Agenda and minutes

Councillor Anthony Finn, Chairman of the Committee welcomed all attendees to the meeting. Officers confirmed that the actions agreed at the previous meeting were taken forward.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 12^th September 2017 be agreed as a correct record.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Kathy Levine who was substituted by Councillor Alison Moore.

The following interests were declared at the meeting:

None.

The Committee noted the details of the responses to the Public Questions which had been published and circulated prior to the meeting.

Mr John Dix addressed the Committee with a Public Comment in relation to Agenda Item 10 (Year Four Review of RE Contract). The Committee asked questions about the statement made which were responded to by Mr John Dix.

The Committee received a number of supplementary questions from Mr John Dix which were responded to verbally by Officers.

None.

The Chairman introduced the report and welcomed George Bruce, Head of Treasury, CSG.

Following a query about the reclassification of local authorities from professional investor to retail investor, Mr Bruce explained the reasons for the Local Authority electing professional investor status. The Chairman noted that training will offered to the Committee as part of the requirements of professional investor status, with details to follow. (Action: Treasury)

It was RESOLVED:

That the Performance and Contract Management Committee noted the report.

The Chairman welcomed the Q2 Performance Monitoring Report.

Following a query about fire safety at Council tower blocks, Mr Elliot Sweetman Director of Operations Barnet Homes, noted that the prioritised programme of works, including the installation of centrally controlled alarm systems and sprinklers was approved by the Housing Committee in October 2017.

The Committee commended the rapid response towards the removal of the cladding system on the towers which had similar cladding panels as Grenfell Tower.

In response to concerns about sickness absence in Street Scene, Ms Kitran Eastman Street Scene Director informed the Committee about mitigations put in place to address this issue. Ms Eastman also noted the changes of management staff in Street Scene and the arrangements put in place to tackle long term sickness absence.

Mr Mathew Kendall, Adults and Communities Director spoke about the wider preventative work with health partners to reduce hospital admissions in response to a query about the Q2 target to Monitor the Indicator AC/C16 – number of referrals to hospital social work teams. The Committee requested that a brief narrative be included where possible in relation to Adults and Communities Indicators marked as ‘Monitor’. (Action: Adults and Communities)

In respect of the average gross cost per placement in reference FS/C47 on p.72, the Committee asked to receive information about the rise in cost from Q1 to Q2 2017/18. (Action: Children’s Services)

The Committee noted the high percentage of primary and secondary schools rated as ‘good’ or ‘better’ and commended the achievements under Corporate Plan Indicators CES/S1 and CES/S3.

Ms Eastman informed Members about the development of a recycling contamination plan aimed at tackling the rise in contaminated recycling collections. Furthermore, the Committee requested that a communication plan be considered to inform residents about recycling and the implications associated with contaminated waste collections. (Action: Street Scene)

It was unanimously RESOLVED that:

1.    The Committee scrutinised the overall performance of the council, in relation to: the Corporate Plan; Theme Committee Commissioning Plans and Contracts; and (if necessary) made recommendations to other relevant committees on the policy and commissioning implications.

2.    The Committee noted the Q2 2017/18 revenue position, as detailed in paragraph A.4-A.5 and in Appendix B.

3.    The Committee noted the additions and deletions (which include virements) and accelerations and slippages in the capital programme, as detailed in paragraph A.6-A.7 and in Appendix C.

4.    4. The Committee noted the savings delivered in Q2 2017/18, as detailed in paragraph A.8.

5.    The Committee noted the agency costs for 2017/18, as detailed in paragraph A.9.

6.    The Committee noted the strategic risks, as detailed in paragraph A.16, and the corporate risk register, which includes high level service/joint risks in Appendix A.

The Chairman introduced the report. Following a query about the Daws Lane Community project, Anisa Darr Director of Resources noted that the project is complete but there was work outstanding and that the funds have been moved into 2018/19 to contribute towards the library being provided within the community centre.

It was RESOLVED that:

1.    The Committee noted the Q2 2017/18 revenue position, as detailed in paragraph 1.2 and in Appendix A.

2.    The Committee noted the savings forecast to be delivered in Q2 2017/18, as detailed in paragraph 1.2.15.

3.    The Committee noted the forecast level of reserves and balances as detailed in paragraph 1.3.

4.    The Committee noted the additions and deletions (which include virements) and accelerations and slippages in the capital programme, as detailed in paragraph 1.4 and in Appendix B.

5.    The Committee noted the treasury position outlined in paragraph 1.6.

The Chairman thanked the Members of the Re Contract review Working Group and officers on their work in preparing the report. The Chairman welcomed Deborah Hinde, Interim Assistant Commercial Director who presented the Year 4 Re Contract review report.

Ms Hinde referred to the KPI’s for Highways, Strategic Planning and Development Management services and noted that work has commenced to review the KPI’s in detail and to ensure that it reflects concerns raised.

In response to a query about the use of external support/market testing on Special Project – Ms Hinde informed the Committee that the outcome of the activities will be incorporated within future Performing Monitoring reports to this Committee. (Action: Commercial)

The Committee agreed to retain and continue the membership of the current Member Working Group for the finalisation of the relevant KPI’s.

Councillor Barry Rawlings moved a motion which was seconded to amend the wording of Recommendation 2 to read:

2. That the Committee notes that the Commercial Director is authorised under the existing Scheme of Delegation to conclude negotiations and finalise report to the Committee for ratification any necessary contractual arrangements to effect these changes.

Having been put to the vote, the motion was declared lost.

The Chairman moved to the vote on the recommendations as stated in the report. It was therefore RESOLVED:

1.    That the Committee noted the content of the report and the outcomes of the Review, as set out in the body of the report.

2.    That the Committee noted that the Commercial Director is authorised under the existing Scheme of Delegation to conclude negotiations and finalise any necessary contractual arrangements to effect these changes.

3.    That the Committee agreed the completion and implementation plan, as set out at Appendix B.

The votes were declared as follows:

The Chairman noted the standing item on the agenda which lists the business items for 2018.

RESOLVED that the Committee noted the items included in the 2018 work programme.

None.

RESOLVED – that under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act (as amended).

The Committee noted the exempt information.

None.