Issue - meetings

To consider and receive the report of the Director (Policy and Governance).

The Chair, Councillor John Walker, welcomed Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member (Resources) and Rebecca Huddleston, Director (Policy and Governance). 

Rebecca Huddleston presented the report which provides contextual information to the Panel on performance relating to the Policy and Governance directorate. 

The Policy and Governance directorate incorporates a number of services: Legal, Democratic and HR; Shared Financial Services; Performance and Partnerships; and Communications and Events. This report focuses on two specific areas of the work of the directorate; increasing digital inclusion in line with the Digital Strategy, and the improvement programme for Astley Hall and Park.

Members queried the five Basic Digital Skills referenced in the performance indicators.  These will be confirmed following the meeting.  

The work undertaken with young people includes code clubs, developing websites and creating animations and actively encourages girls to invest in skills for future jobs within the digital sector. 

Members noted that residents are increasingly migrating onto digital channels when communicating with the Council, but that the contacts via face to face and the telephone have not reduced.  Simon Charnock, Digital Transformation Officer, is working with Age UK to deliver training on how to use video calling and smart speakers with tailored and adapted sessions.  Simon can give assistance with applications for Blue Badges and other online applications, either at one of the Digital Hubs, or other locations on request. 

Councillor Peter Wilson noted the success of the Digital Hubs and the potential to increase these in the future if required. 

Rebecca Huddleston outlined the section of the report which relates to Astley Hall and Park.

Members queried the plan in the event that the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) bid is unsuccessful and noted that some of the planned work will go ahead in phases.  The outcome of the bid will be known mid-December. 

The spend on the Hall and Park is greater than other parks, such as Yarrow Valley, but Yarrow Valley has benefitted from improvement works to the car park and flood defences.  Other play areas have also benefitted from improvement works, such as Coronation Rec and Harpers Lane Rec. 

Members queried the performance target for the annual target of visitors to the Hall.  This is 80,000, rather than 40,000 as quoted in the report and relates to visitors to the Hall specifically.  Events such as Astley Illuminated have proven to be extremely popular, not just with Chorley residents, but people outside of the Borough as well. 

There are plans for a dog wash facility, which will be progressed in the New Year. 

Turning to the performance indicators for the Directorate as a whole Members noted poor performance against the target for payment of invoices within 30 days.  This is due to issues with long term sickness within the team. 

Decision: That the report be noted.