Public reports pack PDF 3 MB - Blaby District Council

PRIORITY 2 - Maintaining the high collection rate of the Revenues Service whilst driving
efficiency and improving Customer Service.
Collection rates for both Council Tax and Business Rates have remained high in recent years
despite the economic climate. The Revenues Department has continually strived to deliver these
high collection rates during the implementation of the Revenues System project and the
continuing uncertain economy. Collection rates are slightly above the target at the end of quarter
2, but slightly below the same period last year. This is during a period when Officers in the
Revenues department are also engaged in the implementation of the new system due to ‘go live’
in December 2012.
PRIORITY 3 - Maximising the use of the council’s assets.
The capital and revenue programmes for 2012/13 included a number of asset related projects to
improve assets within the Council’s ownership. These projects included:
• Whetstone Way Bridge. The team is project managing a range of repair works to a
number bridge structures across the district to ensure bridges and structures forming
country side walks and recreation areas (such as the Whetstone Way countryside
recreation area); are maintained subject to funding to ensure the full use of the sites in line
with the Corporate aims and objectives Works have started on site at Whetstone way with
repairs to the masonry and structural repairs
• Improvements to Shower/toilet facilities – Since the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan
and Green travel Plan supported people travelling to work by bicycle it was recognised
that the Council’s facilities required improvement in support of this initiative. The Assets
team has procured and managed the installation of an additional cycle cage and currently
drawing up the proposals for the other improvement to showers
• Sustainability – The group is continually working to bring about improvements in the
management of energy and performance of the corporate assets; this with the
maintenance programmes and whilst working with the Environment team with the
Corporate Climate Change Action plan.
• Development of the Golf Range at the Pavilion – whilst this project is being delivered
across portfolios support is being given by the Asset Management function to assist in
procuring, developing and delivering the new facility.
PRIORITY 4 - Instilling principles of good, sustainable procurement.
The Welland Procurement Partnership continue to assist Officers to procure effectively and
recent projects such as the feasibility study for the future of the Littlethorpe Depot have provided
opportunity for Officers to work with the Partnership.
PRIORITY 5 - Continue a culture of transparency with emphasis on financial control, audit, fraud
and risk.
To further the Authority’s commitment to openness and transparency we now publish details of
all payments to suppliers in excess of £250 (including VAT) on our website each month. Other
financial data and information published on our website includes the Financial Statement,
approved by Audit Committee on 27 th September 2012, and details of senior officers’ salaries in
accordance with the government’s open data requirements.
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Page 93
September 2012