Agenda and minutes

            The Minutes from the meeting held on 5^th January 2016 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

            The Board was advised that no public questions had been received.

            The Minutes relating to the Corporate Services Portfolio which had been considered by the Halton Strategic Partnership were presented to the Board for information.

            RESOLVED: That the Minutes be noted.

The Board considered the minutes of the Member Development Group meeting held on 24^th September 2015.

RESOLVED: That the Board note the minutes.

            The Board received a presentation from Brian Hilton and John Gallagher which provided an overview of ‘Unlocking our Potential – an Organisational Development Strategy for Halton Council 2016-20’. The strategy document was the successor to the People Plan. In line with the public sector generally, despite significant constraints in funding, the Council needed to maintain an effective, professional and motivated workforce, whilst at the same time creating opportunities for the workforce to maximise their potential. In formulating the Strategy the future needs of the community, our values and ways of working, workforce composition and feedback from the Staff Survey 2014 were considered.

            It was noted that the Strategy was built around the following 5 Key Strategic Aims and each contained a number of objectives and actions with linked outcomes and timescales which would enable progress to be monitored:

·         Workforce Skills and Development;

·         Recruitment and Retention;

·         Engagement and Recognition;

·         Health and Wellbeing; and

·         Innovation and Flexibility.

Arising from the discussion, the Board highlighted the following issues:

·         the potential for integrated working with the Halton CCG;

·         the apprenticeship levy and the number of apprenticeships currently employed by the Council; and

·         retaining Knowledge when staff leave the Council.

RESOLVED: That the Board notes the contents and intentions of the strategy and approves its submission to Executive Board.

            The Board received a report which outlined the Council’s insurance and risk financing arrangements. Members were advised on Officer roles and responsibilities, the different types of insurance cover the Council had the measures undertaken in 2010/11 to ensure that the Council had value from its insurance arrangements and how insurance claims were dealt with by the in-house handling arrangements. It was noted that since 2010/11 the Council’s insurance premiums had reduced from £1,543,690 to £445,211.

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

            The Board received a report of the Strategic Director, Community and Resources, which sought to develop a work programme of topics for the Board to examine in 2016/17.

            The Board had previously established a Topic Group which oversaw the operation of the Council’s Discretionary Support Scheme. The Group had been highly effective and provided significant guidance to the Executive Board and Officers, in relation to the delivery of the service. In addition, the Board had set up a Topic Group related to the review of Fees and Charges. This was a major piece of work that had recently concluded and was to be reported to Executive Board.

            It was felt the Discretionary Support Scheme Topic Group would continue and any suggestions for an additional Topic Group should be forwarded to the Chairman of the Corporate PPB.

            RESOLVED: That Members’ confirmed their support for the continuation of the Fees and Charges Topic Group and the Discretionary Support Topic Group.

            The Board received a report of the Strategic Director, Community and Resources, which presented the Performance Monitoring Reports for Quarter 3, 2015/16.

            The reports related to the following functional areas which reported to the Board and detailed progress against service objectives and milestones, and performance targets and provided information relating to key developments and emerging issues that had arisen during the period:

·         Finance;

·         Human Resources and Organisational Development;

·         ICT and Administrative Support;

·         Legal and Democracy;

·         Policy and Performance;

·         Property Services; and

·         Catering, Stadium and Registration Services.

            Arising from the discussion, further information be forwarded to Councillor Lowe on the position of East Lane Development and were it stands in relation to Council Tax/Business Rates.

RESOLVED: That the third quarter performance monitoring reports be received and noted.

Members were provided with an update on Business Planning for the period 2016-17 and were asked to consider the Directorate priorities, objectives and targets for services for this period that fell within the remit of this Policy and Performance Board (PPB).

It was reported that following organisational restructuring the Council would develop a single Business Plan for 2016/17 financial year and in parallel with the budget that was subject to annual review and refresh. Key priorities for development or improvement for the various functional areas reporting to this PPB were presented to and considered by the Board in autumn 2014, from which the Draft Business Plan had been developed. Given the remit of this Board, extracts from the Draft Plan were presented for consideration.

Members were informed that plans could only be finalised once budget decisions had been confirmed in March and that some target information may need to be reviewed as a result of final outturn data becoming available post March 2016.

RESOLVED: That the Draft Business Plan extract be received and forwarded to the Executive Board for approval.