Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 29 May 2018 be confirmed.

Please note that, in accordance with the Members' Code of Conduct, when declaring interests members must disclose the existence and nature of the interest, and whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) or personal and/or pecuniary.

No declarations of interest were received.

To provide the Executive with an opportunity to consider draft targets for the agreed sub-set of strategic measures for approval prior to initial reporting in quarter one of 2018/19.

Decision

That the draft targets for the agreed sub-set of strategic measures be approved.

None.

Performance targets were introduced in 2016/17 but needed to be reviewed each year to reflect changes in the market place, as well as current outturn achievements. The report proposed a number of considered changes to targets for the new year, following consultation with Portfolio Holders, the Council’s Corporate Management Team and Assistant Directors.

Appendix A to the report detailed the measures chosen to have both continuous improvement and targets monitored, with those targets having been proposed by Assistant Directors in consultation with service managers and approved by Portfolio Holders.

Since 2013, trended performance had been reported to members via in excess of 70 measures defined as the Council’s key operational measures. As a result of the review it was proposed that the strategic measures set would consist of 28 measures for which targets would be set, with the remaining measures still forming part of formal quarterly performance reporting albeit without specific targets.

A summary of the proposed changes was set out in paragraph 4.2 of the report. The following three measures were highlighted where it was proposed that targets should be reduced:

·         proportion of rent collected – this was to more accurately reflect the expected effects of Universal Credit;

·         level of tenant arrears – this was also to more accurately reflect the expected effects of Universal Credit;

·         utilisation of car parks – it was acknowledged that there were now more spaces to fill in the city’s car parks, with this reduction in target being a more realistic aspiration.

Members agreed that the proposal to reduce the target for these three measures was completely reasonable and reflected the realism of the current situation.

Questions were raised regarding the allocation of priorities in Appendix A to respective Portfolio Holders, with the Portfolio Holder titles not reflecting the new Executive for 2018/19 and some priorities being allocated to the wrong Portfolio. It was noted that this was a draft document and that a revised version would reflect current Portfolio Holder titles, together with the correct allocation of Council priorities.

You are asked to resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items because it is likely that if members of the press or public were present, there would be disclosure to them of 'exempt information'.

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, notice is hereby given of items which will be considered in private, for which either 28 days' notice has been given or approval has been granted by the appropriate person specified in the Regulations. For further details please visit our website at http://www.lincoln.gov.uk or contact Democratic Services at City Hall, Beaumont Fee, Lincoln.

This item is being considered in private as it is likely to disclose exempt information, as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. No representations have been received in relation to the proposal to consider this item in private.

RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business because it was likely that if members of the public were present there would be a disclosure to them of ‘exempt information’ as defined by Section 100I and Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

This item was considered in private as it was likely to disclose exempt information, as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. No representations had been received in relation to the proposal to consider this item in private.

To consider approval of the sale of the Council’s freehold interest and associated dealings in a city centre property.

Decision

That the recommendation contained within the report be approved.

Alternative options considered were set out in the report.

A Deed of Covenant applied to the property, which expired in 2026 on heads of terms set out in paragraph 3.6 of the report. This included a requirement for ongoing payments to be made to the current tenant.

The sale of the Council’s freehold interest and associated dealings in this property would result in the Council making an annual saving of approximately £200,000, with the full saving up to the end of the Deed of Covenant in 2026 totalling approximately £1.4 million.

A one off payment would apply to secure the sale of the freehold. Members agreed that the financial benefit of the ongoing savings far outweighed the proposed one-off payment and meant that the Council would no longer be tied into the existing arrangements. This point was emphasised by members during discussion and consideration of the proposal.