Agenda Item No: 7

Date: 22^nd January 2013

 

To the Chair and Members of the

Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel

 

REGENERATION AND ENVIRONMENT OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PANEL WORK PLAN REPORT 2012/13

 

Relevant Cabinet Member(s)	Wards Affected	Key Decision
The Mayor Councillor B Hoyle Councillor P Coddington Councillor C Ransome	All	None

 

          EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

1.       This report provides an update on progress against the Panel’s work plan.

 

          EXEMPT INFORMATION

 

2.       Not exempt

 

          RECOMMENDATIONS

 

3.       The Panel is asked to:

 

i.        Comment on the revised work plan detailed in Appendix A.

ii.        Note the Annex to Appendix A which details outcomes and impacts of the Panel’s work.

iii.       Receive an update on activities undertaken since the meeting held on 19^th November 2012.

iv.       Note the correspondence between the Executive and the Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel in Appendix B and C regarding Work, Skills and Enterprise Programme Going Forward and Update on Opportunity Centres.

v.       Note the minutes on the joint review being undertaken by Members from the Regeneration and Environment and Schools, Children and Young People ‘To Understand And Address Careers Advice And Guidance To Children And Young People Within Doncaster Pre And Post 16’  attached in Appendix D and E.

vi.       Note the action points for the last Enterprising Doncaster meeting that was held on the 29^th October 2012 in Appendix F.

vii.      Note the Qtr. 2 2012-2013 Performance Report as circulated to Members of the Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel in Appendix G.

BACKGROUND

 

4.       The Panel agreed its 2012/13 work plan at its meeting on 15^th June 2012. This report provides an update on key issues relating to the work programme following that meeting, this is attached at Appendix A. Members are reminded that the work plan is a live document to be regularly reviewed and updated. Annex 1 to Appendix A provides an ongoing summary of issues considered together with the impacts and outcomes resulting from the Panel’s work and this will also be updated on a regular basis.

 

Progress on the Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Work Plan

 

Careers and Guidance Review - ‘To Understand and Address Careers Advice and Guidance to Children and Young People within Doncaster Pre and Post 16’

 

5.       In respect of the Careers and Guidance review, a joint working group was formed with Members from the Regeneration and Environment and Schools, Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel.  Members from the working group attended a series of meetings on the 6^th and 11^th December 2012 to look at a range of information.  The group firstly met with Members of the Youth Council on the 6^th December 2012 then with representatives from the Work and Enterprise Board and partnership organisations on the 11^th December 2012.  The notes from those meetings have been attached in Appendix D and E and the Chair of the group, Councillor Richard Cooper-Holmes will feedback at the Panel’s meeting itself.  Following the meeting, it was decided that a further meeting will be arranged in February 2013,  to find out more about what schools are doing, will look at the role of the school governor and receive further feedback from the Work and Schools Board.

 

OPTIONS CONSIDERED

 

6.       There are no specific options to consider within this report as it provides an opportunity for the Panel to receive an update on its 2012/13 work plan.

 

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDED OPTION

 

7.       This report provides the panel with an update on its 2012/13 work programme.

 

          IMPACT ON COUNCIL’S KEY OBJECTIVES

 

Priority Theme	Mayor’s Priorities for 2011/12	Implications of this initiative
1. Creating a strong, connected and inclusive economy	·   Drive forward the Doncaster economy ·   Get the balance of public and private transport right ·   Promote Doncaster as a tourist destination ·   Regenerate Doncaster's town centres	The Overview and Scrutiny function has the potential to impact upon all of the council’s key objectives by holding decision makers to account, reviewing performance and developing policy through robust recommendations, monitoring performance of council and external partners services and reviewing issues outside the remit of the council that have an impact on the residents of the borough.
2. Developing stronger communities	·   Encourage community harmony and cohesion.  Treat people as individuals, not by reference to labels and artificial groupings
3. Increasing and improving housing	·   Raise housing standards
4. Protecting and improving all our children’s lives	·   Continue to improve education and skills ·   Build on a strengthening Children's Service
5. Improving health and support for independent lives	·   Encourage attitudes of self-reliance, self-improvement and mutual respect within Doncaster communities
6. Tackling crime and anti-social behaviour	·   Reduce crime and all forms of anti-social behaviour
7. Creating a cleaner and better environment	·   Continue to protect the environment from developers, decay and architectural vandalism
8. Internal Transformation	·   Ensure local people get value for money from council services

 

          RISKS AND ASSUMPTIONS

 

8.     To maximise the effectiveness of the Overview and Scrutiny function it is important that the work plan devised is manageable and that it accurately reflects the broad range of issues within its remit.  Failure to achieve this can reduce the overall impact of the function.

 

          LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

 

9.     The Council’s Constitution states that subject to matters being referred to it by other parts of the Full Council, OSMC or the Executive and any timetables laid down by those references the Regeneration & Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel will determine its own work programme (Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 6c).

 

10.   Overview and Scrutiny Panels Terms of Reference – 3, states that the Panel is empowered to establish ad hoc working groups from within its membership, to undertake project and policy development work, to meet the objectives and targets of its annual work plan.

 

11.   Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 15 (a) states that where, in the opinion of the Chair of an Overview and Scrutiny Panel, the matters under discussion are relevant to matters referred to other Scrutiny Panel(s) he/she shall consider to what extent to invite the participation of the Chair and/or other Members of the other Panel in the deliberations.

 

12.   Specific legal implications and advice will be given with any reports when Overview and Scrutiny have received them as items for consideration.

 

          FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

 

13.   The budget for the support of the Overview and Scrutiny function 2012/13 is not affected by this report however, the delivery of the work plan will need to take place within agreed budgets.  There are no specific financial implications arising from the recommendations in this report.  Any financial implications relating to specific reports on the work plan will be included in those reports. 

 

          CONSULTATION

 

14.     A work planning event was held on the 22nd May 2012 with Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Members with a view to developing a draft work plan.

 

BACKGROUND PAPERS

 

15.     None

 

          CONTACT OFFICER AND REPORT AUTHOR

 

Caroline Martin

Scrutiny Officer

01302 734941

caroline.martin@doncaster.gov.uk

 

 

Peter Dale

Director of Regeneration & Environment

.Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Workplan 2012/2013

Regeneration & Environment Outcomes and Impacts 2012/13 (January 2013 Update)

 

