Agenda item

This report sets out the projected 2024/25 financial position and the performance position for the period covering 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024.

The Head of Service for Finance introduced the report and gave the Committee an overview of the Finance and Performance Monitor for Quarter 2.

The Committee considered the report and raised several questions relating to the Council’s performance, as well as, investigating the data provided. Members enquired about how the data quantified affordable housing and how reliable the data was in relation to this. Officers noted that the data showed an increase in affordable housing supply but that with this including both City of York Council and private developments he would seek to investigate this further and see if additional information can be shared with the Committee.

Members enquired about how the roll out of electric vehicle charging was going and it was confirmed that roll out of more charging points continued and the Council was receiving grant funding from the LEVI programme to support this. The Committee also asked if rent level information could be included within the report and more up to date bus passenger figures. Officers confirmed that they would enquire regarding what additional data regarding rent and buses were available to be included.

The Committee raised questions relating tree planting and tree removals and whether there was currently a net gain within the city. Officers confirmed that they would investigate this and feedback to the Committee on net tree gain. Members also raised questions about the figures regarding waste used for energy recovery and waste sent to landfill which appeared to fall outside of the pattern of data from previous years. Officers confirmed they would investigate the figures relating to waste and feedback to the Committee. Officers confirmed they would also investigate the increase in fatalities and serious injuries in accidents following members enquiring about the increase in 2024/25 compared to previous years.

Members enquired about the challenges in recruitment in Building Control. Officers noted that the Head of Planning was reviewing recruitment in this area and that it was a national challenge around recruitment. Members raised the increase in Universal Credit claimants by 500 and asked whether this were new applicants or individuals that had been converted from old schemes. Officers confirmed that they would investigate how many new claimants were transferred from older schemes to Universal Credit.

Resolved:

                         i.         To provide further information to the Committee on the number of housing building consents in York are for affordable housing;

                        ii.         That information on the trend of private sector rent levels to be included in future finance and performance monitors;

                      iii.         To seek more up to date bus patronage figures and share with the Committee;

                      iv.         To provide further information to the Committee on the gross number of trees planted against those removed and reasons for removal;

                       v.         To provide further information to the Committee around how many people are moving from other welfare schemes to Universal Credit;

                      vi.         To review and feedback to the Committee regarding the amount of waste went to landfill and how much was used for energy recovery;

                    vii.         To provide further information to the Committee regarding the increase in road accidents stats in 2023/24 compared to previous year.

Reason:     To ensure the Committee remain updated on the Council’s Finance and Performance.