Issue - meetings

Option 2: The Cabinet approves the Performance and Finance Report for the Quarter ended 31 December 2021, and the priority report detail as set out in appendices 1-9, together with the council’s financial position as set out at appendices 10 and 11.

It was noted that this was the first Quarterly performance report based on the new Corporate Plan. There was an appendix detailing performance for each portfolio.

The revenue budget was broadly on balance, and the capital budget was showing some slippage which would be carried forward into the next year’s draft budget.

There were a number of new measures for which there was no data yet, but these would be reported at the end of the next quarter.

Some points were highlighted, which included that there were currently only two known rough sleepers who were receiving support. The council had purchased five flats using S.106 funding to assist with the situation.

Funding of just under £1 million had been received from the Brownfield Release fund to help clear up three council-owned brownfield sites for potential housing.

£2.5 million had been proposed in the budget to start up a property company to start to provide affordable homes for local residents.

Consideration was given to the report which sought the Cabinet’s approval of the Councils performance and financial position for the quarter ended 31 December 2021.

Discussion took place regarding the reduction in staff sickness absences compared to previous years, and benchmarking against other local authorities. Questions were raised in relation to measuring response times to FOI requests.

Questions were raised in relation to child protection, safeguarding, and the local response to the Government identifying the Island as an education “cold spot” as part of its levelling-up agenda. The Cabinet Member advised that this would be analysed thoroughly, and it was agreed that this would be a matter for the Policy and Scrutiny Committee for Children’s Services, Education and Skills.

RESOLVED:

THAT the proposed recommendation be noted.