DATE	ISSUE/ OUTCOME	COMMENT	WHO	WHEN	IMPACT
22nd May 2012	SMC Options Opportunity for the Panel to consider and comment on a range of options (including a preferred option) for the future management of the Keepmoat Stadium.    The Panel supported the preferred option and made further recommendations including that: -   1.      The Athletics club are encouraged to consider being set up as a trust and in the event that this was to occur, that Elected Members are included as representatives on the board of that trust. 2.      That the Chief Executive of Doncaster Rovers attends meetings of the Regeneration & Environment Overview and Scrutiny  to present on a quarterly basis a progress report including relevant feedback and performance information.	To understand the options being taken forward and have the opportunity to comment on them and make recommendations.	Panel	Cabinet 1st August 2012   Quarterly updates from the Chief Executive of Doncaster Rovers to commence January 2013 subject to availability	Cabinet agreed the final proposals as outlined in the report.   The Chief Executive of Doncaster Rovers to attend meetings of the Panel to present on a quarterly basis a progress report including relevant feedback and performance information.
15th June 2012	Local Development Framework - Next Steps Opportunity for the panel to consider the proposed approach for consultation on the sites and policies development plan document/draft process for dealing with neighbourhood planning and the proposed prioritisation of support for those areas identified within the core strategy as being suitable for most growth and on-going work to consider community infrastructure levy.	To understand the on-going work and proposed consultation and approaches being taken forward in relation to the LDF.  To have the opportunity to comment on the report and its recommendation and make before a decision is made at Cabinet.	Panel	Decision taken at Cabinet 4th July 2012	The Panels supported the recommendations being put forward to Cabinet and made a number of comments which were incorporated into the report which included the proposed approach to consultation.  This included the need to ensure that communities in the renewal towns were consulted via parish /town councils (reflected in paragraph 21) and that it was important that members were aware of the potential housing and employment sites in their wards, in advance of the public consultation (officers will ensure this happens).
	Cabinet Members Portfolio Outline: Peter Davies, Mayor of Doncaster  Development; Transport; Equalities and Cohesion; the Council's Change Programme	To understand priorities and review progress later in year. During the course of the year continue to measure aspects through Quarterly Performance reports.	Panel	June 2012 meeting and quarterly performance reports   Update early 2013	To provide accountability for improvement and improve transparency.
29th June 2012,	Gypsy and Traveller Review To comment and note on a report and  recommendations considered by Mayor and Cabinet on 4th July in relation to findings of the gypsy and traveller accommodation needs assessment and the strategy to meet those needs and the progress of the refurbishment scheme at the gibbons lane site and the extension scheme at land’s end.	To be informed about the Gypsy and Traveller Review.  To have the opportunity to comment on the report and its recommendations and make before a decision is made at Cabinet.	Panel	Decision taken at Cabinet 4th July 2012	Revised recommendations were made at Cabinet which took into account comments made by the R&E O&S Panel.   Agreed at Cabinet that recommendations, following consultation and the cost/benefit analysis to be brought back to Cabinet for a decision as soon as possible to enable compliance with the HCA’s timelines.
3rd September 2012	Work and Skills Update Opportunity to receive information of the private sector led Work & Skills board.	To receive an annual update on the work of the Private Sector-led Work & Skills Board in attempting to improve the Skills our residents have in order to support economic growth across the Borough. To consider undertaking a further piece of work around this area.	Panel	Cabinet 5th December 2012	As part of the recommendations made, the panel agreed to undertake that a joint working group is formed with members from the schools, children and young people overview and scrutiny panel (subject to the agreement of chair of that panel).  this group will include members from both the regeneration & environment and schools, children and young people overview and scrutiny panel
	Performance 2012/13 (Qtr. 1)- DMBC	Continue to monitor.	Panel	Through quarterly report & review	To hold relevant Directors and Cabinet Members to account. Focus on key areas of overspend & underperformance and consider actions for improvement. Identify issues for future consideration.   Ensure concerns identified continue to be monitored.
	Performance 2012/13 (Qtr. 1) – St Leger
	Cabinet Members Portfolio Outline: Councillor C Ransome	To understand priorities and review progress later in year. During the course of the year continue to measure aspects through Quarterly Performance reports.	Panel	September 2012 meeting and quarterly performance reports   Update early 2013	To provide accountability for improvement and improve transparency.
17th October 2012	Cabinet Members Portfolio Outline:   Councillor P Coddington	To understand priorities and review progress later in year. During the course of the year continue to measure aspects through Quarterly Performance reports.	Panel	October 2012 meeting and quarterly performance reports   Update early 2013	To provide accountability for improvement and improve transparency.
	Work, skills and enterprise programme going forward and update on opportunity centres	To understand the current position with regard to the future work and skills support offer within the Work, Skills and Enterprise Programme (Success Doncaster) and also provides an update on Opportunity Centres.	Panel	October 2012 meeting   Potential further updates to be provided on the works, skills and enterprise programme	Following a review undertaken as part of the 2011/2012 workplan, the Panel was brought up-to-date with progress made on recommendations from the review and the wider picture in terms of the Work, Skills and Enterprise Programme.  Recommendations were made based on the information presented at the Panel meeting
19th November 2012	Cabinet Members Portfolio Outline:   Councillor B Hoyle	To understand priorities and review progress later in year. During the course of the year continue to measure aspects through Quarterly Performance reports.	Panel	November 2012 meeting and quarterly performance reports   Update early 2013	To provide accountability for improvement and improve transparency.
	Adoption of the first Council Environment Strategy	As part of the R&E O&S workplan a working group was set up to look at the Environmental Strategy.		Going to Cabinet 5th December 2012	Following a meeting of the working group on the 10th August 2012 recommendations were made by the working group which were accepted and have been incorporated into the final version of the strategy.   The Council’s first Environment Strategy was adopted by Cabinet on the 5th December 2012.
	Adoption of the Doncaster Council Statement of Policy (Gambling Policy 2013)	Statutory Plan		Going to Cabinet 19th December 2012
	Performance 2012/13 (Qtr 2) – St Leger	Continue to monitor.	Panel	Through quarterly report & review	To hold relevant Directors to account. Focus on key areas of overspend & underperformance and consider actions for improvement. Identify issues for future consideration.   Ensure concerns identified continue to be monitored.
22nd January 2013	Update Report from Mayor Peter Davies and Cllr Cynthia Ransome (TBC)	To understand priorities and review progress later in year. During the course of the year continue to measure aspects through Quarterly Performance reports.	Panel	January 2013 meeting and quarterly performance reports	To provide accountability for improvement and improve transparency.
	Place Marketing (Enterprising Doncaster)
	LDF - Sites and Policies DPD
18th March 2013	Update Report Cabinet Member Portfolio Holders	To understand priorities and review progress later in year. During the course of the year continue to measure aspects through Quarterly Performance reports	Panel	March 2013 meeting and quarterly performance reports	To provide accountability for improvement and improve transparency.
	Performance 2012/13 (Qtr 3)- DMBC	Continue to monitor.	Panel	Through quarterly report & review	To hold relevant Directors to account. Focus on key areas of overspend & underperformance and consider actions for improvement. Identify issues for future consideration.   Ensure concerns identified continue to be monitored.
	Performance 2012/13 (Qtr 3) – St Leger

 

 

 

 

Councillor for Edenthorpe, Kirk Sandall & Barnby Dun

 

Home Tel: 01302 880242

Email: Tony.Revill@doncaster.gov.uk

 

 

24 October 2012

 

Peter Davies

Mayor of Doncaster

Floor 1

The Council House

College Road

Doncaster

DN1 3AJ

 

 

Dear Peter

 

Work, Skills and Enterprise Programme Going Forward and Update on Opportunity Centres

 

At the Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting held on the 17th October 2012, the Panel received a report providing a ‘Work, Skills and Enterprise Programme Going Forward and Update on Opportunity Centres’. The report was outlined to Members of the Panel which summarised the current position with regard to the future work and skills support offer within the Work, Skills and Enterprise Programme (Success Doncaster) and also provided an update on Opportunity Centres.

 

Following the discussion, Members of the Panel agreed on the following recommendations:

 

1.               That a response be provided following a Members enquiry made on a budget underspend from the 2011/2012 budget allocated for Outreach Workers and why it was not spent.

 

2.               That consideration is given to utilise those volunteers operating within the new library model more, in order to carry out their role within Opportunity Centres (those located in Libraries) by providing them available funding and complete training.

 

At the Panel meeting, a Member spoke about the experiences of the Opportunity Centre located within Balby Community Library where it had been observed that volunteers were making an effort to service the Opportunity Centre, in the absence of a Customer Service Adviser.  It was felt that volunteers such as those were in need of further support to undertake this additional role and that available funding should be looked at further in order to achieve this.

 

Page 1

Page 2 (Continued)

 

The Panel also raised the following comments and concerns: -

 

·                 Action Plan – Members of the Panel were dissatisfied regarding the lack of progress that had been made taking forwards most of the recommendations within the Action Plan, some of which are outlined further below.  They were also disappointed at the length of time it had taken to bring the response to the scrutiny review that has been undertaken over a year ago to the Panel’s attention.

