Agenda item

Annual Performance Report 2019/20

To present the report of the Head of Profession (HR) and Transformation.

Minutes:

The Annual Improvement Report for 2019/20 was presented for the Committee’s consideration.  The report which the Authority is statutorily required to publish provided a review of the following:-

 

·      the Authority’s progress in delivering against its Annual Delivery Document for 2019/20 as outlined under 3 priority objectives (para 1.3 refers);

·      its overall performance including performance based on national indicators (PAM indicators and local KPIs).

 

The Leader of the Council highlighted a number of achievements under the 3 key objectives whilst also recognising that there are areas of performance where further improvement can be made.  She referred to achievements the Council has been able to achieve with the refurbishment of Llawr y Dref so as to provide comfortable homes together with the opening of two training flats for young people leaving care.  The Leader also referred to numerous achievements as was noted within the report. 

 

The Programme, Business Planning and Performance Manager said that the Annual Performance Report has been improved and strengthened as case studies has been incorporated into the document which gives evidence and assurance as how the day to day work is having an impact on specific individuals and communities in general. 

 

The Committee considered the report and raised the following:-

 

·      Reference was made to the challenges the Council has as to the result of the Covid-19 pandemic.  Questions were raised as to the extent the pandemic has impacted on the Council’s performance and whether the Council needs to change its priorities and working practices for 2020/21.  The Leader of the Council responded that maintenance work on social housing has not been able to be completed to the required timescales and letting of properties has been delayed due to the restriction in having access due to the pandemic;

·      Questions were raised as to the potential jobs opportunities arising from  the North Wales Economic Ambition Growth Deal.  The Leader of the Council responded that the Elected Members received a briefing session regarding the governance issues relating to the Ambition Board recently and if agreement is reached by the end of this year the Morlais scheme will be able to move forwards as it is the most mature project within the growth deal.  The Deputy Chief Executive that a report is to be presented to the next meeting of this Scrutiny Committee as regards to the Governance Arrangement 2 of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board.  He noted that there will be a number of jobs resulting from the projects within the growth bid when they are operational.  A procurement strategy will need to be in place as regards to the financial strategy to ensure that the supply chain;

·      Members considered that the North of the Island needs to be identified as an Enterprise Zone to be able to attract grants for the growth of employment in the area.  The Deputy Chief Executive responded that work has been undertaken to attract jobs into the North of the Island.   NDA financial support grant has been spent towards small businesses  in the area and further grant application will be made next year for further funding from the NDA and that the maximum grant for each company can be raised to £7,500.  Discussion were undertaken recently at the Amlwch Town Council as regards to the Amlwch area been identified as an Enterprise Zone and Welsh Government needs to support the North of the Island as it has experience uncertainties recently to the future of employment opportunities in the area.  The Portfolio Holder for Major Projects and Economic Development said that having an Enterprise Zone for Amlwch is a priority as it will enable to develop sites in the area but Welsh Government needs to financial support the area to develop the potential projects in the area;

·      Questions were raised as to the financial impact of the pandemic on the Authority and whether WG will support the loss of funding.  The Portfolio Holder for Finance said that some financial resource has been received by WG as to the loss of income from car parking charges, leisure centres.  There will be financial difficulties with people been made unemployed due to the pandemic and thereafter having problems paying their Council Tax.  The Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer said that an application has been submitted for the loss of income in Quarter 1 which was a total of £800k and WG has supported the application.  The application for Quarter 2 has yet to be submitted but it is anticipated that the sum will be lower than Quarter 1 as services offered by the Council were able to reopen and generate income;

·      Reference was made to the process of formulating a recovery plan to address post Covid-19 economic recovery and the partnership working will be essential.  Questions were raised whether the Authority can support the Town Councils strategically for the benefits of the communities across Anglesey.  The Leader of the Council said that it is an intention to reconvene the Town and Community Councils Forum so as to share information and concerns within the local communities. 

 

It was resolved to recommend to the Executive that the final version of the 2019/20 Performance Report be published by the statutory end of October deadline and that Officers complete the document in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for publication as part of the 27 October, 2020 Full Council papers.

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