Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Leader advised that the proceedings were being audio recorded and live streamed by the Council.

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes from the meeting held on 18 February 2025 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

That Cabinet:

(a)     note the General Fund projected favourable outturn variance of £0.250m;

(b)    note the Housing Revenue Account projected favourable outturn variance of £0.500m to the Major Repairs Reserve;

(c)     approve the variations to the Capital Programme at Appendix E;

(d)    approve the Capital Programme revised budget and financing of £42.162m; and

(e)     note the Prudential indicators at Appendix H.

The Assistant Business Manager - Financial Services presented a report which detailed the forecast outturn position, as at 31 December 2024, for the 2024/25 financial year for the Council’s General Fund and Housing Revenue Account revenue and capital budgets. The report detailed performance against the approved budget estimates of revenue expenditure and income; report on major variances from planned budget performance; and report on variations to the Capital Programme for approval; all in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

Members noted a projected favourable variance on Service budgets against the revised budget of £1.023m, with an overall favourable variance of £0.250m to be transferred to General Fund reserves. The favourable variance of £1.023m on service budgets managed by business managers represented  4.71% of the total service budgets. The Council had been fully compliant with all prudential indicators during the reporting period.

AGREED (unanimously) That Cabinet:

(a)     note the General Fund overall projected favourable outturn variance of £0.250m;

(b)    note the Housing Revenue Account overall projected favourable outturn variance of £0.500m to the Major Repairs Reserve;

(c)     approve the variations to the Capital Programme at Appendix E;

(d)    approve the Capital Programme revised budget and financing of £42.162m; and

(e)     note the Prudential indicators at Appendix H.

Reasons for Decision:

To consider the forecast outturn position for the 2024/25 financial year for the Council’s General Fund and Housing Revenue Account revenue and capital budgets.

To show performance against the approved estimates of revenue expenditure and income; report on major variances from planned budget performance; and report on variations to the Capital Programme for approval; all in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

Options Considered:

Not applicable.

That Cabinet:

a)      review the Community Plan Performance Report attached as Appendix 1;

b)      review the compliance report attached as Appendix 2; and

c)       consider the Council’s performance against its objectives highlighting any areas of high performance and identifying areas for improvement.

The Transformation and Service Improvement Officer presented a report which detailed the Quarter 3 Community Plan Performance Report (October to December 2024). 

The report and accompanying presentation highlighted various projects undertaken by Business Units and performance in areas including Council Tax Support and processing Housing Benefit Claims, rent arrears, the Beacon Centre, recycling and focus weeks, and the new Newark and Sherwood Gift Card.

In discussion, Members noted that with regard to the rent arrears target, an increase in arrears had been anticipated due to the move to universal credit and the delay in new benefits being paid. The new Housing Management system due to be launched imminently, would help reduce the levels through faster transactions.

Members discussed the Beacon Centre, noting the performance targets for occupation and the difficulty setting a target for the centre due to the nature of the churn of tenants, which was to be welcomed as a space for new businesses to grow. The target would be reliant on the tenants predicted growth. The Centre Manager was in regular dialogue with tenants and advertisement and marketing was undertaken to raise awareness of the Centre and to attract new businesses.

AGREED (unanimously) That Cabinet:

a)      review the Community Plan Performance Report attached as Appendix 1;

b)      review the compliance report attached as Appendix 2; and

c)       consider the Council’s performance against its objectives highlighting any areas of high performance and identifying areas for improvement.

Reasons for Decision:

Performance management is used to drive improvement by analysing data and progress against key activities as well as building a picture of the context of performance using district statistics, customer feedback and workforce information.

Options Considered:

Not applicable.

That Cabinet note:

a)      the exceptions to performance of the housing service compliance functions; and

b)      the new format for performance for Quarter 3 2024.25 onwards.

The Director - Housing, Health & Wellbeing presented a report which set out the performance position as of 31 December 2024 (Quarter 3) in the new format with regard to compliance, including actions to rectify identified issues.  The report set out the Council’s performance against the Council’s legal and regulatory landlord responsibilities for a range of building safety measures including fire protection, gas, asbestos, electrical and water as well as summarising details of the Council’s housing stock.

Members discussed the actions taken in relation to fire safety, including fire safety checks and fire door inspections, noting the challenging inspection programme and the need to be able to demonstrate safety compliance. Members were satisfied with the proposed schedule of inspections.

AGREED (unanimously) That Cabinet note:

a)      the exceptions to performance of the housing service compliance functions; and

b)      the new format for performance for Quarter 3 2024/25 onwards.

Reasons for Decision:

To enable the Cabinet to monitor performance and compliance relating to the Council’s legal and regulatory landlord responsibilities for 27 building safety measures including fire protection, gas, asbestos, electrical and water.

Options Considered:

Not applicable.