 

·                 Use of Budget Underspend – Following a discussion around a queried budget underspend, a Member proposed that the money not spent on providing Outreach Workers is spent keeping the stand alone Opportunity Centres open and that efforts are made to find suitable Outreach Workers.

 

·                 Outreach Engagement Model – Regarding the Outreach Service, it was acknowledged that there is a need to link more effectively with the provision that is already out there.  It was recognised that the mobile bus service is a service that is under used and Members are keen to ensure that actions will be taken to look into using a second bus that may be available, maximise the buses potential and ensure that it is promoted and targeted in the most effective way. Some Members expressed concern that Community Safety Advisers are unable to engage with who they would like to, in particular those individuals that are in need of additional support. Some Members questioned the effectiveness of the busses and asked how many people had found jobs.

 

·                 Opportunity Centre Performance – Concern was expressed over the figures presented to the Panel which showed a downward trend in the outputs achieved for people into jobs and those supported into education and training at some Opportunity Centres.  Members felt that these did not reflect how much the top performing centres had achieved and did not take into account the reasons behind the centres with the lower performances. The absence of staff and trained staff, it was felt, was the main contributory factor. Members felt that there was a lack of attention to what made the better ones perform so well and questioned why lessons hadn’t been learnt from the stronger centres to improve the others that weren’t.  One Member believed that the links between the performance of the Opportunity Centres and outreach work are integral and that perhaps some could be improved with Outreach Workers.  It was reflected upon that the positive outreach work that was previously undertaken at Denaby Opportunity Centre is why it performed with the historical highest outputs.

 

·                 Work Programme Providers - There was concern over the performance of the work programme providers namely A4E, Serco and Job Centre Plus.  Some Members expressed concern that A4E and Serco had made no appearances at all Opportunity Centres and Job Centre Plus did not engage with clients and were not present long enough to provide a suitable level of support to those in need of assistance in finding work. It was noted by Members that the list of work programme providers was long and most providers had never been heard of. 

 

Page 2

Page 3 (Continued)

 

·                 Opportunity Centre Staff Training – Members felt that the training of Opportunity Centre staff to undertake their role was a key issue that is in need of addressing in order for them to carry out their role to the best of their ability. Some Members felt that this was a key reason behind those centres which showed lower performances.

 

Overall, Members felt that with regard to the future work and skills support offer, it is about ensuring that those unemployed receive the necessary support and assistance to get them into employment and recognise that there needs to be some kind of mechanism which is sustainable and consistent. 

 

Some Members from the Panel expressed the positive merits of Opportunity Centres and felt that they provided important community engagement but more importantly, an essential service for supporting people back into work particular those who are most vulnerable and who are financially deficient and cannot afford to go to the Job Centre Plus in Doncaster on a daily basis to look for work.

 

On behalf of the Panel, I would like to thank Scott Cardwell, Director of Development and Peter Dale, Director of Regeneration and Environment for presenting the report and responding to questions.  I would also like to thank Julie Grant, Assistant Director Customer Services & ICT, Julie Wilson, Head of Business, Commerce & Tourism, Nick Stopforth, Head of Service for Libraries, Christian Foster, Programmes Manager and Roy Barnes, Work & Skills Client Manager for attending the meeting and also answering questions from members of the Panel.  I therefore look forward to receiving a response from you no later than 26th November 2012 on the recommendations and comments outlined above.

 

Kind regards,

Councillor A Revill

Chair – Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel

 

cc.  Jo Miller, Chief Executive

      Chair/Vice Chair of O.S.M.C.

      Cabinet

      Peter Dale, Director of Development           

      Scott Cardwell, Director of Development

      Julie Wilson, Head of Business, Commerce & Tourism

      Roy Barnes, Work & Skills Client Manager

      Julie Grant, Assistant Director Customer Services & ICT

     Nick Stopforth, Head of Service for Libraries

 

PD/JB

 

26^th November 2012

 

 

Councillor Tony Revill

Chair of Regeneration and Environment O&S Panel

Scrutiny Offices

2 Priory Place

Doncaster

DN1 1BN

 

 

Dear Tony

 

Work, Skills and Enterprise Programme Going Forward and Update on Opportunity Centres

 

Thank you for your letter dated 26^th October 2012, following the meeting of the Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel on 17^th October 2012. I have considered the recommendations and comments raised following the  Panel’s discussion of the report ‘Work, Skills and Enterprise Programme Going Forward and Update on Opportunity Centres’, and I have the following comments.

 

With regard to the first recommendation:

 

1.       That a response be provided following a Members enquiry made on a budget underspend from the 2011/2012 budget allocated for Outreach Workers and why it was not spent.

 

There is no budget assigned in 2013/2014 for work and skills support for individuals, including continuity of the service in the five Opportunity    Centres, currently funded through WSEP.

 

It is my view that any proposed use of the WSEP budget going forward must take full account of the changing work and skills landscape, the greatly reduced resources available to the Council, and the need to ensure a more sustainable and consistent  approach.

 

I note the agreed minutes from the meeting that ‘members were of the opinion that this underspend should be rolled over and further discussions to be held’.  

 

The paper presented at the meeting on 17^th October provided information (paragraphs 21, 35 and 36 of the report) on the budget underspend from the 2011/12 budget allocated for outreach workers, and why it was not spent. With regard to the Outreach & Engagement proposals, following a representation, I asked for an investigation of the provision from an early contract termination. This caused a delay in being able to progress recruitment. Also, at that point, the City Deal came along with its developments such as the Skills Deal and the Apprenticeship Hub, which offer opportunities to deliver skills and job programmes in a different way.        There had been a significant passage of time, and it raised questions over the appropriateness of recruiting the outreach workers for a limited period.

 

With regard to the second recommendation:

 

2.       That consideration be given to utilise those volunteers operating within the new library model more, in order to carry out their role within Opportunity Centres (those located in libraries) by providing them available funding and complete training.

 

I am pleased that the Panel recognises the positive contribution that     volunteers are making to the frontline delivery of community libraries. I    agree that the Council should consider how best to use volunteers, by building on the existing effective practice within libraries and elsewhere within the Council. This will form part of any future proposals for the use of limited WSEP funding going forward. With this in mind, I have asked officers to consider how best this can be achieved.

 

I note the comments made by Panel members with regard to the Action Plan. This was produced when more WSEP funding was available and pre-dated the current work and skills priorities and initiatives, including the City Deal Apprenticeship Hub and the Work and Skills Partnership. It is my view that in order to ensure that actions are aligned to agreed priorities going forward, the Action Plan should be refreshed as part of a wider response to these wider work and skills priorities for Doncaster and used as reference point by Council and its key partners. With this in mind, I have asked officers from both the library service and Success Doncaster to review progress made, and provide updates once the actions for the WSEP going forward are agreed. I am also considering further work to develop a ‘Work and Skills Steering Group’, to oversee and advise on local delivery of work and skills support.

 

I am pleased that the Panel recognised there is a need to link more effectively with provision that is already in place to support people into work and skills. The paper discussed by the Panel on 17^th October identified a number of proposed actions to build stronger links with      relevant provision and providers going forward. Included within these was      a focus on getting more use out of the Success Doncaster mobile bus service. Planned activity with the mobile bus has been significantly       ramped up -  from the 17^th October until the end of March 2013, the bus       will be deployed 20 times across different community locations; 4 of these      20 visits will be targeted specifically at engaging with local business.

