Agenda item

(a) Service Delivery for Finance and Public Value, Transformation and Business Services, People and Culture, Legal and Democratic Services:

In-Year Briefing

Chief Executive to give an overview, together with Chief Officers/Heads of Service to report;

(b) Service Delivery for Climate Change, Environment and Transport: In-Year Briefing

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/83), attached; and

(c) Service Delivery for Public Health, Communities, and Prosperity: In-Year Briefing

Report of the Director of Public Health, Communities and Prosperity (PH/23/04), attached.

(a) Corporate Services

(Councillor Saywell attended under Standing Order 25(1)). 

The Chief Executive reported the in-year position and the very challenging budget position for the next financial year and the work of the Senior Leadership Team on this, moving Children’s Services out of “inadequate” by this time next year, positive engagement sessions with staff to help inform best value improvement and change and a review of governance.

The Director of Finance and Public Value reported on audit and accounting services and the national problem of getting statutory audits signed off. 2023/22 had now been signed off on an unqualified basis. Budget preparation had started very early this year with significant progress being made through a push by the whole organisation to find savings and meet best value. A standing overview group on future finance was set for the end of November/early December 2023.

The Director of Transformation and Business Services reported on a wide range of the directorate’s work, including:- budget position and savings; important work on resilience against the increased threat from cyber security and the introduction of 24/7 security monitoring including DCC laptop replacement programme rollout commencing January 2024 as part of the security programme;  increases in FOI and subject access requests, ongoing work in customer relations handling complaints across the organisation; property and facilities management progression of £10m  capital receipts working with District Councils to repurpose buildings;   business support’s close working with children’s services to reshape children’s social care; and progress of the apprenticeship programme.

The Director of People and Culture reported on the wide range of strategic and operational work strands and current budget position, including:- engagement with apprentices, care leavers, 0-25 team, staff representatives;  pressures regarding recruitment and retention particularly in areas such as social work; health and wellbeing hub; benefits platform; staff survey responses.  The Chair suggested a masterclass on the Directorate’s work in the future may help to pick up matters in a wider discussion.

The Director of Legal and Democratic Services drew attention to the success of the Registration service; proposed Coroner’s merger to take on work in Torbay and Plymouth through a service level agreement; ongoing Governance review work; legal support for children and adult services and a move to reduce agency staff.  

(b) Service Delivery for Climate Change, Environment and Transport

(Councillors S Hughes and A Davis attended under Standing Order 25(1)). 

The Committee considered a Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/83 on an in-year briefing on service delivery within Climate Change, Environment and Transport. This covered the Planning Team, Highways and Traffic Management (not previously reported via the Highways Dashboard), Infrastructure Development Infrastructure delivery; Waste Management, Transport Co-ordination, and the Environment Group. Discussion included development and viability of district heating networks and how this could be considered early in the planning process with District Councils; levelling up and the Exeter Active Travel Fund time constraints to deliver; flooding issues and climate change affecting highway and planning for new developments to wait for a full report expected on this matter; waste reduction with 40% residual waste recyclable (a concerning 28% being unopened food) was a disappointingly high level and work was being targeted in areas with highest levels. 

(c) Communities and Prosperity - Director of Public Health, Communities & Prosperity

(Councillor R Croad and R Gilbert attended under Standing Order 25(1)).

The Committee considered the Report of the Director of Public Health, Communities and Prosperity (PH/23/04) on the mid-year update with regard to Public Health and health protection, Communities, and Prosperity. The Public Health service had been covered by the Health and Adult Care Scrutiny Committee at its last meeting. The Paper in addition to public health covered Communities which included: Food and Fuel Insecurity, Migration and Resettlement Programme, Community Safety, and also Economy, Enterprise and Skills which included: Trading Standards, Future Farm Resilience Programme, Exeter Science Park, Devolution Pilot, Active Devon, Devon Libraries, Youth Service, Skills and Employment, Careers South West; and Learn Devon.

Discussion included:- support to voluntary youth groups providing a range of support services including counselling, complimenting the work of Devon’s youth service; fuel and cost of living poverty; South Dartmoor example of integrated library services via post offices.

The Chair thanked the Officers for their Reports and discussion with Members, with consideration to be given to any future Directorate masterclasses (as appropriate).