Agenda item

Councillor Naomi Tweddle, Portfolio Holder for Our People and Resources:

1. presented a report to update on the Council’s current progress towards the Vision 2025 strategic plan, together with updates on each service area under the Portfolio Our People and Resources
   
   
2. presented her report regarding activity and achievements within her portfolio, covering the following main areas:

Ø  Financial Sustainability

Ø  Revenues Shared Service

Ø  Procurement

Ø  Property Services

Ø  Emergency Planning

Ø  Business Continuity

Ø  Risk Management

Ø  Corporate Health and Safety

Ø  Safety Assurance Team

Ø  Human Resources

Ø  Staff Development

Ø  Workforce Plan

Ø  Policies and Procedures

Ø  Work Based Learning (WBL)

Ø  Craft Apprenticeship Scheme

Ø  Corporate Communications and Media Relations

Ø  Civic and International Partnerships

Ø  International Partnerships

Ø  Legal Services

Ø  Sickness levels

Ø  Measures performing below target

Ø  Measures performing above target

Ø  Measures performing within target boundary (acceptable performance)

3. thanked officers for their assistance with her portfolio

4. invited committees questions and comments.

Question: Why was the Central Market closed evert Monday and Tuesday?

Response: There had been a consultation with the Local Businesses and due to them being open for business at a weekend, it wouldn’t allow them a day off. It was hoped that some pop-up businesses would open on those days going forward.

Question: What was your view on temporary accommodation for short term lease?

Response: It was a huge problem financially and needed a national push from government.

Question: Why were only 3 apprentices taken on this year?

Response: Unfortunately it had been a casualty of budget cuts however a more in-depth response would be provided.

Question: Why had there been difficulties in recruiting trades?

Response: Cllr Tweddle agreed to feedback information on this once sought from officers.

Question: When would a local butchers open in the Central Market?

Response: Once a local business had been secured, the City of Lincoln Council were currently liaising with some.

Question: In relation to the Workforce Plan, what were the initial findings?

Response: There were severe capacity issues and there had been difficulties to recruit in certain areas. It was necessary for certain services but there were currently too many agency staff so more emphasis on growing our own would be a focus as well as bringing back career grading.

Question: Were there any zero hour contracts currently within the workforce?

Response: There were currently 2 members of staff on zero hour contracts in the visitor centre and were happy with them.

Question: There had been a growing number of enquiries in the Customer Services Team, why was that?

Response: There were a lot of services that were now online and people had moved to that method of service however there was the choice for people to call so there was still a volume of calls coming through. It fluctuated seasonally depending on rents/council tax etc.

Question: In relation to the 1.75m net cost savings, how would that number be achieved?

Response:  Around £1m of the required savings is due to anticipated changes as a result of the Governments Business Rates Reset, with a new Government in place there may be potential for these changes to be delayed, as has been the case in recent years, or amended, if so this would reduce the net savings requirement by c.£1m pa. In terms, of the longer term savings requirement, at present no firms plans are in place but work towards this is ongoing and will be reviewed and further developed as part of the upcoming MTFS cycle in line with the development of Vision 2030.

Question: Had any discussions taken place on Devolution?

Response: One discussion had taken place with the local MP on what the future would look like and labour were still keen going forward.

Question: Had there been any take up on stalls being used for pop up business?

Response: Simon Walters, Director of Communities and Environment agreed to find out the answer to this and report back to the committee.

Question: What did the Council have in place in regards to flexible working practises?

Response: Flexi time was still in force and still remained an incentive to work for the authority. Some work was being undertaken on career development as the Customer Services team was predominantly women.

RESOLVED that:

a)    relevant responses to questions raised by members to be provided following the meeting as requested.

b)    the report be noted by the Performance Scrutiny Committee.