 

All engagements with individuals and business using the Success    Doncaster bus are logged, including information on referrals to other provision. Going forward, a sample of clients using the bus will be followed up, in order to provide some information to assess progression          outcomes. However, because there are a variety of potential onward referrals, including to Opportunity Centres, the Work Programme and training or education providers, these may not all lead to a job outcome over time. It may also not be possible to access detailed job information relating to specific clients from these onward referrals, because of having to comply with data protection requirements. Officers are currently investigating how best to capture volumes and information relating to job outcomes from providers. The potential to increase mobile usage and access across Doncaster, through a second bus owned by North Doncaster Development Trust, is also being explored.

 

With regard to performance across the Opportunity Centres, the report considered by the Panel on 17^th October, and subsequent discussion, confirmed that this varies greatly. While this may be in part due to factors          around staff resources and training, the performance achieved overall        since the Opportunity Centres were set up is low. Therefore, I am considering further work to identify a more sustainable delivery model, which makes best use of the very limited WSEP resources available to   the Council, builds on the best practice (including that identified from the       best performing Centres and the use of volunteers in libraries), provides sufficient training for frontline staff and harnesses the wider resources available through working with partners.

 

I note with interest the Panel’s comments with regard to the Work Programme providers and Jobcentre Plus. It is my understanding that Jobcentre Plus is very supportive of the Council’s approach to providing        easily accessible work and skills support, evidenced through its membership of Business Doncaster, involvement on the Work and Skills Partnership Board, and the work in partnership with Opportunity Centres. This provides the Council with an opportunity to develop these relationships further.

 

The resources currently available to the Work Programme providers, and Jobcentre Plus, to support local residents into work, are much greater than those of the Council.  However, these resources fall outside of the direct control of the Council.  I agree there is a need to maximise the use and impact of these external resources for the benefit of Doncaster. With this in mind, I have asked officers to initiate a dialogue at strategic level, in order to review existing activity and further develop stronger operational links.

 

Reports on the way forward for the WSEP will be considered by Executive Board and Cabinet during December 2012 and January 2013.

 

In summary, I would like to thank the members of the Panel for their time and consideration of these issues. 

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Peter Davies

Mayor of Doncaster

 YOUTH COUNCIL MEETING

 

6^TH DECEMBER, 2012

 

PRESENT:

 

17 Youth Councillors

Deborah Burton, Active Involvement Co-ordinator/Young People's Training Co-ordinator

Linda Hardy, Active Involvement Co-ordinator/Volunteer Co-ordinator

Councillors Yvonne Woodcock, Doreen Woodhouse, Alan Jones, Richard Cooper-Holmes and Monty Cuthbert.

Councillor Ros Jones – Observer

 

Questions presented to and responses from the Youth Council are detailed below.  At the conclusion of discussion, the Youth Council requested an update on the outcome of the review, as this would feed into work on Curriculum for Life being undertaken by the Youth Parliament.

 

KEY POINTS RAISED

 

• Advised where to go to through school;

 

• All young people know to approach Connexions for careers advice and guidance – on numerous levels e.g. Groups, individual and class based;

 

• Social media is an excellent source of information but young people need the drive to use this mechanism;

 

• Wish to see more information offered at schools and libraries;

 

• Would like more one to one discussions;

 

• Too much general information, needs something more personalised;

 

• Not enough support when go to college;

 

• Generally young people did not feel prepared for work and wished for more work experience, but in the current climate this was difficult, even voluntary work;

 

• Felt biggest gap was students did not know what they wanted to do when they left school, so were unable to prepare themselves;

 

• Instilled that they must achieve good English and Maths GCSE grades.  School pressure to achieve good grades but do not look at practical life working skills;

 

• Lack of understanding what the labour market needs but it was essential to be hard working, motivated and had experience;

 

• No sufficient knowledge and were not aware of national skill requirements – information is sought by own research;

 

• University is pushed to everyone with not enough vocational/apprenticeship opportunities;

 

• Lot of emphasis on vulnerable students;

 

 

QUESTIONS TO YOUTH COUNCILORS

 

Question 1- What Careers Advice and Guidance do you receive?

 

Response:

 

Connexions go into schools to offer advice, generally at the yearend for years 9 (plus) and occasionally throughout the year.  Some schools used to have a dedicated connexions office but this has been removed but replaced with a school careers facility.

 

Classes on business studies in industry.

 

Careers advice not available in college – only course based.

 

Question 2.  What is offered to you and how? i.e. school or other mechanisms e.g. Parents/Carers/website/social media?

 

Response:

 

Through schools, teachers (i.e. form teacher and career teacher) parents, useful website, Facebook (general), Facebook (Connexions), media, local newspapers. 

 

The Youth Council was currently updating its Facebook page and careers advice was something they would be considering to include. 

 

CVS – through appointment system.

 

Make appointments to see careers officers through Connexions

 

 

 

Question 3.  Do you know where to go to if you have questions about future career?

 

Response:

 

Majority Yes.

 

Yes – Connexions.  Wished for more dedicated service from Connexions rather than visits every now and then.  There was concern that Connexions in town was closed in the evening when school finished although it was open Saturday morning until 12noon.

 

Advised through school who to approach. 

 

YMCA – but not the first point of contact.

 

Some unaware of information available outside school.

 

Question 4.  Is it enough?

 

Response:

 

Mixed response.

 

Advice and information was available but it was also important to note that social media was an excellent source of information.  It was easy to research yourself but must have the drive to do this.

 

Question 5.  What would you like to be receiving?

 

Response:

 

Wished to see more advice offered in schools and local libraries.

 

One on one discussions

 

More work experience

 

Question 6.  How should things be done differently?

 

Response:

 

Not enough information outside school.

 

More advice and recognition with after school support from teachers and connexions. 

 

More personal assistance.

 

Connexions offered a texting system with responses being received within 3 days.  Some young people thought this was too long a period, but others thought it was reasonable due to some responses requiring detailed answers.

 

Increased used of information provided through the internet and social media.

 

Question 7 - Do you feel prepared?

 

Response:

 

Mixed response.

 

Generally No.  Wish for more work experience and support with the direction that that needs to be taken.

 

Not enough links to college and businesses.

 

Not enough support beyond school

 

Make sure they have good grades in English and Maths – fear of grades for university.  How much will university cost?

 

Biggest gap is students who don’t know what they want to do.

 

Need to feel prepared and think ahead – need life skills – finance – university – work.

 

Not aware of entitlements.

 

Work experience

 

It was expressed that in some schools it felt like it was not a priority and you were placed anywhere, rather than somewhere that offered you an insight into what you were interested in. 

 

Not all schools offered work experience.

 

Applications to places that young people had arranged themselves were not processed quickly enough and placements were falling through.

 

Voluntary work was a good place to gain work experience.

 

Question 8   How do you feel about the options that are presented to you? (E.g Apprenticeships, Vocational Qualifications, University, training etc)

 

Response:

 

Offered information on a number of areas, vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, university.  Too many options with no personalisation.

 

Lack of apprenticeship/vocational courses.

 

University is pushed to everyone

 

Assessed on projected results and the most appropriate career pathway is presented to young people.

 

Needs to be more personal/tailored different learning styles not catered for.

 

 

Question 9.  Do you feel they are favoured in any way, do you feel that more emphasis is given to one option over another?

 

Response:

 

Varied

 

Too much emphasis on vocational employment and apprenticeships.  Specifics mentioned animal care, child care, beauty therapists.

 

More emphasis is placed on vulnerable students.

 

Not informed of the skills required locally or nationally but it is impressed that English and Maths is essential.

 

Some young people were aware of what was required in New Zealand and Australia, egg. engineers and construction workers.

 

Questions 10 - Are you dealt with individually? Do you have a Mentor?

 

Response:

 

Class, small group and individual discussions.

 

Some individual mentors but very few.

 

Some vulnerable students have mentors.

