performance between 1^st April – 30^th June, 2010 against the following key areas:

• Performance Monitoring against the corporate balanced score card and the LAA balanced score card
• Projects Management monitoring
• Staff Appraisals update
• Safeguarding training update
• Customer Services review
• Revenue and Capital monitoring position to July 2010.

The Director of Improvement and Development outlined the key issues for Members arising out of the Performance Monitoring and Project Management update.  Members were advised of the actions being undertaken to increase the number of appraisals completed and to carry out a qualitative audit of appraised reports.  The report set out the action being taken to review current Customer Service performance and made recommendations for an operating model for the future with the aim of improving service delivery for residents and service users. 

The Director of Resources outlined the Council’s revenue budget position as at 31 July 2010.  Month on Month variances for each Directortae were set out in the report along with emergency issues/risks and opportunities and progress against agreed savings.  The Director of Resources gave an assurance in answer to a question that the Spanish economy would be kept under close scrutiny but in order to safeguard the Council’s investment new deposits with Santander had been suspended.

The capital programme was currently under review and the outcome of any changes and the impact on the current year would be reported to members. 

Members of the Cabinet welcomed the report and the level of detail it provided on the Council’s performance and finances for the 1^st Quarter.  Members present under rule 30 asked a number of questions with regard to proposed reductions in social workers.  The Leader advised that very careful consideration had been given to the savings that had been proposed.  The ratio of Social Workers/case loads had improved and CMT received a regular update report.  The posts that had been deleted were temporary posts funded by one-off money allocated to fund the particular pressure.  The Council was faced with making very difficult choices and the service could continue to be provided at a safe level. 

Resolved - That the following aspects of the report be noted:

  i.  Performance and Project management

  ii.  Staff Appraisals management

  iii.  Safeguarding Training management

  iv.  Customer Services - Duty Desk Review

  v.  Financial performance – revenue and capital.