Issue - meetings

Emma Sheridan, Business Unit Leader for Community Services, Policy and Performance introduced the report. She highlighted that despite the challenges of the pandemic the Council had continued to perform well in the delivery of its services, and noted the change of working arrangements, service delivery and new work streams. Any reductions in performance were explained in report along with a few minor changes proposed to performance indicators.

The Deputy Leader highlighted the swift change to agile working practices, new work streams and areas where workload had increased due to the pandemic whilst still continuing with the Council’s normal business activities.  She endorsed the proposed changes as these will benefit the Council.

The Cabinet Member for Customer Services commended the performance of all  teams during the pandemic and noted that Mid Sussex was only one of 12 local authorities to receive the Annual Revenue Grant.  The council was in the minority of local authorities that did not have a shortfall in Council Tax income.

The Cabinet Member for Community highlighted the work of the Wellbeing Team and noted that over 1,000 people had been supported by wellbeing initiatives and that all intervention courses are full. During the pandemic anti-social behaviour cases had risen and crime rates had fallen. People must be vigilant as we return to our normal routines. Local authority searches had increased by 38% during lockdown.

The Leader agreed with the comments of the other Cabinet Members and thanked the officers for their hard work especially when dealing with extra work at short notice.  He also thanked the scrutiny committee for their comments on the report.  He took Members to the recommendations which were agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

(i) Noted the Council’s outturn performance and progress with Council Priority Projects in 2020/21 and identified any areas where further reporting or information was required; and

(ii) Agreed to the minor changes to performance targets for 2021/22 included at appendix B to this report.