 

Question 11 - is advice and guidance tailored to your personal choices or what skills required in by the business community?

 

Response:

 

Mixed.

 

Areas that a young person is interested in, is researched.

 

Some say it isn’t worthwhile – provided with random print outs that do not help.

 

Question 12 - Do you know what business are looking for (locally or nationally)

 

Response:

 

Lack of understanding what the labour market needs but it was essential to be hard working, motivated and had experience which young people did not have. 

 

No sufficient knowledge and were not aware of national skill requirements – information is sought by own research.

 

Aware need workers for construction, pubs, Frenchgate shops, Morrisons and Amazon.

 

Academics.

 

Need English and Maths

 

Question 13 - Do you feel confident about making the right decisions about the future?

 

Response:

 

Mixed – maybe.

 

Most of the time but there is always fear of the unknown.

 

Safety nets provide confidence.

 

School pressure to achieve good grades but don’t look at practical life working skills.

 

Question 14 - Do you know where to go to get a job?

 

Response:

 

Yes – Internet, newspapers, free ads, job centre.

 

Question 15 - Do you know what training is available to you to make sure you are skills ready to be able to take a job?

 

Response:

 

Mixed.

 

Yes – school advise.

 

Youth Council assists.

 

 

Question 16 - Do you know feel prepared to find appropriate training and employment?

 

Response

 

Mixed – with one to one help feel more prepared.

 

No – too young.

 

Additional information

 

Employment prospects

 

There was no clear aspiration as the young people were very aware of the lack of employment and constant redundancies.

 

Youth Parliament

 

Youth Parliament was in the early stages of investigating Curriculum for life – preparation for work. 

 

Job Centre

 

One young person explained the wish to receive training through the job centre and to do this had to sign on and attend interviews, as if receiving benefits.  Because the young person was unable to attend meetings at the job centre due to undertaking voluntary work, was removed and subsequently missed out on training.

 

Visits from Universities

 

Some young people had received visits from universities to explain about the funding system.  They did not discuss courses and what the young people thought was important i.e. Grades required for subjects and how to succeed in securing a place.

 

Bullying

 

Students mentioned that they wished to see harsher punishments for bullies.

 

 

 

  Careers and Guidance Meeting

R&E/SC&YP Joint Working Group

11^th December 2012, 10am, Mansion House

 

Attended by: -

 

Councillors: -

 

·             Richard Cooper-Holmes (Chair) - DMBC (R&E O&S)

·             Yvonne Woodcock - DMBC (R&E O&S)Yvonne Woodcock

·             Doreen Woodhouse -DMBC (SC&YP O&S)

·             Alan Jones - DMBC (SC&YP O&S)

·          Nuala Fennelly - DMBC (R&E O&S)

·             Monty Cuthbert - DMBC (R&E/SC&YP O&S)

 

DMBC Officers

 

·             Jayne Vose – Head of Service for Learner Engagement

·             Lee Tillman – Policy & Partnerships Officer

·             Pam Bolderson – Head of Connexions/IAG Lead

·             Deborah Burton – Active Involvement Co-ordinator/Young People's Training Co-ordinator

·             Linda Hardy – Active Involvement Co-ordinator/Young People's Training Co-ordinator

·             Caroline Martin – Scrutiny Officer

·             Chris Rothwell – Scrutiny Officer

 

External

·             Ian Hanks – External Relations Manager, South Yorkshire District (Job Centre Plus)

·             Phillip Harris – Chief Executive, Doncaster Chamber

·             Dan Fell – Deputy Chief Executive, Doncaster Chamber

·             Andrew Best – Partner, HSR Law

·             George Trow – Principal, Doncaster College

 

Purpose:

 

To gather evidence for the following review: -

 

To understand and address Careers Advice and Guidance to children and young people within Doncaster Pre and Post 16

 

Background Information and Statistical Evidence

 

The Panel was presented with Background Information and the Current Picture.  Hand-outs that had been circulated with the agenda including: -

 

·                 Provision Mapping Information (16-19 Provision and 19-24 Apprenticeship data).

·                 Labour Market Information (LMI) Survey - Doncaster’s Approach to Skills from 2013- (Feedback from Work and Skills Board: 30 November 2012)

·                 Definition of Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG)

·                 Regeneration And Environment Overview And Scrutiny Update On Work and Skills Partnership

·                 Careers Advice and Guidance Presentation covering

o   CEIAG Landscape (Primary/Secondary/Post 16)

o   Children in Care/Leaving Care

o   Recommendations

o   What else could we do?

o   Future Challenges

 

Provision Mapping Information (16-19 Provision and 19-24 Apprenticeship data)

·                 An overview was provided of the current situation in terms of Careers, Advice and Guidance and there was a detailed discussion about the Provision Mapping Information (outlining where young people go post 16) including the following: -

 

o       Statistical information showing that post 16 the number of young people classed as NEETS (Not in Education Employment or Training) was 6% for post 16 and 2.8% not known.

o       That in Doncaster there approximately 62% who are in the sixth form, this is almost double of those not in the sixth form post 16 due to the high number of sixth forms in place.  It was commented that there needs to be a valid alternative for those young people for whom the sixth form is not a valid option.  It was later commented that some young people are making the right choices after 16 but that there are others who are not and have to go back and begin again after 17.  Concern was raised about the Governments plans to increase the participation age to which all young people in England must continue in education or training (requiring them to continue until the end of the academic year in which they turn 17 from 2013 and until their 18th birthday from 2015).

o       That young people are travelling outside of the Borough, although it was acknowledged that individuals will naturally go to the closest location to where they live such as which college they choose to go to. For example, Don Valley is approximately one mile outside of a DN postcode and therefore shows Doncaster residents going outside of the Borough to continue their education although it is likely because it is the nearest.

o       Regarding the table on Page 8 presenting the Further Education Provision Mix for Resident Learning Aims data, it was commented by one Member that the figures may be indicative of how much effort schools are preparing young people in the pre-16 age groups.

o       The table on Page 10 outlining a Combined Provision Mix was discussed and Members requested a breakdown of the subjects under ‘Not Applicable’ as it showed a high number

 

Action: Breakdown to be provided under ‘Not Applicable’ classification.

 

Labour Market Information (LMI) Survey - Doncaster’s Approach to Skills from 2013- (Feedback from Work and Skills Board: 30 November 2012)

 

·       A recap of the Work and Skills Board was provided and Members were informed that the Board was set up earlier in 2012 and was about bringing together a greater understanding of the current issues and work towards breaking down barriers.  Part of work has involved talking and working with employers and stakeholders to identify what their needs are in the current economy in terms of skills and employment. 

·       Work has also included working on a framework and the purchase and implementation of a portal to provide better access for pre 16 age groups for careers, advice and guidance.

·       The Labour Market Information survey results were presented to the group and Members were informed that out of 6,000 businesses contacted 613 (13%) completed the survey.  The information presented to the group showed which areas/subjects the local economy are looking for from potential candidates. 

 

The following observations and comments included: -

 

o  In terms of high end skills, the numbers of individuals in Doncaster who have an engineering background were questioned as some Members felt that the skills levels for this sector were still available.

o  That Doncaster only has a low number of its own graduates and many leave Doncaster to train and look for employment outside of the Borough.  It was acknowledged that local opportunities for graduates are low.

o  It was also noted that many graduates who move away from Doncaster do not stay or return as they do not find Doncaster an attractive place to live.

o  It was recognised that it is very difficult in current climate to find work and that it was a very competitive and set against the backdrop of benefit changes.

o  There was a brief discussion on apprenticeships and there were a number of views expressed.  Observations were raised on whether the issue of apprenticeships was merely the current ‘vogue’.  From a private sector let point of view, it was noted that for a business, an apprentice will not ‘hit the ground running’ and it was commented that a business may benefit more from a higher level skilled graduate who will also gain more work experience.  It was also noted that apprenticeships generally engage more with younger people and offer a financial incentive.

o  It was noted that we need to think about what Doncaster economy looks like.

o  Regarding the labour market, the group was informed that although there is the perception that there are no jobs, this is not necessarily the case.  In terms of the Doncaster labour market, it was outlined that it is heavily influenced by many agency jobs but that those jobs although temporary could lead to permanent employment and enable individuals to gain more work experience and therefore be more marketable.

