Minutes:
Claire Nye, Director of Finance, introduced the presentation. The Director of Finance outlined the link between the Relighting Our City agenda, the five priorities and the Council Plan. The plans are intended to ensure that the Council has all the resources, skills, and tools it needs to be a robust and agile organisation and capable of delivering agreed policies.
The Director of Finance outlined the responsibilities of each Cabinet Member for each of the themes under the Our Council Programme. The Director of Finance advised that there would be a short presentation under each of the themes.
The Director of Finance outlined the key portfolio responsibilities of the Cabinet Member for Resources. Cllr Louise Miles, Cabinet Member for Resources gave an overview of the specific areas within her portfolio. The Cabinet Member commented on the huge impact on the portfolio area as result of managing the COVID 19 pandemic and explained the work done to ensure continued effective financial management and governance needed to keep within budget for 2020-21 and achieve an approved balanced budget for 2021-22. The Cabinet Member commented on the range of work done to manage and effectively distribute Government grants to support businesses and residents impacted by COVID.
The Council experienced a major increase in the number of enquiries from residents wanting help will their council tax bills when compared to the previous year. The Cabinet Member advised the panel that the Council will continue to manage its resources carefully and monitor the ongoing impact of COVID 19 on the budget, and the medium-term financial strategy. The aim will be to ensure the Council continues to deliver services to its residents during the COVID restrictions supported by the rollout of technology services that are safe and secure.
The panel thanked the Cabinet Member for Resources for the presentation.
The Chair invited Cllr Paula Brookfield, Cabinet Member for Governance to present her report. The Cabinet Member outlined the key portfolio areas of responsibility, which include governance and legal services. The legal service is self-financed and also generates income by providing legal services to other authorities in the surrounding an area.
The Cabinet Member advised the panel that health and safety issues are monitored and will continue to be in the future. The Cabinet Member commented on the new approach to equalities which is being led by the workforce. Four equalities forums have been set up - gender, maternity and paternity, disabilities group and the LGBTQ+ groups. The work of these forums has been considered to be fundamental in providing the impetus for change going forward. The Cabinet Member commented on the governance and membership of the forums and the positive feedback received from those who have attended about the impact of the meetings.
The Cabinet Member commented on changes introduced to support workforce development and organisational change and how COVID 19 has provided an opportunity to make changes which might not have been considered before.
The work has highlighted and raised awareness about their adapting their skills and knowledge to respond to the different service challenges presented by managing the COVID 19 pandemic and the ability of employees to move across to other areas. This has created a desire among employees to improve and attend training courses to support their learning and ongoing development.
The Cabinet Member commented on the new approach to Councillor induction training which will be supported by a new Councillor enquiry system to report issues. A number of Councillors are involved in the pilot test programme and the feedback will be used to make changes as necessary before a larger scale rollout. This work will be supported by the new Councillor handbook which is currently being developed.
The Cabinet Member commented on the preparation for combined elections in May 2021 and offered reassurance about the plans to make sure that the process is safe for everybody involved in the polling process and also for residents who want to vote either at the polling station.
The Cabinet Member commented on the work done to respond to the challenges presented by COVID 19 such as the loss of traditional venues because of safety concerns or not being able to comply with social distancing rules or their use as vaccination sites.
The panel thanked the Cabinet Member for the presentation.
Resolved:
The panel agreed to note the presentations.