Agenda and minutes

Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel - Thursday, 5th December 2024 6.30 pm

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Venue: Council Chamber, Town Hall, and YouTube

Contact: Clare Gornall, Democratic and Member Services Officer  Email: clare.gornall@chorley.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

29.

Declarations of Any Interests

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any pecuniary interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda.

 

If you have a pecuniary interest you must withdraw from the meeting. Normally you should leave the room before the business starts to be discussed. You do, however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision on the matter.

Minutes:

Theree were no declarations of interest.

30.

Minutes of the meeting held on 24 October 2024 pdf icon PDF 96 KB

Minutes:

Resolved (unanimously): – That the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 24 October 2024 be approved as a correct record.

 

The Chair also highlighted that the following additional information arising from the minutes had now been provided to the Panel:

 

-       Links to national datasets LG Inform and the Local Authority Data Explorer

-       Household Waste Recycling Rates and analysis

-       Mapping of NEETs in Chorley

 

 

31.

Performance Focus Paper: Policy and Governance Quarter Two pdf icon PDF 203 KB

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Change and Delivery.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Resources presented a report updating members on performance in corporate services. This included the Directorates Change and Delivery, Finance and Governance.

 

The performance focus included:

 

a.    An overall summary and budget position of the services,

b.    An overview of performance to quarter two 2024/25,

c.    An update on the Corporate Strategy project delivery for these directorates.

 

A query was raised about the inherent risk associated with new financial system. Reference was made to paragraph 29 c – “already £48k overspend following finalisation of 2022/23 external audit fees over and above the scale fee charge of £42k” and the following information was requested:

 

1.    the cost of additional testing on the new financial system;

 

2.    If the external audit fees were likely to be the same level again or a one off;

 

3.    Is the new financial system used by other councils? Has it been recommended?

 

With regard to the internal audit actions (only 60% completed, target 90%), Panel requested clarification as to whether any of the ones not completed were high risk, and details of the categorisation of risk.

 

The Panel also referred to the PAYE settlement agreement paid to HMRC (paragraph 27 d), requesting information as to the reasons. 

 

The Panel highlighted marketing and events at Astley Hall. Information was requested on visitor figures, pricing structure of annual membership fees, and an update in due course of the overall strategy and management plan to ensure Astley Hall is used to its potential to generate revenue.

 

Resolved (unanimously)–

 

1. That the report be noted;

2. That members be provided with information as follows:

 

i)             the cost of additional testing on the new financial system;

 

ii)            If the external audit fees were likely to be the same level again or a one off;

 

iii)          Is the new financial system used by other councils? Has it been recommended?

iv)        With regard to the internal audit actions (only 60% completed, target 90%), Panel requested clarification as to whether any of the ones not completed were high risk, and details of the categorisation of risk.

 

v)         What were the reasons for the PAYE settlement agreement paid to HMRC (paragraph 27 d). 

 

vi)        With regard to Astley Hall, information on visitor figures, pricing structure of annual membership fees, and an update in due course of the overall strategy and management plan to ensure Astley Hall is used to its potential to generate revenue.

 

 

32.

Chorley Quarter Two Performance Monitoring Report 2024-25 pdf icon PDF 285 KB

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Change and Delivery.

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Resources presented a report setting out the performance against the delivery of the Corporate Strategy during the second quarter of 2024/25, covering 1 July 2024 to 30 September 2024.

 

The Executive Member for Economic Development and Public Service Reform and The Executive Member for Homes and Housing were also in attendance to assist the Panel.

 

The Panel raised the following points and Executive Members responded as follows:

 

% customers dissatisfied with the Council – do we attempt to go back to the respondents and get more details if possible. The Executive Member for Resources stressed that in future the Council will be reviewing questions and asking for additional details at the first point of contact.

 

Energy Support Scheme funded by UKSPF – The Executive Member for Economic Development and Public Service Reform indicated that details of a recent presentation by the Home Improvement Team would be circulated to members.

 

Improving housing standards – The Executive Member for Homes and Housing explained that the initial phase to assess properties in the private rented sector with an energy rating of E or below would be finalised at the end of quarter 3. Once properties were inspected, it was the responsibility of the landlord to ensure their property was an acceptable standard. If necessary, an enforcement notice could be issued so the property cannot re-let until that time, however the council cannot force landlords to bring empty properties back into use.    

 

Resolved (unanimously):

 

1.    That the report be noted;

2.    That the following information be provided after the meeting:

i)             % customers dissatisfied with the Council – do we attempt to go back to the respondents and get more details;

ii)            Presentation on the Energy Support Scheme  to be circulated to members.

 

 

 

 

33.

Any urgent business previously agreed with the Chair

Minutes:

There was no urgent business.