 

Youth Council Meeting Feedback

 

At the meeting information was provided in relation to the questions and responses from the Youth Council which are detailed below.  It was also noted that the Youth Council requested an update on the outcome of the review, as this would feed into work on Curriculum for Life being undertaken by the Youth Parliament.

 

The following key points from the information provide and meeting included: -

 

·             Advised where to go to through school;

·             All young people know to approach Connexions for careers advice and guidance – on numerous levels e.g. Groups, individual and class based;

·             Social media is an excellent source of information but young people need the drive to use this mechanism;

·             Wish to see more information offered at schools and libraries;

·             Would like more one to one discussions;

·             Too much general information, needs something more personalised;

·             Not enough support when go to college;

·             Generally young people did not feel prepared for work and wished for more work experience, but in the current climate this was difficult, even voluntary work; 

·             Felt biggest gap was students did not know what they wanted to do when they left school, so were unable to prepare themselves;

·             Instilled that they must achieve good English and Maths GCSE grades.  School pressure to achieve good grades but do not look at practical life working skills;

·             Lack of understanding what the labour market needs but it was essential to be hard working, motivated and had experience;

·             No sufficient knowledge and were not aware of national skill requirements – information is sought by own research;

·             University is pushed to everyone with not enough vocational/apprenticeship opportunities;

·             Lot of emphasis on vulnerable students;

 

Comments from Members included: -

 

o  It was agreed that the views of the Youth Council mirrored those of the business community and that it was the section in the middle that caused a problem.

o  It was noted that post 16, young people know where they are going but when it is post 19 that they found it difficult to decide what happens next and only appeared to know about the Job Centre Plus at this point.

o  Regarding apprenticeships, it was commented that these did not necessarily lead to jobs.

o  A Member commented that the skills young people will gain are most likely to be the ones that they will have during their life.

o  It was also commented that sometimes the brightest children were those that received the least help.

 

During the meeting the following comments were also raised and have been categorised for ease.

 

Not in Education or Employment and Training (NEETS)

 

·             It was acknowledged that in respect of NEETS (Not in Education or Employment) significant steps had been undertaken.

·             In respect of the age group 19-24 year olds who are classified as NEETS there are actually a number of these who have Level 3 Education and waiting for employment. 

 

Young People

 

·             It was noted that it was not always about the young person’s own decision and that on occasion they are influenced by another person such as a family member or teacher etc.

·             It was commented that those young people who are not academic do not necessarily know what they want, how to get there and also feel that there is nothing out there for them.

·             It was also felt that Young People are not quite as realistic as they should be about the opportunities out there.

 

Schools

 

·             It was commented that it is important to get the messages into schools at a very early stage.

·             A Member raised concern that there are disaffected children who are never going to achieve GCSEs and also those that will go from school to ‘A ‘Levels and then to University but have no idea about what to do or what is needed.

·             Concern was also expressed about those responsible for providing the necessary guidance and advice to young people in schools and felt that teachers were in need of more life experience in order to carry out this role, it was also questioned whether Teachers should be undertaking that role at all.

·             It was observed that young people are not aware of whom the major businesses are in Doncaster and what they have to offer and some Members felt that businesses needed to start going into schools.

·             One Member questioned the utilisation and benefit of Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education in schools.

·             It was noted that schools were being more reactive and also don’t have the resources in place.

·             A Member expressed concern that as a local authority we were unable to provide the link with schools and employments.

·             The potential role of parents was referred to and it was commented that they were an untapped resource that would be of no cost.

 

Children’s University

 

·             There was a conversation about Children’s University and an explanation was provided to Members about what they are and what they entailed.  It was outlined that it had been running for 6 years although more had accessed it in the last few years, that of 500 primary schools, 13 engage with the scheme and that although secondary schools are invited to participate, none have chosen to so.  Members of the working group commented that they had not been made aware of this provision, asked why Councillors aren’t involved and asked for further information to be circulated.  It was explained that it had been reported in the press and that Officers and some Members had been involved or made aware.

·             It was suggested that it could go through the Governors Support function and get it into the leadership newsletter.

 

Action: To obtain further information on Children’s University’s that could be circulated to Members.

 

 

 

 

Post 17

 

·             It was suggested that perhaps more thought should be given to the changes that occur educationally Post 17 for those who have made decisions made at 16 plus which not worked out.

·             Reference was again made to the concerns about raising the participation age.

 

Pilot Scheme – Placements

 

·             The group was informed about an exercise that had taken place where 60 students had gone through a reality based selection proves which had resulted in 3 ‘mini internships’ where all had resulted in positive feedback and 1 had a potential job.  Concern was raised by some Members about the 57 students who were not successful in gaining a place and were informed that the idea had come out of the private sector and that businesses were getting more disappointed with the quality of the young people being placed on work experience.  It was noted that perhaps the experience for those 57 students not chosen could be used in a positive way for example, being about the selection process and that  jobs are not readily available in the real world and that employers benefited from having a young person that was more suitable and ready for the placement.

 

Our Role as a Local Authority

 

·             It was noted that as a local authority, we have a strategic leadership responsibility and need to use the powers that we have in place as there is no provision in place

·             It was believed that there are lots of people working in silos and need to start communicating more effectively to become more aware of what one another is doing.

 

Doncaster College

 

An outline was provided on the work of Doncaster College and some highlights included: -

 

·             That Doncaster College was a good college that has been operating financially for the last 2 years.

·             That there is a special team for Looked After Children.

·             It should be recognised that some will end up leaving the area.

·             It was felt that there should be skills/employment base within Doncaster.

 

Job Centre Plus

 

The following comments were made by Ian Hanks of Job Centre Plus

 

·             The group was informed that Job Centre Plus does play a role although they don’t offer guidance they do signpost where needed.

·             There are a handful of young people who are seeking Job Seekers Allowance at the ages of 16/17 through hardship.

·             It was outlined that for the 18-24 age range that this group is more difficult as there are remote packages made available through youth contracts.

·             Regarding jobs, it was acknowledged that there are individuals who will avoid it but the vast majority do want to work and it’s about how they can be helped.

·             From October 2012 due to new conditionally and sanctions regime there are individuals who will want to avoid losing benefits.

·             They also invite partnership organisations in to work with as it’s recognised that they cannot work alone.

·             That their focus is about getting people off the register and focus more on individuals getting a job rather than establishing a career.

·             Some of the areas that they are involved in include young people - interventions, group sessions, apprenticeship schemes, CV preparation, and basic interview techniques and are currently developing group sessions for 50+.

·             It was also noted that they are unable to go into schools (although can be done with prior appointment)

 

Other Challenges

 

·             That young people are going to be receiving objective information, advice and guidance

·             That positive steps are taken to establish the right mechanism and creating a framework to achieving a quality offer from having such an ad-hoc process in place.

·             To think about what can be achieved through no additional costs.

·             A Member emphasised that it was important to get the mechanism right and get expert advice to young people through other avenues such as charity organisations and Youth Clubs.

·             It was commented that in respect of what schools are providing heads are placing a cost on what they can provide.  It was suggested that perhaps Governors should be questioned whether this is sufficient for young people.

