Agenda item

To consider the following Part I Decisions of the Executive taken on 14 March 2019

Notice of Decisions to follow

PLEASE BRING YOUR AGENDA AND REPORTS FOR THE EXECUTIVE MEETING HELD ON 13 FEBRUARY 2019.

Minutes of the Executive – 13 February 2019

The Committee noted the comments of the Executive.

Minutes of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Select Committees

The Committee noted the comments of the Executive.

Third Quarter Revenue Monitoring Report 2019/20 – General Fund and Housing Revenue Account

The Committee noted the comments of the Executive. Members raised questions regarding rent loss from increased voids for the Indoor Market and Liaison Officers for the Kenilworth Close development.

Third Quarter Capital Monitoring Report 2019/20 – General Fund and Housing Revenue Account

The Committee noted the comments of the Executive. Members sought clarification on underspend for works to the Timebridge boiler and indoor market.

Housing Revenue Account Asset Management Strategy

The Committee noted the comments of the Executive.

Corporate Performance for Quarter Three 2018/19

The Committee noted the comments of the Executive. Members raised the following issues:

•           Handling of customer documents

•           New website features

•           IT resources

•           Customer complaints

•           Third-party absence management provider (FirstCare)

Co-operative Neighbourhood Management Programme Delivery 2018/19

The Committee noted the comments of the Executive. The Committee raised questions regarding boundaries, neighbourhood wardens and community development officers. Members commended the work of neighbourhood wardens particularly those based in St Nicholas, Martins Wood and Shephall. The Committee assured officers that Members want to be more involved in community engagement matters.

It was RESOLVED:

1.         That the Indoor Market Review report be circulated to the Committee

2.         That Cooperative Neighbourhoods Manager sets up meetings to introduce Members to their respective neighbourhood wardens

Minutes of the Executive – 13 February 2019

The Committee noted the comments of the Executive.

Minutes of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Select Committees

The Committee noted the comments of the Executive.

Third Quarter Revenue Monitoring Report 2019/20 – General Fund and Housing Revenue Account

The Committee noted the comments of the Executive. In response to a question regarding rent loss from increased voids for the Indoor Market, Members were informed that the Council had introduced a number of initiatives such as flexible opening times, parking charge variations and spaces for casual traders. Officers assured the Committee that a Liaison Officer will be in place in time for Phase Two of the Kenilworth Close development.

Third Quarter Capital Monitoring Report 2019/20 – General Fund and Housing Revenue Account

The Committee noted the comments of the Executive. Members sought clarification on underspend for works to the Timebridge boiler and indoor market. Officers reported that there was an equal split of costs between Timebridge and Hertfordshire County Council. It was highlighted that works related to lighting, heater replacements and electrical distribution board had been carried out at the Indoor Market at a lower cost and without compromising the quality of work. 

Housing Revenue Account Asset Management Strategy

The Committee noted the comments of the Executive.

Corporate Performance for Quarter Three 2018/19

The Committee noted the comments of the Executive. Members raised the following issues:

·         Handling of customer documents

·         New website features

·         IT resources

·         Customer complaints

·         Third-party absence management provider (FirstCare)

The Assistant Director (Corporate Services and Transformation) advised that:

·         The Council had procured of a new website platform

·         A new website was due to be launched in the summer

·         A cross-party group was working on IT solutions including a customer service management solution

·         The Document Management System was scheduled to go live at the end of March 2019. The system will improve document management for customers and SBC teams

·         There was a steady improvement in call handling as a result of customer care training and collaborative working

·         Telephone call statistics are cumulative from the beginning of the financial year

·         The customer services team escalates customer queries to relevant officers – if necessary

·         Members will be able to access the internal telephone directory once the interactive features of the intranet become fully functional

·         The introduction of the third-party absence management provider (FirstCare) had been held back pending consideration of the Sickness Management review and liaison with the Portfolio Holder

·         The Council had earmarked projects for the IT underspend

·         A soft launch will be used to test the new website and this will precede the hard launch

·         The Customer Relationship Management System, Housing Portal and other IT services will plug into the new website

·         The Council had identified future IT staffing requirements based upon current anticipated operations and developments

·         Like many others, the Council faced an issue of retaining experienced IT staff

·         There is likely to be a twelve week leading in period prior to the implementation of FirstCare 

Co-operative Neighbourhood Management Programme Delivery 2018/19

The Committee noted the comments of the Executive. The Committee raised questions regarding boundaries, neighbourhood wardens and community development officers. Officers advised that there were four area-based teams. Each team was led by a Community Development Officer. There were plans for practical area based teams comprising of Communities & Neighbourhoods, Housing and Stevenage Direct Services officers. Members enquired about recent resignations from the Community Development team.

Members were optimistic that the introduction of the Community Engagement Framework will improve resident engagement. Members commended the work of neighbourhood wardens particularly those based in St Nicholas, Martins Wood and Shephall. It was confirmed that names, job descriptions and working arrangements of neighbourhood wardens were previously provided to Members. The Committee assured officers that Members want to be more involved in community engagement matters.

It was RESOLVED:

1.         That the Indoor Market Review report be circulated to the Committee

2.         That Cooperative Neighbourhoods Manager sets up meetings to introduce Members to their respective neighbourhood wardens