To receive presentations by the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member (Corporate And Customer Services And Human Resources), and Cabinet Member (Resources) on performance in 2005/06 and challenges for 2006/07.

The Committee received presentations by the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member (Corporate and Customer Services and Human Resources) and Cabinet Member (Resources) on performance in 2005/06 and challenges for 2006/07.

Leader of the Council

A report had been prepared by the Leader of the Council.  In presenting his report the Leader of the Council highlighted the following issues:

·         The Joint Area Review of Children’s Services had been resource intensive and he credited the staff for continuing the provision of services during the review period.  He commented that addressing the outcome of the review was a priority for the Council.  While significant improvement had already been made there was still some concern about sustaining the level of improvement.

·         The Council should take a clear lead role in the community in relation to diversity issues.

·         The development of an integrated planning process and medium term financial strategy was underway.

·         While the Herefordshire Connects Programme may be seen as a high-risk strategy it was a programme the Council had to deliver in view of the medium term financial position facing the Council.

·         While some problems had arisen over sharing budgets to ensre an effective use of resources, the Council had always been committed to partnership working.

·         The continuance of the Herefordshire Primary Care Trust owed a lot to the support of the Council and the Herefordshire community.

Responding to questioning the Leader expressed some concern in relation to aspects of The Lyons Review and in particular possible changes to the allocation of Business Rates.  He emphasised that as Chair of the West Midland Shire Councils, his work in connection with City Regions, and in other fora he ensured that, whenever possible, the problems faced by rural Counties were raised.

Cabinet Member (Corporate and Customer Services and Human Resources)

A report had been prepared by the Cabinet Member (Corporate and Customer Services and Human Resources).  In presenting her report the Cabinet Member highlighted the following issues:

·         While it had been a difficult year the Council had achieved recognition for its Website, achieved the Plain English Campaign’s Crystal Mark and regained the Charter Mark for Info.

·         The Corporate and Customer Services Directorate had co-ordinated the Corporate Assessment work and was sponsoring the Herefordshire Connects Programme.

·         Through the development of ICT, the Herefordshire Connects Transformation Programme will integrate front line services.  There will also be a change to the HR culture involving changes to accommodation and working practices for a number of staff and opportunities for some staff to further develop their skills.

·         Performance Management will be a critical area and Herefordshire will learn from the best practice in other authorities.

The Committee noted the report and the following are the principal points that arose during the ensuing debate:

·         The Herefordshire Connects Transformation Programme created a big opportunity for the Council and its partners. However, the experiences of other authorities would be used during the development of the programme. 

·         The Public Service Trust will drive other ICT related developments e.g. the sharing of data.

·         A rigid discipline needed to be imposed towards business planning to ensure efficiencies in moves and re-locations.

·         Vacant or unfilled posts should be assessed and the job reviewed to ensure the post was appropriate for the task.  Some specific hard to fill posts would need good recruitment campaigns.

·         Voluntary work and the work of the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) was greatly appreciated. It was however important to note the continuing substantial support from the Council to the CAB.

Cabinet Member (Resources)

A report had been prepared by the Cabinet Member (Resources).  In presenting his report the Cabinet Member commented that many areas of activity had already been reported on, however, he highlighted the following specific issues:

·         Given the senior management changes during 2005/06 the performance of the Directorate was steady.  He outlined the changes and current situation concerning senior management recruitment.

·         The finance and audit teams offered solid support to the rest of the organisation contributing to a 2005 CPA judgement of 3 out of 4 on the Use of Resources element of the inspection.

·         Work was ongoing to change the financial culture of the Council.

·         A Medium Term Financial Strategy would be completed by July. However, while a long-term financial forecast was being worked on, difficulties arose due to variables in government funding plans.

On questioning the delay in appointing the Head of Asset Management & Property Services the Committee were informed that initially the recruitment process had been delayed pending the appointment of the Director of Resources.

The Chairman thanked the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Members for their reports and responding to the Committee’s questioning.