 

Future Work

 

·             That meetings are taking place with schools to identify what exactly they are providing.

·             That further work is being undertaken to look at employer led approaches and that discussions are being undertaken about what the framework may look like. Andrew Best, HSR Law as a representative of the Work and Skills Board will be meeting with businesses to gather a business perspective and establish how we can work together.

·             Regarding the way forward, it was suggested that there should be an entitlement through all providers and schools such as Barnsley.

 

Next Steps

 

After further discussion with the working group following the meeting, it was decided that there needs to be a further meeting with representation from schools, further information on the role of Governors, feedback from the Private Sector meeting and more information on the Barnsley model.

 

 

Action Points from Enterprising Doncaster Board Meeting 29^th October 2012

 

Attendees:

 

Jon Whiteley (Lead: Economic Linkages)                                                Chair

Malcolm Cowing (Lead: Common Economic Factors)                        Vice Chair

Jim Wren (Housing Champion)

Nigel Brewster (Work and Skills Champion)

Peter Davies (Economic Portfolio Holder/Mayor)

Scott Cardwell (Assistant Director for Development)

 

Emma Butler (Economic Policy Officer)

 

Apologies:

 

Tracy Harwood (Interim Assistant Director Strategic Housing)

Peter Dale (Director for Development)

Jo Miller (Chief Executive, DMBC)

Barbra Hoyland (Portfolio Holder, Housing)

 

Previous Actions

 

No previous actions were discussed following the restructure and refocusing of work.

 

New Actions

 

 

Regeneration & Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel

Performance Information – 2012/2013 Quarter 2

Briefing Note

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.               This report presents the Regeneration & Environment Directorate financial and performance information for quarter 2 of this financial year 2012/13.

2.               The Directorate is projecting an underspend of £266k, this is an improvement on the Q1 projection of  a £316k overspend. .

3.               The forecast Capital spend for 2012/13 is £125.63m, a decrease of £1.38m from the Quarter 1 estimate.  This is mainly due to the re-profiling to 2013/14 of a number of schemes.  The White Rose Way and CCQ Schemes are progressing well and the FARRRS expenditure profile will be revised due to the delay in starting phase 2 works. 

4.               Progress against Corporate Plan objectives has continued the positive trend of the previous quarter.

5.               Further details on the projected year-end position for revenue and capital and performance progress against the Council’s Corporate Plan objectives are provided in the remainder of this report and in Appendix A

FINANCIAL POSITION

 

Revenue

 

6.               The revenue budgets in Regeneration & Environment are projected to underspend by £266k; this is after £689k of recurrent underspends in specific areas being transferred to CYPS.  The main underspends are Environment £351k, Development £194k and Trading & Support Services £86k with the main overspend on Strategic Housing £331k.  The trading accounts are projected to underachieve their budgeted surpluses by £40k mainly due to overspends on Metroclean £392k, coupled with underspends on Markets £224k and Public Building Maintenance generating additional income of £171k.

7.               A summary of the variances for quarter 2 for 2012/13  for the Regeneration & Environment Directorate are provided below, further detail on all the variances is provided in Appendix A.

	Gross Budget £m	Net Budget £m	Year-end Variance £m	Variance as a % of Gross Budget
Regeneration & Environment	79.16	46.44	-0.26	-0.3%

 

8.               Other significant variances are outlined below:

Significant variances at quarter 2	£m
Underspends:
Waste and Recycling - Includes collection underspend of £168k, partly due to reduction in contractor's costs as a result of the Sterecycle closure & disposal underspend of £321k due to reduced tonnage and the alternative provider being cheaper than the Sterecycle contract.	-0.57

 

9.               Virements are set out for approval per the financial procedure rules.  The following virement is included in the position presented and are subject Cabinet approval:

	Description	Directorate	£m
1	CAPITAL - Movement of projects within parks from R&E to A&C Capital Programme to reflect project lead by Area Managers.	R & E (Capital)	0.99
		A & C (Capital)	-0.99

 

Housing Revenue Account

10.           The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget changes at quarter 2 reflect the use of £1.8m to support the delivery of the capital programme for example the delivery of heating conversion and six streets refurbishment. There have been further savings on borrowing and on management fees, offset by an increase of £0.3m in bad debt provision resulting in an estimated surplus of £2m for 2012/13.  The major variances are due to £1.9m on the management fee reduction, £1.9m on savings against borrowing at lower interest rates.

11.           This in year surplus of £2m less the appropriation of £1.8m to support the capital programme will increase the HRA balance from £6.7m as at 1^st April 2012 to £6.9m as at 31^st March 2013.

Capital

12.           A summary of the Capital Programme outturn position for the Regeneration & Environment Directorate is below and further detail is included in Appendix A.

13.            

Directorate	2012/13 Revised Base Budget	2012/13 Revised Estimates Qtr 1	2012/13 Revised Estimates Qtr 2	2012/13 Actual Spend to 30/09/12	Variance Quarter 2 from Quarter 1
	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
Regeneration & Environment	129.99	127.01	125.63	30.93	-1.38

 

14.           The estimated outturn figure for the 2012/13 Capital Programme is £125.63m and capital projects, are in the main, delivering as planned. Actual capital spend was £30.93m at 30^th September 2012 and is approximately a third of the estimated outturn figure. This is normal at this point of the financial year and it is expected that expenditure will increase in line with estimated profiles at Quarters 3 and 4, as projects progress/complete. Scheme updates at Quarter 2 are:

·          White Rose Way – Phase 1 and 2 of the scheme are making good progress and is on schedule for completion;

·          FARRRS - A contractor has been selected and initial works have been completed.  The current profiled expenditure will need significant revision following delays to the start of Phase 2 of the contract;

·          CCQ - The projects are progressing largely in line with projections and the move to the new Civic Office will start in 19^th November and be completed in February 2013;

·          Waste PFI –The Council, together with Barnsley and Rotherham Councils, has entered into a twenty five year contract with 3SE to dispose of the Councils’ residual waste.  Construction is scheduled to commence in January 2013 with the facility due to be operational in July 2015.

·          Mercury Abatement £1.50m – the original project for the installation of mercury abatement equipment and three new cremators has reached practical completion at lower than budgeted cost, additional access and canopy works £0.21m have been undertaken from the remaining funds.

PERFORMANCE

15.           Progress against our Corporate Plan objectives has continued the positive trend of the previous quarter.  The Regeneration and Environment Directorate has 15 priorities spread across 4 themes.  Thirteen of these priorities are on track and the remaining two are mostly on track but with some concerns, which if not addressed could affect delivery This represents very positive performance for the Directorate.

16.           There has been a good improvement in the jobs created through the work of the Success Doncaster and Invest in Doncaster teams. This PI, although below was target in Quarter 1, is now above target. The outturn for Overall Investments Gained has far exceeded expectation and we have almost achieved our annual target. We expect investments to grow further in Q3.

17.           We are also ahead of a number of targets in Housing: - we are well on target for the completion of Neighbourhood Investment Plans; and we have secured £26.4m of ‘External Investment’ for housing priorities against the 2011-2014 target of £30m. The funding secured is from the 2011-15 HCA framework and although over-achieving our targets so far, there is no more money available outside of this framework, so the 3-year target of £30m should remain unchanged. 

18.           We have stretched our target, from 60% to 80%, for the Percentage of fly-tipping incidents that are investigated by the Council and are ahead of this target with 88% of reported incidents having been investigated.

