Issue - meetings

An opportunity for the Portfolio Holders to provide an update to the Panel on developments within their portfolios and on performance data from January to March 2024.

The Panel received updates from Portfolio Holders on developments within their portfolios and on performance data from January to March 2024.

Cllr Cleary (Leader)

The Leader summarised work over 2023/2024 to conclude the former corporate plan, as well as shaping the performance management framework with a new set of Key performance indicators.

The Leader had continued to champion an aspiration for the Council to be an Employer of Choice, whilst in turn enabling the Authority to deliver the best services to residents through recruiting an experienced and motivated workforce.

Whilst vacancies were not always filled first time, there was a raft of initiatives that HR and services worked on together, to support recruitment in what remained a challenging market. Additionally, the Leader was pleased to report that the Council’s work with Brockenhurst College had been reflected in them awarding NFDC ‘Employer of the Year’.

The Council was preparing prudently for the future, both financially and in terms of service delivery. This was evidenced by the Panel’s consideration of the Transformation Programme business case earlier in the meeting. This included a programme to secure necessary savings whilst meeting customers’ needs through more modern, responsive services.

Cllr Jeremy Heron (Finance and Corporate)

Cllr Heron referred to the budget out-turn and was pleased with the allocation of the interest windfall towards capital projects.  He commented on the tough targets members had set for housing, reflecting the importance placed on this.

In reference to a question earlier in the meeting, he stated that staff were NFDC’s most important asset and that where there were organisational changes, the Council would try to redeploy employees wherever possible.

The Portfolio holder also pointed out the 11 new projects in the ICT work programme, which grew ever more complex.

In response to an earlier question concerning the potential impact of devolution, he reiterated that the Council could not await potential developments from Central Government, and it was important to continue with service improvements. Further, it was confirmed that the Council had written to the former Local Government minister asking for multi-year settlements, emphasising the benefits in stability and operations of longer term planning. He would ensure similar representations were made to the new minister.

When asked about underspends, Cllr Heron explained that budgets were built on financial assumptions, forecasts and estimates. Given the variables, factors and eventualities that could arise during a financial year, it was difficult to predict, though it was preferable to underspend than overspend.