Agenda and draft minutes

1.    Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

2.    Other Interests

There were no disclosures made.

None

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 June 2024 be approved as a correct record.

The Chair advised that the next meeting of the Select Committee Programming Group was on 22 August 2024.

RESOLVED:

That the Select Committee Work Programme, be noted.

The Committee considered a report which informed members of the Council’s overall performance and financial position for the period ended 31 March 2024 (“Fourth Quarter 2023/24”).  Detailed analysis is provided within the appendices to the report. 

The Executive Councillor presented the report and provided further information on projected variances as set out in the report. Reference was made to the projected overspend by AES, more information on which was set out in the collaborative arrangements section of the report.

Members were advised that the level of reserves have been reviewed and it is recommended that these be increased to £2.6M as set out in paragraph 3.8 of the report.  The reasons for this were explained and include volatility in the recyclate market, mitigating for potential price increases price increases, including for the renewal of several contracts, increased insurance costs and the updating of several systems and processes across the Council’s service areas.  It was confirmed that this is not expected to have a detrimental effect on service delivery and performance.

There are significant pressures on the HRA, particularly significant inflation on revenue costs, and overspends and underspends were set out in paragraphs 7.5 and 7.6 of the report.  The outcome of the stock condition survey will help planning for and managing the costs of planned maintenance which will help to limit the extent of responsive repairs.

It was noted that the current procurement procedure rules will be revised to support the key objectives of supporting local, achievable community benefits and the Council’s climate change actions.  It was confirmed that joint procurement was undertaken across the Alliance where possible and beneficial to do so.

Regarding performance; 57% of measures had been improved upon or maintained since this time last year, and the performance framework has been refreshed.  More information and feedback regarding the performance of the planning service was requested, following concerns expressed regarding the timescales for handling of planning applications. The Committee was advised that a full process review for the planning services is being undertaken, which has involved some members, and that the planning service is now fully staffed.  The detail of the complaints handling process was also set out for members.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Fourth Quarter 2023/24 financial, procurement and performance positions detailed in Appendices A, B and C and summarised at paragraph 3.3 of the covering report be noted;

2.    That the Executive be recommended to approve the proposal of reserve movements in Appendix A (paragraph 3.8) and

3.    That the Executive be recommended to approve the proposals to carry forward unspent capital budget as set out in Appendix A (paragraphs 8.5 and 9.3);

4.    That the Executive be recommended to approve the write-offs as set out in Appendix D (agenda item 13 within Part II of the agenda refers)

The Committee considered the Council’s Annual Report for 2022-23, which compare High Peak’s performance and costs with local authorities in the East Midlands region and nationally.

The Chief Executive made a presentation to the Committee which provided a summary of the aims, objectives, priority outcomes, influencing objectives and the priority actions within the Borough Plan; the context and detail of the revised performance framework; and the conclusions of the Annual Report, including key challenges, threats, opportunities and benchmarking analysis.

In respect of the Annual Report, discussion ensured around the volatility of the labour market within High Peak, reasons for the higher than average CO2 emissions, employment and manufacturing issues within High Peak and the economic impact and opportunities of having high commuter levels to nearby cities around the area, which will be addressed by the Growth Strategy. 

The Performance Framework has been refreshed to reflect the new Borough Plan and reviewed following recommendations from the Corporate Peer Challenge and External Auditors’ Annual Report, this included a rationalisation of the number of performance indicators.  Performance measures will be linked to priority outcomes.  Members were requested to feed back any comments regarding the proposed performance targets.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Annual Report 2022/23 be noted;

2.    That the main issues, threats and opportunities for the Council as summarised in Section 9 of the report be noted;

3.    That the findings of the benchmarking exercised as summarised in Section 10 of the report be noted; and

4.    That further work will be undertaken around the Climate Change Action Plan.

The Committee scrutinised the draft Performance Framework and associated targets for 2024/25.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the changes to the Performance Framework as detailed in Section 9 of the report be noted;

2.    That the proposed set of performance indicators and targets as set out in Appendix A be noted, and any comments be forwarded to officers direct;

3.    That the details of the performance measures that are linked to the Borough Plan priority outcomes as set out in Appendix B, be noted;

4.    That the development of the Oflog performance metrics as detailed in Appendix C be noted; and

5.    That the on-going development and an annual delivery plan including the development of milestones of the Borough Plan priority actions as detailed in Appendix D be noted.

The Chair advised that this item had been deferred.

There were no questions to the Executive Councillors

To resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business as there may be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business as there may be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Scheduled 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

RESOLVED:

That the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 10 June 2024 be approved as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive be recommended to approve the applications for the write off of non-recoverable debts as set out in the report.

The Executive Director (Resources) made a presentation around the Efficiency Programme – Asset Management Plan, which was noted.

The procedure around the making of the Individual Executive Decision in respect of the purchase of 20 new build dwellings at High Hill View, Hayfield Road, New Mills was discussed.

The Committee considered a draft IED in respect of the East Midlands Domestic Retrofit Scheme.