To consider a draft of the Council’s Annual Operating Plan (AOP) 2007-08 and offer comments for Cabinet to consider in finalising the Plan. 

The Committee was invited to comment to Cabinet on the draft Annual Operating Plan.

The Corporate Policy and Research Manager presented the report, noting that the Corporate Plan and Annual Operating Plan were to be considered by Cabinet on 22nd February.  He informed the Committee that the Plans had been developed in consultation with the Resources Directorate to ensure that they were affordable and that the allocation of resources reflected the Council’s agreed priorities as set out in the Plan.

He added that Ministerial approval of the Local Area Agreement (LAA) was still awaited.  Discussion was also continuing within the Council to ensure targets reflected the Council’s aspirations and were realistic, including in respect of  the level of improvement that could be achieved in social care for older people and adults with learning disabilities in 2007/08 towards the longer-term programme of re-shaping approved by Cabinet.  It was intended that these targets would be finalised in time for them to be .included in the final version of the Plan.

In the ensuing discussion the following principal points were made (page references are to the relevant page in the agenda papers):

·          It was suggested that the Council and the Public needed greater clarity on what the development of the proposed Public Service Trust with the Primary Care Trust would mean.  The Chief Executive replied that a public consultation exercise was planned.

·          (Page 60/61)The Corporate Policy and Research Manager acknowledged that in parts of the Plan the action that partner organisations would take to achieve the specified targets where they were the lead organisation were not described.  This contrasted with the level of information available for most of the Council led targets.  The intention was that wherever this information the final version of the Plan would be clearer in showing how the planned improved performance would be achieved.

·          (page 56) A Member suggested that setting a maximum speed limit of 40mph on all routes off main roads would help to improve safety.

·          (page 58) Whilst recognising that the wording was substantially dictated by Government requirements and no change could be made at this point the phrase “promoting community harmony” could be more helpful than, “promoting diversity and community harmony” as more in keeping with the Government’s focus on community cohesion.

·          (page 46) It was asked how the targets to increase the number of people claiming benefit to which they were entitled sat with the Government’s decision to set a target for the overall number of benefit changes processed that resulted in a reduction or termination of benefit.  In reply it was stated that although an unfortunate inference could be drawn from the wording of the Government’s new target the Government agreed that the target in the LAA to increase take up of benefit by those entitled to it was a good one.  Some £9 million in additional benefit was now being claimed by older people annually in the County.

·          (page 44)  It was asked whether setting a target for pupils in schools maintained by the Council achieving 5 or more A* - G grades was too wide a target range.   In reply it was noted that there was also a target (required by Government) for A* - C grades including Maths and English.  Moreover, setting a target range to G measured the achievement of qualifications which represented significant achievement for a minority of less able young people that would otherwise go unrecorded.

·          (page 49)  The target for restricting the decline in the total number of VAT registered businesses was questioned.  In reply it was stated that targets were needed to measure the effectiveness of the Council’s economic development measures.  Demonstrating success helped to generate Government funding.  Noting the number of one-man businesses in the County which would not be VAT registered it was acknowledged that it was difficult to find good single measures.  A range, as set out in the Plan, was therefore required.

·          (page 50)  It was suggested that the target, “to decrease from 416 to 160 the number of people accepted as homeless....” should be reworded.  It was important to reduce the number of people who were unintentionally homeless but in doing so it was essential that they were provided with somewhere to live that was reasonable and appropriate to their needs.  This was not always the case.  The target needed to reflect the provision of a proper solution to cases of homelessness.

·          It was stated in reply that the reduction in homelessness over the last year had been sharp and sustained and the aim of the Strategic Housing Service was to house people properly.

·          The issue of the need for affordable housing was briefly discussed.  It was noted that affordability was a problem for those seeking to acquire a property but the issues those suffering homelessness faced were of a different nature in the majority of cases.

·          (page 54)  It was asked whether the recycling targets were sufficiently challenging.  The Corporate Policy and Research Manager replied that he was satisfied that the targets were realistic.  The targets over the life of the three-year Corporate Plan were more ambitious.  The Chief Executive remarked that the Council had been criticised by auditors in the past for not always being sufficiently realistic in setting targets.

·          (page 56)  In relation to improving road safety the question of de-trunking the A49 was raised.  It was noted that this would only be worthwhile if appropriate funding for its upkeep was transferred by the Highways Agency.

The Committee did not have any specific recommendations for Cabinet on the assurance that account would be taken of its general comments in refining the Plan for submission to Cabinet.

(Mrs PA Andrews Vice Chairman took the chair during part of the discussion of this item in the Chairman’s absence.)