Issue - meetings

To receive feedback from the Participation Groups.

That the 2018/19 Annual Performance Report be approved, as recommended by Cabinet, with the inclusion of a hyperlink on the performance data summary.

The Chief Executive introduced the report to endorse the 2018/19 Annual Performance Report to achieve publication by the deadline.  This was a statutory report providing a retrospective overview of performance against priorities in the 2018/19 Council Plan and assessment of the Council’s objectives in accordance with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

The Corporate Business & Communications Executive Officer gave a presentation covering the following:

·         Format and content

·         Performance Overview 2018/19

·         Progress Overview

·         Highlights

·         Areas for Improvement

·         Well-being of Future Generations

·         Performance Overview

·         Summary Overview

·         Next Steps

Amongst the range of achievements under each theme were the Council house building programme, national recognition of the Progress for Providers project, high waste recycling rates and achievement of planned efficiencies.  Areas identified for improvement were being incorporated into the Council Plan for 2019/20 including reducing the number of days to complete Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) on which progress was already being made.

The Chief Executive said that the slight dip in performance against national rankings would continue to be monitored and that strong endorsement by the three statutory regulatory bodies since the timing of the report should provide assurance.  He spoke about future legislative changes which provided for more flexibility in performance reporting and reminded Members that recurring issues of specific interest in the Council Plan should be submitted on to Overview & Scrutiny Forward Work Programmes.

On achievements in Holywell, Councillor Palmer spoke about positive joint working with businesses on the re-opening of the High Street and the success of Holywell Leisure Centre on which he thanked Councillor Tudor Jones.

The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) agreed to provide a separate response to Councillor Carver’s question on the number of landlords/letting agents not complying with Rent Smart Wales regulations.  He agreed to speak with him outside the meeting regarding concerns about a House of Multiple Occupation and said that the main priority of the Environmental Health team was enforcing housing and planning conditions legislation to ensure adequate living conditions.

In response to a question from Councillor Ellis, it was explained that the areas for improvement related to performance and that high-risk areas would continue to be monitored.  Some risk may remain on residential care provision after completion of work on Marleyfield House, depending on demand levels.  Delayed transfer of care was a continued risk and was unlikely to improve to Green.

Councillor Richard Jones asked whether the risk status on debt levels due to Universal Credit should be lowered in view of the commentary.  The Chief Officer (Housing & Assets) advised that this should remain a Red risk to allow time for mitigation measures to take effect and that it be kept under review.  On infrastructure investment, Councillor Jones asked how the Deeside Plan affected the transport strategy for Flintshire.  The Chief Officer (Streetscene & Transportation) explained that the initial scope of the Deeside Plan had been widened to become the Flintshire Integrated Transport Strategy linking all modes of transport across the County.  A report would be submitted to the Environment Overview  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50