Agenda item

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation is attached.

Councillor Vernon welcomed Councillor Thorpe to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in his new role as Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation. Councillor Thorpe, along with Kate Waterhouse, Executive Director of Strategy and Transformation, and Neil Kissock, Director of Finance, provided an overview of the Quarter Four Corporate Plan Performance Report for 2023/24 and the Productivity Plan submission. The report covered full-year performance, delivery monitoring for the Corporate Plan, updates on priority delivery, key performance indicators (KPIs), actions to carry over to the 2024/25 Corporate Plan, and the Productivity Plan for submission to central government in July.

Councillor Thorpe acknowledged his new role, emphasizing his intent to understand the Council's desired impact, align it with objectives, and challenge Cabinet colleagues on their portfolios. He noted the financial challenges faced by councils like Bury, which rely more on central government grants than council tax revenues and mentioned the new government's commitment to multi-year settlements and the "Let's Fix It Together" campaign, which aims to review council funding levels.

In response to a member's question about the lack of cross-referencing KPIs, Councillor Thorpe committed to including footnotes or references in future reports. He also mentioned plans for a more visual and precise presentation of KPIs in the 2024/25 reporting, linked closely to Corporate Plan priorities.

Addressing the decline in KPIs for the Council’s top priorities compared to 2022, Councillor Thorpe highlighted the focus on improving school performance, attendance, and attainment for children on Free School Meals, supported by the Antipoverty Strategy. Regarding the decrease in business enterprises, he noted the decline reflects national trends due to COVID-19 and economic pressures. The local Economic Development Strategy aims to support town regeneration and promote business opportunities.

Responding to concerns about the time taken to process new benefit claims, Councillor Thorpe acknowledged the need for improvement and mentioned potential investments in new technology to automate processes and reduce pressure on teams. The cost-of-living crisis and the Household Support Fund have increased benefit demand.

Councillor Bernstein raised concerns about the corporate plan’s partnerships in education. Kate Waterhouse emphasized shared values and accountability within partnerships through the "Let's Do It" outcomes framework. Councillor Birchmore questioned the effectiveness of investments in tackling mortality causes. Councillor Thorpe discussed the development of local neighbourhood profiles in the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) and targeted interventions such as smoking sensation and cancer screening programs.

Councillor Gold supported combining the finance and transformation portfolios and suggested additional scrutiny and training for councillors on Team Bury. Kate Waterhouse addressed homelessness, linking it to societal changes and the cost-of-living crisis. Councillor Green sought clarification on the housing waiting list and specific overcrowding cases. Councillor Bayley raised poverty issues, and Councillor Thorpe suggested these be addressed by the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Pilkington discussed the need for agile planning in response to government changes and stressed being ambitious yet prudent to build trust. Addressing the decrease in Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) in Operations and Corporate Functions, Councillor Thorpe explained that increased staffing and investment in social care services were necessary due to a negative Ofsted judgement and to prepare for a CQC inspection. Reductions in other areas impacted capacity but were necessary to deliver £30M in savings over three years.

Councillor Pilkington celebrated community groups like Ramsbottom Civic Pride and their positive impact, encouraging engagement with local groups. The agenda item concluded with a discussion on member development group training and the potential inclusion of Team Bury at a future date.

It was agreed:

1     That the report be noted

2     The Member Development Group to consider a training session on understanding of Team Bury

3     The Overview and Scrutiny Committee provide a suggestion for the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee to consider poverty impacts on Children and Young People.

4     Housing Sufficiency be discussed at housing subgroup