Agenda item

Report No: PAS/WS/20/001

The Committee received Report No: PAS/WS/20/001, which set out the current performance for the third quarter and forecasted financial outturn position for 2019-2020.

The report showed the current performance indicators for the third quarter, as set out in the following appendices attached to the report:

-      Appendix A: Performance Indicators – Commentary

-      Appendix B: Performance Indicators – Growth

-      Appendix C: Performance Indicators – Families and Communities

-      Appendix D: Performance Indicators – Housing

-      Appendix E: Performance Indicators – Day to Day

-      Appendix F: Income and Expenditure Report

-      Appendix G: Capital Programme

-      Appendix H: Earmarked Reserves

-      Appendix I: Strategic Risk Register

Proposed performance targets for 2020-2021 had also been included in appendices B – E.

Members considered the report and asked questions of the Assistant Directors/Service Managers, to which responses were provided.  In particular discussions and responses were provided on the following: 

-      Appendix A: % of customers satisfied with the overall journey and rate of return on investments.

-      Appendix B: Debt over 90 days.

-      Appendix C: Number of households in bed and breakfast and temporary accommodation (showing as a green value)

-      Appendix E: Costs of current external borrowing, and update on pre-application advice; and

-      Appendix F: Income and expenditure – supplies and service costs (mobile phone)

In response to a question raised regarding Appendix C, fly-tipping clearance, officers advised that the council had a duty to investigate fly-tipping incidents reported.  However, if the incident was found to be on private land, then it was the land-owners responsibility to remove and dispose of correctly.

When considering Appendix G (Capital Programme) Councillor Lukaniuk suggested that more consideration should be given to property investments in Brandon.  In response, officers explained that when making investments the council was not just looking at achieving a financial return, it also considered the wider social and economic return.  Each proposed investment was considered on its own merits, and officers had looked at potential property investments in Brandon. 

With regards to the redundant Bank in Brandon, officers had investigated this, at Councillor Lukaniuk’s request, and concluded that it was not deemed to be a viable investment.  However, officers wished to encourage all members to bring forward any ideas/propositions they had for investment across West Suffolk to their attention.    

In response to a question raised regarding Appendix H, time limits on Section 106 reserves (S106).  Officers advised that that each S106 had its own time limit.  West Suffolk had an excellent record in spending its S106 monies and had not had to pay any back, unlike some local authorities in England.

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

It was then proposed by Councillor Cliff Waterman, and duly seconded by Councillor Victor Lukaniuk, and with the vote being 5 for, 1 against and 3 abstentions, it was

          RECOMMENDED:

That Cabinet be asked to consider Brandon as a special case and looks at property investments in Brandon.