Agenda Item 9:  Raising our Performance 2
Comments of Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee 

The observations of the Chief Executive on the Scrutiny Committee’s comments are shown in bold italic type.

The Scrutiny Committee supported the draft in principle.  The following key points arose during debate:  

1.	Local role of the Council
(a)	The Scrutiny Committee endorsed the proposed action in relation to the Council’s engagement with local communities/partnerships and the need to revitalise members’ roles at local level.  
(b)	More than just ‘some’ members felt marginalised by the new political management arrangements.  The text has been changed to reflect this.

2.	Customer Service
The Committee confirmed the need to strengthen public access to the Council, members and services and supported the recognition of our achievements whilst acknowledging improvement where required.

3.	Valuing our staff
(a)	In relation to the outcome of the job evaluation exercise, there should be an acknowledgement of the further work required.   The wording acknowledges the concerns of some staff.
(b)	The value of regular staff surveys was recognised.  

4.	Harnessing technology
(a)	The paper should highlight the opportunities which new technology offered to the Council and citizens in terms of service improvements and the way in which services were provided.   The text refers to this.
(b)	The electronic information boards in County Hall Reception referred to meetings, not activities.  The text now refers to meetings.
(c)	The reference to progress with electronic connections for members should be qualified.  This has been qualified.

5.	Performance management
(a)	The ‘golden thread’ reference should be clarified.   This has been done.
(b)	regular updates to members, linking service performance with improvements, would be welcomed.   CCMT will make regular progress reports available.

6.	Financial strategy
The reference to balances should be to ’raise’ rather than to ‘restore’ them.  The text has been changed to reflect this.

7.	Our commitments
The Committee was pleased to see that our commitments were clearly set out.

8.	General
(a)	Where possible statements should be supported by evidence and indicate movement from Raising Our  Performance 1.   Evidence is available, but its inclusion in the text would lengthen the document.
(b)	The Committee questioned the officers about the intended internal/external audience.   County Council managers are the key audience.  The document will also be of interest to the Audit Commission.