·
To select appropriate items from the Cabinet agenda for pre-decision
scrutiny (cabinet reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members)
Decision:
Council Tax Premiums – Long Term Empty Homes and
Second Homes
Following scrutiny the recommendations were
supported to Cabinet.
Quarter 4 Performance Monitoring
Following scrutiny the report was noted.
Revenue Outturn and Reserves Position Statement
2022 23
Following scrutiny the report was noted
Welsh Language Standards Annual Report
Following scrutiny the report was noted
Minutes:
Council Tax Premiums – Long Term Empty Homes and
Second Homes
Members asked that the current financial
environment is taken into account when any decisions are made.
Members added there was a financial impact and
income could be generated if the policy was implemented. Following
consultation, a report will be brought back to committee before the final
decision is made. Any decision will not be implemented until the financial year
the year after next.
Following scrutiny the recommendations were
supported to Cabinet.
Quarter 4 Performance Monitoring
Members requested further information on the
average call handling waiting times. Officers confirmed that a detailed report
concerning Customer Services and Performance was given at a members seminar
earlier this year. As Customer Services is now part of People and
Organisational Development a full review is planned and this will be the first
task of the newly appointed Customer Services Manager and members will be
involved in the review process. There are many factors that affect call
handling performance, the current performance indicator target is 40 seconds
which is a short amount of time when staff are completing other tasks. Members
queried whether the call timing started following the recorded Welsh/English
message or when the phone call was answered? Officers confirmed that the timing
commenced following the recorded message.
Members re-iterated their offer to be involved in the review process.
Members questioned why the mandatory
safeguarding training completion rate was not higher. Officers will obtain
further information from HR and this item will be added to the next Scrutiny
meeting agenda.
Following scrutiny the report was noted.
Revenue Outturn and Reserves Position Statement 2022
23
In relation to the home to school transport
budget, members asked if any work had been carried out during the budget
setting process in relation to the overspend and whether there were other
innovative ways of providing this service. Officers confirmed a range of
strategic reviews on transport were ongoing; the outcome of which will be
reported to members as part of the budget setting process for this year.
Officers are equally concerned regarding the overspend and pressures on the
home to school budget. Members thanked staff for their hard work and the issues
they had recently overcome.
Members were pleased that in relation to out of
county placements, that young people are being educated closer to home and also
commented that it was pleasing to see additional funding for the School Based
Counselling Service.
Members asked for clarification on the movement
of underspend to reserve pots and the reference in the report to ‘capacity to
support regeneration projects’ and queried what the reserve might be used for.
Officers confirmed that the funding could potentially be used for employing
additional staff to assist in temporary pressures. There are various projects
ongoing; these projects include Freeport, Wild Fox and the Global Centre of
Rail Excellence so the funding could be used to provide support for these
areas. There is also the possibility that it could be used for commissioning
external advice in some of these areas if the expertise is not held internally.
It was noted that in May the Cabinet approved the contribution of £200k towards
the cost of the Freeport development so this reserve could be utilised if
required.
Following scrutiny the report was noted
Welsh Language Standards Annual Report
Members requested more information on the appeal
of the authority against the decision regarding Swansea Valley Schools.
Officers confirmed there was no further update at the present time and will
advise members when further information is known.
Members questioned the translation service that
is used by staff and asked what could be offered to members. The Director of
Strategic and Corporate Services confirmed that translation services would be
reviewed to identify where services could be strengthened to improve and
strengthen the use of the Welsh language and translation facilities in house.
Following scrutiny the report was noted