Agenda item

This report sets out the Service Action Plans for the Panel.

Equality Impact Assessments for Financial Plans are available on Council’s website on the following link

http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/communityandliving/equality/Pages/FinancialPlans.aspx

The Strategic Director for Resources – Andrew Pate referred to the fact that Panel members had access to the Equalities Impact Assessments for each service and asked members to highlight any equalities issues in their review of the Service Action Plans.

The Chair looked at each Service Action Plan in turn:

Customer Services

Ian Savigar – Divisional Director gave a short introduction explaining that the service was facing unprecedented change. There were also a number of customer service projects in the next year such as the One Stop Shop at Lewis House. He explained that this was going on alongside business as usual work in the context of the budget savings.

Councillor Nigel Roberts commented that the Council Connect Service was excellent.

The Officer explained that Council Housing Benefit claims increased by 10% on last year in response to a query by Councillor Gerrish.

Finance

Tim Richens – Divisional Director gave a short introduction explaining that the service was being restructured as detailed in the Medium Term Plan. He also drew member’s attention to the change in the way local government is funded (2013/14).

Councillor Gerrish stated that Avon Pension Fund was set out in the Plan but this should be shown separately. 

Improvement and Performance

David Thompson Divisional Director gave a short introduction explaining that the services are changing at different rates and that part of his portfolio was to support people through these changes.

Councillor Laming asked about the statistic that 85% of the population had internet access. Officers explained that this was gathered from a survey but that in terms of specific groups, such as vulnerable people, internet access was a lot lower.

Legal and Democratic

Vernon Hitchman, Division Director gave a short introduction and updated Panel members on the figures (The Full Time Employee figure is 52; 16.5 Legal; 17 Democratic Services and 13 Regulatory). He explained that his overall emphasis was to reduce the level of cost while maintaining service.

Councillor Gerrish asked how often external legal advice was used. The officer explained that the Council does use external lawyers on areas such as Major Projects and High Court Challenges for which they get a 20% discount.

There was some discussion around the Key Performance Indicators, the officer explained that some work is measured such as standard transactions. Councillor Roberts asked to see some information that did not fit into the report template such as the new Standards Regime which has to be implemented.

Policy and Partnerships

David Trethewey, Divisional Director gave a short introduction explaining that the key function is to help the Council with the localism agenda; health and wellbeing and climate change.

Councillor Barratt asked if the service had a proactive role around carbon reduction schemes. The officer explained that the service would not advocate types of renewable energy but worked with the community around solutions.

Councillor Myers asked, regarding the localism agenda, how the service helps people to do things for themselves rather than BANES being responsible. The officer agreed that this was important and this was what the service sought to do.

The Chair reminded the Panel that they would have a report on Carbon Reduction to their May meeting.

Property

Tom McBain, Divisional Director gave a short introduction explaining that there had been increased income through the recession; flexible working implementation and ongoing work on the Keynsham Town Centre Regeneration Scheme. He explained that in the future he would be looking at enhancing capital receipts; the economic climate; a review of trading services and carrying out a zero based budget exercise.

Councillor Paul Myers asked about community groups running community buildings, he explained that there were many opportunities here. The officer agreed but stated that there would have to be a culture change for these community asset transfers. The Strategic Director explained that this was a big challenge and if it was something members felt was worth pushing, the Executive member could take this message away. Councillor Myers stated that he realised it would be on a case by case basis. The Cabinet member agreed and said he was receptive to taking this forward.

Councillor Barratt asked for a breakdown of FTE’s for Property.

Risk and Assurance

Jeff Wring, Divisional Director gave a short introduction explaining about the new bunker where information is stored.

There was some debate around the length of time records are kept.

Transformation

Angela Parratt, Head of Transformation gave a short introduction explaining that the key challenge with the change programme was to maintain momentum. 

Councillor Barratt stated that credit should be given to officers as this Council is often held up as a Beacon.

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The Chair thanked all for attending.  There was some debate around the style of reporting. Members felt that they wanted to know the effects of cuts that had been made.

Members noted the Equalities Impact Assessments which they used in their consideration of the report.