(Time: 2.53pm to 3.10pm)
The Executive received and considered report 12/08 of the Senior Management Team. This review corporate governance during the fourth quarter of 2007/08, looking at the key areas of:
· Corporate Priorities
· Best Value Performance Indicators
· Progress against Service Prioritisation Plans
· Key staffing data (sickness levels and turnover)
· Progress with Business Process Improvement Reviews
· Financial commentary
· Risk Management
The Senior Management Team had considered the fourth quarter 2007/08 Business Performance Report: an exception report covering all of the aspects of corporate governance. The Senior Management Team agreed the exceptions to be reported to the Executive, where performance and actions were not on target, and agreed the comments and actions which had been included in this report.
The Executive sought an explanation of the overspend in Legal Services. The Head of Legal Services reported that there had been some reduction in the anticipated income in Land Charges, due partly to the downturn in the housing market. However, attempts were being made to improve the service with the aid of the Organisational Development service. There had also been an overspend on salaries due to the need to employ agency staff. It was hoped that there would be a full establishment soon.
All service managers were reminded of the importance of keeping within budget. Controlling salary budgets was just one element of this. Those managers that had done this were commended for their work.
Turning to Best Value Performance Indicators, Members asked for further improvement in the payment of invoices on time (BVPI 8).
Appendix C to the report set out progress with business process improvement reviews. Members called for improvements and cashable savings in these areas.
RESOLVED
that the Senior Management Team’s Corporate Governance exception report and proposals be noted.