Issue - meetings

To receive and discuss the quarter 4 Performance Dashboard information for the Economy & Assets Policy Development Group area.

The Group were presented with, and NOTED, a slide * showing performance in the Economy & Assets area.

The dashboards aimed to give an ‘at a glance’ understanding of how services were performing in terms of performance measures, finance and risk. Any measures that were also part of the Corporate Plan were listed in yellow text.

The indicators were presented with current performance, the annual target and a RAG (red/amber/green) rating to indicate whether or not the Council was on track to meet its target. Overall performance was presented in a pie chart which combined the RAG ratings for both the performance and the finance measures.

The following indicators were currently showing as amber or red:

·       The Pannier Market occupancy was showing as amber. This had slipped just behind target in quarter four, however, the period of January to March tended to see the lower occupancy at the market. It was a seasonal trend and a quieter trading period.

·       The PDG outturn was at red and this was due to a significant underspend which was mainly related to maintenance. This had gone back into earmarked reserves to fund future maintenance. The under spend reflected that the asset base was in a relatively good condition. Condition surveys were in place and future planned maintenance would increase.

·       Car parking income was showing as amber and this was slightly down mainly due to lower than predicted permit income during the year. The Pannier Market income was also showing as red with the income being £21k behind target.

·       Capital programme slippages were at red. There were nine projects that related to this PDG and two of those had slipped. One was a building management system for Phoenix House which was currently being scoped and the Cullompton Relief Road which was now well under way after securing funding.

Discussion took place with regard to:

·       Was there anything that could be done to make the Pannier Market warmer in the winter months? It was explained that whilst this was challenging, funds had been put aside next year to see what could be done to improve this.

·       Two significant storms had affected two planned events which had had a negative effect on income figures. This had been extremely unfortunate but had been unavoidable. In addition to this a number of permanent units had been vacant, however, the Group were reassured that they were now fully occupied which reflected well for the coming year. Some of the staffing costs had also been recently reduced. The Group expressed the desire to see this move in a positive direction to be reflected in the Dashboard presented to the next meeting.

·       A Pannier Market Strategy Review was underway and would be led by the Market Team. Updates would be brought to the Group which would include footfall data.

·       Whether the Council could recover any empty property business rate reliefs? It was explained that this would depend on what this was for, whether it was mandatory or discretionary relief. Clarification on this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9