Agenda item

Leader of Council Annual Portfolio Report

This is the Leader of Council’s Annual Portfolio Report.  The Report contains issues that set the context for delivery of the Leader’s Portfolio.  It highlights achievements over the past year and, outlines the areas of focus for the coming year (see pages 21-28).

Leader of Council Annual Portfolio Report

The Leader of Council’s Annual Portfolio Report contained issues that set the context for delivery of the Leader’s Portfolio. It highlighted achievements over the past year and, outlined the areas of focus for the coming year.

The report was presented by the Leader. The report detailed achievements against the Council’s three key priorities. A second Equalities conference was scheduled to take place in July which would discuss the Action Plan and action points. He detailed the support which had been provided through Northumberland Communities Together and the major investment programmes with the help of North of Tyne and Government funding throughout the County.

Support for business included free car parking and new car parks, support for better public transport and larger projects such as JDR Cables in Blyth, as well as support for skills training.

On value for money, the budget had protected front line services. The elderly had been looked after and education results were very good. Investment was being made to amenities such as public toilets and parks and open spaces and there would be more investment in the environment going forward. There had been significant investment in leisure centres and new schools and while these were not cheap, they were essential to show that the Council was providing value for money.

He was also very pleased to see the way the new Executive Management Team, led by the Chief Executive, had transformed things and were working well as a team and with members.

Councillor Dickinson referred to comments he had made at the last meeting on the Corporate Plan about the need for KPIs to be included. There was nothing in the Leader’s Report to indicate that anything was being measured and he asked when this evidence would be available, and when would the Authority be working on this type of plan.

Councillor Kennedy looked forward to seeing the new public facilities in Hexham which had been long awaited and reiterated the points made by Councillor Dickinson regarding KPIs which would be helpful to assess performance.

Councillor Hill agreed on the need for more detail, particularly on tackling inequalities with respect to social housing.

Councillor Ball asked for more support for Ashington. Whilst people were using foodbanks and could not afford the rent or council tax, she would continue to lobby for this support.

Councillor Scott asked about the investment planned for Waterworld in Prudhoe.

Councillor Dale commented that the draft Statement of Accounts showed that 62% of KPIs were showing red. She felt it was important that this information be included in the Corporate Plan, although it was available on line.

The Leader responded that Cabinet members would each be giving an annual report to Council. He agreed with Councillor Kennedy’s points regarding Hexham and the work which had gone on there, adding that partnership working was very important. He assured members that there would be progress in Ashington and members would be kept involved. Social housing would be discussed at the Equalities conference coming up. KPIs would be published and he hoped to be able to give an update on these at one of the Group Leader meetings. Finally, Cabinet had agreed £1.5m of investment in Waterworld.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.