Issue - meetings

This report advises the Executive Member of progress against the service plan targets for housing and adult social services and the projected financial outturns for 2008/9 based on first quarter results

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to note the contents of the report and agree the virements between £100k and £250k outlined in paragraph 21.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED: That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON: So that the Executive Member is briefed on the projected performance and financial outturns for Housing & Adult Social Services based on the first quarter of 2008/09.

Members considered a report that advised them of the progress against the  service plan targets for housing and adult social services and the projected financial outturns for 2008/09 based on the first quarter results.

Officers gave a verbal update and informed Members that:

Ø      the new Arc Light building opened in August 2008 and was delivering an outstanding service

Ø      The impact of the credit crunch on new house buildings was a matter of great concern given that the affordable homes programme was so closely linked to new developments. This could have an impact on homelessness.

Ø      Level of staff sickness had improved and was looking positive.

Ø      Landlord services had shown a steady improvement in terms of reducing rent arrears and the time taken for both urgent and non-urgent repairs.

Melanie Bradbury, Assistant Director of Vulnerable People and Third Sector and John Clare, Assistant Director of Mental Health both from the PCT were introduced to Members.

Members requested an update on the Peasholme Green site and officers stated that things were currently on hold due to the builder going into receivership. This would result in a 2 or 3 month delay with a completion date of March/April 2009. 

Cllr Simpson-Laing questioned the financial variations particularly the increase cost in repairs and maintenance and the cost of retrieving goods from storage. Officers stated that the repair and maintenance increase was a cause of adverse weather conditions which had resulted in more drainage, plumbing and roofing repairs.  Officers agreed that there was a cost to retrieve goods from storage and would e-mail Members the current charges.¹

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to note the contents of the report and agree the virements between £100k and £250k outlined in paragraph 21.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED: That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON: So that the Executive Member is briefed on the projected performance and financial outturns for Housing & Adult Social Services based on the first quarter of 2008/09.