19.           However, there is a recognition that we have to improve on performance in the following areas:

·          PDRs – The Directorate has missed the target for PDR completions in Q1 and Q2. Assistant Directors are following this up with Heads of Service as a matter of urgency  and we expect to address the shortfall early in Q3;

·          Implementation of Critical and Major Audit Actions – The directorate has not been able to report on progress against a number of major and critical actions relating to Journey Time on Key Congestion Routes. The team that report on this is the team that is working on the FARRRS project so, FARRRS work taking priority and therefore have not been able to report on the audit actions. However, as this is now no longer a national performance indicator, the need for this information and subsequent commitment of resources to collect and analyse this data is currently under review by Internal Audit;

·          Sickness – at 11.18 days our sickness is slightly off the target of 10.09 days but is an improvement of our 2011-12 sickness figure of 13.86 days. Reducing sickness absence remains a high priority for the directorate and, in line with corporate guidance, there is a continued focus on areas of concern including data quality; compliance with the Council's policy; and are continuing work with HR to improve effective monitoring and management of staff in those areas with the highest absence rates.

·          Category 1 Hazards resolved in 6 months - remains below target but a Systems Thinking Review and work with the service has helped to improve working practices.  This, along with an increase in resources across the team, has resulted in an improved performance in Q2.

·          Empty Properties – although the number of empty properties is currently on a downward trend and the Council programmes to bring properties back into use have been recognised by the HCA as best practise, the number remains high and more work is needed in this area.

Report Author & Contributors

Alan Lowther, Corporate Policy & Performance Manager

Tel: 01302 737647, E-mail: Alan.Lowther@doncaster.gov.uk

 

Peter Dale

Director of Regeneration & Environment

 

 

 

 

 

 

Understanding the Quarter 2 Performance Report

Symbols are used within this report to give a visual representation of performance.  These symbols, and what they represent, are detailed below.

Status

Status gives and overall rating for the objective taking into account the progress against activity, performance indicators and mitigating risks

Corporate Objective on track with minimal, if any, concern about delivery	Corporate Objective mostly on track but some concerns that if not addressed could affect delivery	Corporate Objective currently off track with significant concerns about delivery

Milestones

This shows what progress has been made against the delivery dates for milestones linked to the objective and is demonstrated with the following symbols

Progressing and on track	Check progress on milestone dates	Milestone dates have been missed

Performance Indicators

Performance indicators (PI) have been structured on Covalent with red, amber and green thresholds being personalised for each PI

Performance		Finance
	OK – Performance on target – denotes current value is between the amber/green threshold and the best value If the data value is equal to the amber threshold, and the amber threshold is equal to the target, the PI status will be green	Under-spent or on budget
	Warning – Performance below target – denotes current value is between the amber/red threshold and the amber/green threshold If the data value is equal to the amber threshold, and the amber threshold is not equal to the target, the PI status will be amber	Overspend is less than £250k
	Alert – Performance significantly below target – denotes current value is between the amber/red threshold and the worst value If the data value is equal to the red threshold, the PI status will be red.	Overspend exceeds £250k

Risk Profiles

Risks are profiled in line with the Corporate Risk Management Framework and the risk profile score determines the overall status.

Low level risks with a profile score between 1 and 4	Medium level risks with a profile score between 5 and 19	High level risks with a profile score between 20 and 25

Direction of Travel

The direction of travel looks at whether things have improved stayed the same or become worse when we compare performance with data reported in the previous quarter

↑	↔	↓
Getting better	Exactly the same as previously	Getting worse

 

1.    Regeneration & Environment Performance Profile

 

Objective Status	PI Profile	Risk Profile
		Likelihood 5 1         4   1 3     3   1 3 2 2 2   4 5 4 2 1 2 2 1 5   1 2 3 4 5 Impact

 

Direction of travel	Status	Corporate Plan Objective	Milestones	PIs			Data Only		Risks
↔		Creating the conditions for Economic Engagement						2		1
↔		Promoting Economic Engagement							4	1
↔		Supporting strong partnerships							1	3
↔		Increasing inward investment		2					1	3
↔		Promotion of our key cultural assets		1					No risks
↔		Engage with the private sector to ensure business influences improvements to the economy							2
↔		Seek to rebalance the priority given to public transport over other modes by making greater use of road space currently being used solely for buses							2
↓		Achieve Better Quality Homes by improving housing standards in Doncaster	…	1		1				2
↓		Achieve Better Places to live by increasing supply & affordability of housing & promoting housing investment in Doncaster		4					1	2
↔		Achieve Better Housing Choices for People by taking into account the housing implications in the Localism Act and by contributing to corporate work to improve universal services/life chances		1					2
↔		Deliver a stakeholder-engaged VFM service by supporting the SCR Housing & Regeneration Board & responding to any legacy recommendations arising from the ceasing of the Housing Improving Board		2						2
↔		Effectively enforce against environmental offences (including noise nuisance, littering & fly tipping)		2	1					1
↔		Effectively progress the Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham (BDR) waste PFI project								3
↔		Implementation of the Local Development Framework							2	3
↔		Implement Doncaster's Environment Strategy								2
…	…	Housing Improvement Plan	…	…	…	…		…	…	…	…

Governance Indicators

Days lost due to sickness	Implementation of Critical and Major Audit Actions	Performance Development Reviews
	1 out of 6 achieved

 

 

Regeneration and Environment Revenue Report
		Gross Budget (£k)	Net Budget (£k)	Variance

 

	Regeneration & Environment Total Revenue Variance	79,160	46,438	-264
The revenue budgets in Regeneration & Environment are projected to underspend by £266k; this is after £689k of recurrent underspends in specific areas being transferred to CYPS.  The main underspends are Environment £351k (including a £571k underspend on Waste and Recycling, which may increase once the tonnage trend has been established), Development £194k and Trading & Support Services £86k with the main overspend on Strategic Housing £331k.  The trading accounts are projected to underachieve their budgeted surpluses by £40k mainly due to overspends on Metroclean £392k, coupled with underspends on Markets £224k and Public Building Maintenance generating additional income of £171k.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Individual service budgets with a red profile

	Strategic Housing Revenue Variance	3,210	2,050	331
Strategic Housing still projected to overspend following realignment of budgets.  Further action will be taken to improve this position coupled with Housing Strategy review undertaken by Chartered Institute of Housing.

 

Regeneration and Environment Capital Report
		Revised Base Budget	Quarter 1 Forecast	Quarter 2 Forecast	Actuals to date
	Development	67.81	63.05	64.45	17.50
FARRRS - the current profiled expenditure will need significant revision following delays to the start of Phase 2 of the contract. White Rose Way - progressing well but there is a risk that the trigger point for £0.4m S106 funding due from the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA) may not be reached or will be too late for use on this project.  Any shortfall can be funded from the Council's LTP allocation but further plans for those monies must take account of this potential commitment. CCQ programme - progressing as expected and does not raise concerns at Quarter 2. Main areas of spend include CCQ works £21.0m, FARRRS £24.2m and White Rose Way £14.3m.  The increase of £1.4m is mainly from White Rose Way due to a combination of increased costs from delays in the bridge installation (covered by additional grant) and bringing forward expenditure to take advantage of new flexibilities in DfT funding.

 

	Transport		7.20		6.77		7.00		1.03
No significant issues for this area of the programme at Quarter 2.  Main spend includes Integrated Transport Block £2.4m, Highways £3.0m and Other Maintenance £1.4m.
		Other Environment Schemes		3.89		3.86		1.27		0.03
No significant issues for this area of the programme at Quarter 2.  Main spend includes Interim and Long Term Waste Processing £0.7m; the decrease is mainly due to the virement of £1.0m Parks and Playgrounds to Adults & Communities Capital Programme and the re-profiling of £0.9m Waste related projects to 2013/14.
		Total Environment		11.10		10.63		8.26		1.06
No significant issues for this area of the programme at Quarter 2.