Agenda and minutes

AGREED – That the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel held on 21 September 2017 be confirmed as a correct record.

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.

There were no declarations of any interest received.

Report of the Director of Policy and Governance (enclosed).

The Performance Panel received a report from the Director of Policy and Governance which provided information on the events being delivered by the Council’s Communications and Events Team. 

The Council’s events programme aims to –

·         Bring people together

·         Increase the borough’s profile locally and nationally

·         Encourage people to live and work in the borough

·         Provide engaging activities for residents improve and /promote health and wellbeing (Chorley Grand Prix)

·         support local businesses

It was reported that Chorley Council had gained an excellent reputation for organising and delivering events.  Since 2009, the Council’s events delivery had significantly increased from two annual events (Picnic in the Park and the Christmas lights switch on), to a yearlong programme of activities designed for people of all ages.

As part of their work, the Communications and Events Team was also responsible for internal and external communications including press enquires, social media, branding and website development.

Events delivered in 2016/17

Members of the Performance Panel were presented with the following table which outlined information on events delivered over 2016 and 2017.  It also provided attendance figures for each event, the amount of income generated were applicable, and the net cost.

*2017 figures yet to be confirmed

**Not reflective of total cost of 2017/18 events

It was reported that the Chorley Flower Show was the highest costing event held across the year, with the 2016 show costing in the region of £67,000 (net).  Chorley Live was delivered at no net cost to the Council in 2017 due to the income generated from this event covering the outgoing cost of organising the event.

With regards to value for money or cost per attendance –

·         Chorley Live shows the best value for money in terms of attendances at nil cost per visitor;

·         Chorley Grand Prix was the highest cost event per attendee.  However, it was difficult to quantify attendances for this event due to its nature, and the layout of the course.  It was therefore considered that the actual attendance at the event held in 2017 was much higher than 2,000 people recorded in the table;

·         Chorley Flower Show generated the highest income in 2016, of around £62,000.

Evaluation

Following the delivery of events, customers are asked to complete a satisfaction survey.

The purpose of the evaluation is to gather information on the economic and social impact the event had on the borough  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.OSP.45

Report of the Director of Policy and Governance which was presented at the meeting of the Executive Cabinet on 16 November by the Executive Member for Resources (enclosed).

The Performance Panel considered a monitoring report from the Director of Policy and Governance which was presented at the Executive Cabinet on 3 November.  The report set out the performance against the delivery of the Corporate Strategy and key performance indicators during the second quarter of 2017/18, 1 July to 30 September 2017.

Overall, performance of key projects was rated as good -

·         8 (57%) of projects were rated as green or complete

·         2 (14%) of projects were closed, the reasons for which had been included in the report

·         4 (29%) of projects were rated amber, action plans for which were detailed in the report.

Performance of the Corporate Strategy indicators and key service delivering measures was good with 58% of Corporate Strategy measures performing on or above target.  80% of key service delivery measures were performing on or above target or within the 5% threshold.  Those indicators performing below target had action plans outlined in the report, including measures which would be put into place to improve performance.

 During quarter 2, a residents’ survey was conducted to gather residents’ views about their satisfaction with the Council, local area and community involvement.  Overall performance was good.  Five of the nine indicators preformed about target of within the 5% tolerance. 

Four of the nine indicators performed below target;

·         % of people who felt they could not influence decision making in their local area,

·         satisfaction with street cleanliness,

·         % of people who regularly participate in volunteering

·         % of residents who felt that Chorley Council provided value for money.

However, this performance was on par or better than average compared to national trends for council satisfaction.  It should also be considered in light of a particularly challenging local and national context.

Members of the Performance Panel questioned the purpose of the performance indicator ‘Number of homelessness preventions and reliefs’.  It was confirmed that the performance indicator was no longer going to be monitored through the Council’s corporate strategy following the publication of the quarter four 2017/18 performance information and will instead be reviewed and measured locally within the relevant Council service.

AGREED – That the report be noted.