Decision details

(Time: 3.36pm to 3.50pm)

The Executive received and considered report 74/07 of the Strategic Director and Monitoring Officer, which set out the Corporate Governance Report for the first quarter of 2007/08, being April to June 2007.  The report looked at the key areas of corporate priorities, Best Value Performance Indicators, progress against Service Prioritisation Plans, key staffing data (sickness levels and turnover), and included a financial commentary. 

During 2006/07 the Corporate Governance Reports included full versions of the individual reports on each of the key areas listed above.  However, for 2007/08 the Executive had asked that exception reporting should be adopted.  The Senior Management Team would consider a standard quarterly report, which considered all aspects of corporate governance and the full versions of the individual reports were still available on the Council’s website. 

The Executive discussed the Best Value Performance Indicator results for the quarter.  Invoices paid on time was below target but improving.  The latest figure was 91.33%.  It was noted that much work had been carried out to solve the problems experienced following the introduction of the new financial management software.  It was noted that Capita was putting more resources into this and targeting payment of invoices that had been delayed.  Suppliers were being contacted by telephone to inform them of the latest position. 

Members again remarked about the performance indicators that gave a misleading impression of the Council’s performance on waste management.  The Council wanted to minimise waste, and from the waste produced, recycle more and reduce the amount sent to landfill.  This was not reflected in the performance indicators. 

Turning to the financial commentary, it was noted that although there were some variances across the service areas, none of these were considered to be significant.  The latest prediction was that there would be a £75,000 underspend for the authority at the year end.  Portfolio Holders did not raise any significant concerns with budget performance in their service areas. 

The other sections of the Corporate Governance report were noted. 

RESOLVED

that the Senior Management Team’s First Quarter 2007/08 Corporate Governance exception report and proposals be noted.