The Committee is asked to consider the Performance Monitoring Report 2016-17 Quarter 1. The Policy and Performance Manager, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance and the Deputy Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance have been invited to attend for this item.

The Chairman welcomed the Deputy Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance and the Policy and Performance Manager to the meeting.

The Deputy Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance introduced the quarterly portfolio-based balanced scorecard performance report for the first quarter of 2016/17 (April-June), not January-March, as stated in the report.  He pointed out that that scorecards had been updated to reflect the changes in the new Cabinet structure, referred to the improvement in performance indicators and changes to Risk Management, and advised that the Local Area Perception Survey for 2016 was now available. 

Members considered the Corporate Overview balanced scorecard report for 2016/17 Quarter 1.  A Member sought clarification on why the actual budget capital expenditure was only half of the target, and the Policy and Performance Manager agreed to find out this information and report back.

Members made no comment on the Environmental and Rural Affairs balanced scorecard report for 2016/17 Quarter 1.

Members considered the Finance and Performance balanced scorecard report for 2016/17 Quarter 1.  A Member sought clarification on why there was a deterioration in collection rate year on year for Council Tax, but the indicator remained green?  The Deputy Cabinet Member advised that whilst the collection rate had decreased slightly, the rate remained within target.

Members considered the Housing and Wellbeing balanced scorecard report for 2016/17 Quarter 1.  A Member commented that the information in the report reflected the data in the Housing Services Task and Finish Group draft report to be discussed later in the meeting.

Members considered the Planning Services balanced scorecard report for 2016/17 Quarter 1.  In response to a question from a Member, the Deputy Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance advised that the overspend was due to the costs in employing additional staff and unforeseen appeal costs, but this was now closer to target. 

A Member suggested that there were still cases of targets not being met in the Timeliness of Processing Applications, asked whether there had been any improvement and could the issue be included in the Development Management scrutiny review?   Another Member sought further clarification and detail on capital expenditure. A discussion on the accountability of Cabinet Member portfolios followed, and the Policy and Performance Officer referred to the Finance Monitoring Report which would be considered at the Scrutiny Budget meeting on 26 January 2017.

Members considered the Regeneration balanced scorecard report for 2016/17 Quarter 1.  In response to a question from a Member relating to the lack of performance targets in Tourism, the Policy and Performance Manager agreed to report this back.  Another Member highlighted the lack of detail on Regeneration and the Policy and Performance Manager drew Members’ attention to the updated Regeneration site map outside the Committee Room, Swale House, and advised that some performance indicators were requested by Cabinet Members and others by Council.  The Deputy Cabinet Member added that the report was an overview so lacked detail.  The Chairman suggested more detail to be included. 

Members considered the Safer Families and Communities balanced scorecard report for 2016/17 Quarter 1.  In response to a question from a Member, the Policy and Performance Manager confirmed that there was no corporate measure for Licensing.