Agenda item

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Scrutiny Committee raises with the Deputy Leader or relevant Cabinet member any issues arising from the information in this report, ref CAB3513, which is being presented to Cabinet on the 10 September 2025 and considers whether there are any items of significance to resolve or to be drawn to the attention of Cabinet.

Councillor Neil Cutler, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation, introduced the report, ref CAB3513, Q1 Finance & Performance Monitoring. The introduction included the following points.

1.    The report was the first performance report of the 2025/26 financial year, covering the period from 1 April to 30 June 2025.

2.    The report focused on the progress and achievements made against the priorities of the new Council Plan.

3.    As requested by the committee the report format was the inclusion of historical trends for the Red, Amber, and Green status of projects and performance reports to provide better context.

4.    Several performance highlights were noted, including:

a.    The council was named the best District Council nationally for tackling climate change.

b.    The commencement of the food waste collection rollout in partnership with BIFFA.

c.     The start of construction for the new sports pavilion at River Park.

d.    The delivery of a green business support programme.

e.    The achievement of gold accreditation from the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance.

Councillor Danny Lee addressed the committee to highlight perceived gaps in the council's performance reporting. He proposed the introduction of an integrated Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for estate assets, greening, and climate resilience to cover pollinator-friendly planting, water efficiency, community biodiversity, and embodied carbon reporting. He asked the committee to recommend this to the Cabinet as a significant item for consideration.

Councillor Lee also requested that the committee identify areas requiring additional resources to accelerate the delivery of the Council Plan, suggesting that positive financial outturns could be used for this purpose. His suggestions included a number of matters, including improving carbon savings attribution, developing an overarching master plan for major regeneration projects to reduce risk, and addressing workforce capacity issues in housing compliance and maintenance.

In response, Councillor Neil Cutler, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation, stated that the positive financial outturns were partly a result of project delays caused by a lack of available skills, and not a lack of funds.

The committee was asked to raise with the Deputy Leader or relevant Cabinet member any issues arising from the information in this report, ref CAB3513, which was being presented to Cabinet on 10 September 2025, and consider whether there are any items of significance to resolve or to be drawn to the attention of Cabinet.

The committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the report. In summary, the following matters were raised.

1.    It was reiterated that the basis of KPI targets would be included in the report.

2.    It was felt that there were inconsistencies between the carbon emissions targets on page 85 and the figures presented at an earlier Carbon Neutrality Open Forum. Clarification was sought regarding this and other perceived inconsistencies in environmental data when compared with figures from the previous quarter. provided.

3.    An explanation was sought for the decrease in the number of cleared fly-tips, while the clear-up rate had also slowed.

4.    A question was asked regarding the South Downs National Park monitoring charge Clarification was requested on the increased visitor target for the Sport and Leisure centre on page 90, and what, if any, additional revenue this generated for the council.

5.    Further information was sought on the progress and trends identified from the annual staff travel survey referenced on page 78.

6.    Details were requested regarding the “Staff Heat scheme” mentioned on page 79.

7.    A question was raised about ensuring a joined-up approach between the council’s regeneration work to develop a comprehensive bus strategy for the city.

8.    An explanation was requested for the 'red' status of open damp and mould cases and outstanding high-risk fire assessments on page 107, and what plan was in place to address these issues.

9.    It was felt that there was a numerical discrepancy in the data for homes achieving an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C or above on page 105, and whether the current trajectory for improving homes to an EPC rating of C would achieve the 2030 target.

10.A question was asked about the TC25 programme and whether 100% of the TC25 savings target would be achieved within the original timeframe.

These points were responded to by Councillor Neil Cutler, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation, Councillor Martin Tod, Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Councillor Mark Reach, Cabinet Member for Good Homes Laura Taylor, Chief Executive, Simon Hendey, Strategic Director, Liz Keys, Director (Finance), and Simon Howson, Senior Policy and Programme Manager accordingly.

RESOLVED:

1.    The committee noted the report and agreed on the following comments and recommendations for Cabinet consideration:

a.    That the fly-tipping performance to be reviewed, with a particular focus on the reasons for the change in clear-up rate.

b.    That an update on the trends from the annual staff travel survey be provided to all members

c.     That further information regarding the “Staff Heat scheme” be provided to all members.

d.    That the programme of works to achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C for all council homes by 2030 be provided

e.    That Cabinet considers the development of an integrated Key Performance Indicator (KPI) relating to climate change and the allocation of additional resources to accelerate the delivery of Council Plan priorities.