Agenda item

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Management and Customer Services, Councillor Metcalfe:

a.    advised that along with wider Local Government community and the national political landscape , the context for the Council remained a very challenging one

b.    presented his report regarding activity and achievements within his portfolio, covering the following main areas:

·         Introduction

·         The Council's Priorities

·         Key Achievements in 2016/17

Ø      Progress on reshaping local government

Ø      Financial savings

Ø      Revenues and Benefits Shared Service

Ø      Complaints against the Council

Ø      Customer Services

Ø      Website Development

Ø      Procurement

Ø      Asset Management

Ø     Business Development and Information Technology

Ø      Emergency Planning and Business Continuity

Ø      Risk Management

Ø      Human Resources

Ø      Work Based Learning (WBL) - Apprenticeships

Ø      Audit arrangements

Ø      Electoral activity

Ø      Communications

Ø      Allotments

Ø      Equality and Diversity

Ø      Annual Report

·         Key Performance Results

·         Future Challenges

c.    thanked officers for their assistance with his portfolio.

Members thanked the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Management and Customer Services for his report and questioned him on various aspects of this:

·         : There was cross party disappointment over the devolution result, what was the current situation?

·         : Currently the Council was trying to establish what the Government's steer was going to be with no local agreement. There was great uncertainty at the moment however work was going on in the background to be prepared for any outcome.

·         : In the report there is a statement saying that the Council will continue to be innovative and entrepreneurial, did this mean taking risks?

·         : Traditionally the Council had been very risk averse but currently there was an entirely different set of circumstances. By achieving financial independence the Council might have to throw off some degree of caution as it was now necessary to increase income. Risks had been taken with the Transport Hub and the Council had been heavily exposed while it was waiting for the contribution from the Department of Transport. By being entrepreneurial the Council would be looking at investment opportunities i.e. buying/selling land and property.

·         : The turnout for the County Council Election was 31.98% what are the thoughts on increasing the number of people registered to vote?

·         : This was extremely important and Electoral Services were more pro-active than ever in encouraging eligible people to register. They used social media and strong links had been formed with the University. It was unfortunate but there would always be people who actively resisted registration.

·         : Developers building new properties advised new buyers to register for council tax, would this be an ideal opportunity to include a welcome pack with instructions on how to register to vote?

·         : This was a very good idea and could be explored but would be dependent on cost and resources.

·         : Boston managed to turn Housing Benefit Claims around in 5 days. Why did it take Lincoln a month?

·         : Prompt payment of Housing Benefit was extremely important as non-payment could lead to unpleasant side effects. Officers understood that Boston used a different process where applicants came in at the outset with all relevant information in support of their claims. New claims were promptly handled here and the Benefits team was not complacent, claimants were encouraged to use online systems to link into digital inclusion agenda and associated efficiencies for customers and the Council. The turnaround time was 23 days at the end of quarter one.

RESOLVED that the content of the report be received and noted with thanks.