The Cabinet Member for Communities, Leisure and Arts introduced a report setting out the financial and performance position for the services reporting into the Committee as at 31 March 2023 (Quarter 4).  It was noted that:

·  Following changes to the Cabinet portfolios, the remits of the Policy Advisory Committees had been amended, and a new Key Performance Indicator (KPI) set was proposed for this Committee for the financial year 2023/24.

·  The report also included updates on progress against the Recovery and Renewal Action Plan and projects funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

In response to questions, the Cabinet Member/Director of Finance, Resources and Business Improvement explained that:

·  In terms of the positive variance in relation to Lockmeadow landlord costs and Lockmeadow Complex, there was a shortfall in rental income from tenants, but this was offset by significant underspends against the professional services and repairs and maintenance budgets.

·  Cost centres described as sections were staffing budgets.

·  Festivals and events had performed better than budgeted, doing well on income with lower expenditure.

·  The Leisure Centre was now trading normally following the pandemic and it was hoped that the adverse variance would disappear.

·  Two units at Lockmeadow had been vacated recently and were being marketed actively with a view to new tenants being found.

·  Regarding the overspend in relation to the Mote Park Visitor Centre, although it was not a large project, it was a bespoke design with specialist requirements and issues were encountered during construction.  Lessons had been learned for future projects.  There was a need to balance delivering quality facilities and achieving best value.

During the discussion:

·  The Cabinet Member undertook to arrange for a briefing note on the background to the Recovery and Renewal Action Plan to be circulated to all Members of the Committee and the Senior Business Analyst undertook to investigate whether an additional KPI could be formulated around arts events.

·  It was suggested and agreed that an additional KPI was required to monitor the performance of the market at Lockmeadow which, despite investment, was under achieving.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the Revenue position as at the end of Quarter 4 for 2022/23, including the actions being taken or proposed to improve the position, where significant variances have been identified, be noted.

2.  That the Capital position at the end of Quarter 4 be noted.

3.  That the Performance position as at Quarter 4 for 2022/23 be noted.

4.  TO RECOMMEND to the CABINET:  That the proposed new KPIs for 2023/24 be approved together with an additional KPI to monitor the performance of the market at Lockmeadow.

5.  That the Recovery and Renewal Update, attached at Appendix 3 to the report, be noted.

6.  That the UK Shared Prosperity Fund update, attached at Appendix 4 to the report, be noted.