Issue - meetings

Chief Executive to report.

The Chief Executive provided the Committee with an update on the 21:21 project.  He advised the Committee:

·         The 21:21 project had been based on the Authority’s previous corporate priorities. It had addressed the issues of improving services, customer focus, modernising processes and expanding the online services.

·         It had four themes: Leaning and Transformation, One Site, Improvements to Waste and Recycling Services and Income Generation.

·         The new priorities were Financial Security, Customer Focus, Environment and North Devon Futures.  The new Corporate Plan was more specific around what the Council wanted to do.

·         The Civic Centre had now been vacated by the Authority and the majority of staff were now based at Brynsworthy Environment Centre (BEC).

·         Security had been improved with the implementation of the ID/entry card system and enhanced CCTV provision.

·         The increased availability of online services had not yet resulted in any reduction in the number of phone calls received.

·         The advantages of open plan offices and the teams working in closer proximity.  Communication had improved and the logistics of working together.

The Committee discussed:

·         BEC was now at capacity – with regards to the building/office space and the car parking availability.

·         Should any further expansion be required for the BEC site, North Devon Council would be the planning Authority.

·         The lack of a green travel scheme could hinder further expansion.  There was no public transport route, cycle way, or safe pedestrian route (although walking or cycling to BEC may not be an attractive prospect due to the steep hill).

·         Skype for Business would change the way staff worked and in some cases could eliminate the need to travel between work locations and/or enable working from home.  This could possibly free-up space at BEC for staff from Lynton House.

·         The need to retain a town centre base for the Authority for the public.

The Chief Executive advised that:

·         The Income Generation element of the plan had progressed and a number of properties had been purchased which were being used to provide temporary accommodation for the homeless, rather than using Bed and Breakfast placements.  This was a good example of how designing service improvements around the needs of the customers could also provide savings.  It resulted in families being accommodated in more secure, settled environment and being able to access intervention services if needed.  This work had been featured on a recent episode of ‘Inside Out’ and was being treated as an example of good practice for other Local Authorities. The purchase had been made using a mixture of the Council’s budgets and Section 106 allocations.  The purchase of our own properties had also provided the Authority with long-term capital assets.

·         ‘Recycle More’ had resulted in increased recycling rates, with areas trialling a three week collection of residual waste and weekly, unlimited, recycling collections and food caddy collections.  A paid-for green waste service was also introduced across the North Devon Council area.  Some issues with the roll-out had been created due to its timing.  The heatwave that summer had resulted in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41