BOROUGH OF KETTERING

MONITORING AND AUDIT COMMITTEE

Meeting held: 21st September, 2004.

Present:	Councillors Beale, Burton, Corazzo, Gordon, J. Henson, L. Henson and Jones. 

04.MA.13	ELECTION OF CHAIR

RESOLVED	that Councillor Corazzo be elected Chair of this Committee for this  meeting only.

04.MA.14	APOLOGIES  AND SUBSTITUTIONS

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Hales, Harrison, Pote and Tebbutt. Councillors Corazzo, Gordon and L. Henson were their respective substitutes.

04.MA.15	MINUTES

RESOLVED	that the minutes of the meeting held on 7th July 2004, be approved and signed by the Chair.

04.MA.16	DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

		None.

04.MA.17	SCRUTINY OF GROUNDS MAINTENANCE (A1)

A report was submitted that set out the terms of reference for the scrutiny of the Grounds Maintenance Service to be held in November 2004.  The report requested members to identify the issues to be covered by the scrutiny, the stakeholders to be invited to give evidence, and what information should be supplied. 

When considering the matter, members requested that it was established if the Northamptonshire County Council had carried out a scrutiny on this matter. It was considered that it would prove useful to take a sample of views from surveys of local residents by way of Citizens/Peoples panel contacts. It was felt that the production of a Service standard leaflet would help to manage customer expectations of the service.

It was further noted that the Grounds Maintenance Manager’s Post was currently in the process of being filled.

Having considered the matter, it was 

	RESOLVED		that:-

			The following information be provided to inform the scrutiny:-

•	Description of what is meant by verge maintenance and how it is funded ;

•	How verge maintenance differs from other grass cutting operations on parks and open spaces;  

•	Recent investment and staffing issues; future needs and opportunities;

•	Known public views and recent feedback;

•	Opportunities for coordination with litter removal and sweeping activities ;

•	Details of cutting undertaken for Schools;

•	How customer expectations should be managed; 

•	What the allocation of extra resources or the re-allocation of existing resources might achieve;

•	Full breakdown of costs of the service.

The following persons be invited to give evidence: 

•	Northamptonshire County Council/Atkins; 
•	Grounds Maintenance Manager (KBC) (if in post);

•	Representatives of 2 Town/Parish Councils;

•	Ward members.

04.MA.18	IMPLEMENTING ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT – PROGRESS (A2)

Members of the Committee received the report of the Audit Commission in respect of the Council’s progress in implementing e-government requirements. The report provided a series of conclusions that indicated that progress had been positive overall, identified areas that still needed to be addressed , and provided key recommendations for a way forward.

Members noted that the report in respect of Risk Management relating to this topic had been deferred and would be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee.

It was also noted that the availability of funding from the government in respect of this activity was being maximised, and that this would lead to the introduction of a Call Centre for the Council in due course.

Training on new initiatives would be provided for both members and staff.

	RESOLVED		that the report is noted.

04.MA.19	MONITORING AND AUDIT WORK PROGRAMME 2004/05 (A3)
	
	Members received a copy of the Committee’s work programme for 2004/05. 

RESOLVED	that the Work programme be agreed subject to the addition of the following reports to be considered by the Committee at its meeting on 23rd November 2004:-

	Risk Management

	Internal Audit Work Programme - Half Yearly report.
	
04.MA.20	DECENT HOMES STANDARD (A4)

	A report was submitted that sought to establish what the Council needed to do to meet the Government’s Decent Homes Standard across its housing stock, and what impact meeting the standard would have on longer term funding, the stock options appraisal and repair budgets.
	
	Members were appraised of the requirements for meeting the standard, and the need for Councils to undertake a Housing Stock Options Appraisal before July 2005. Details of the four options for the future management and ownership of the housing stock were submitted, along with a comparison of the main features of each option.

	The Committee also received details of the Council’s approach to stock investment, particularly by way of its Affordable Warmth and Improvement Programme. Progress on the Council’s Stock Options Appraisal was reported, and it was noted that 90% of the Council’s housing stock already met the Decent Homes Standard, which was well above the national average of 57%. It was also noted that the energy performance of the housing stock compared favourably with other Council’s. Funding to improve the condition of the stock would come by way of Government grant, and revenue contributions from the Council.

	Members were notified of the investment required to meet the Government’s standard, and the type of properties showing the greatest need for improvement. It was noted that around one third of the Councils housing stock had been built prior to 1944. However, it was anticipated that the Council would be able to meet the Decent Homes Standard well before the Government’s deadline of 2010.

	The results of the stock condition survey were being analysed currently. Members were informed of details of changes to the way in which the stock would be maintained in the future.

	Members were also appraised of the means by which the ongoing consultation on theses issues was being undertaken.

		RESOLVED		that the report is noted.

04.MA.21	PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT DATA (A4)	
		
Members had received the Key Performance Information Booklet for September 2004. 

		Members noted the following points :-

•	Members to receive reports on the Summary of key Performance Indicators in both of the submitted formats;

•	Members were appraised of the rationale for setting targets for sickness absence which would be reviewed at an appropriate time in the future;

•	Members asked for more publicity for the improving situation on absence management;

•	Targets for Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour PI s would be reviewed when the new Strategy was introduced early next year;

•	Performance in Development Services was on target to obtain additional planning grant;

•	The Committee’s appreciation of the improvement in performance was to be relayed to the staff in Development Services;

•	An update on Housing arrears was provided showing them to be at their lowest for some years;

•	Council tax collection rates were still on target although the current rate was marginally less than this time last year.

(NB: Councillor Tebbutt joined the meeting at 8.25pm)

(The meeting started at 7.00pm and ended at 8.27pm)

Signed________________________________________________
Chair

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