1 – Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Howes.
Relevant Legislation: Local Government Act 1972, s 85.
2 – Disclosure of Pecuniary Interests
There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest.
Relevant Legislation: Localism Act 2011, s 31.
3 – Public Participation
There were no members of the public present.
Relevant Legislation: Local Government Act, s 100.
4 – Approval of Minutes
The Minutes for the Meeting of the People & Performance Committee held Wednesday 30 July 2025 were approved.
5 – To resolve to exclude press and public
Members of the public and the press were asked to leave the meeting during consideration of the following items.
6 – Council Services
6.1 – Service Area of Focus
Members were presented with a report on the Kirby Road Allotments. The report provided an overview of the site’s background, legal context, current usage, financial position, and potential future options. Members noted that the site currently consists of 44 plots, with 30 tenanted and 14 vacant, and that the service is presently operating at a financial deficit due to expenditure exceeding rental income.
The Committee considered the issues raised within the report, including plot utilisation, security concerns, maintenance costs, and the potential for alternative management models or future uses of the site. Members discussed opportunities to increase plot usage, review rent and subsidy levels, explore partnership arrangements, and consider wider community or environmental uses for parts of the site.
Following discussion, Members were in agreement with the overall strategy and direction outlined within the report and felt that the introduction of a number of smaller plots and different pricing structure would be preferable for newer, less experienced tenants.
It was requested that an update on the Kirby Road Allotments be presented at the next Performance and People Committee Meeting.
Members resolved to note the report on Kirby Road Allotments.
6.2 – Hall hire for Staff and Councillors
Members were asked to resolve an amendment to the staff and Councillor benefit for hall hire. The Council had historically offered all staff and councillors one free hall hire per year as an employee and member benefit. In recent years, however, rising operational costs, the expansion of the staff team to 24 employees plus 12 councillors, and the continued demand for hall availability to the wider community had made it more difficult to sustain this arrangement.
It was proposed that the existing benefit be amended to provide an ongoing 50% discount on hall hire for both councillors and staff, provided it was for personal/immediate family use. This adjustment would seek to balance the recognition of their contribution to the Council with the need to ensure fairness, cost recovery, and wider public access to Council facilities.
After some discussion of the reasoning behind the proposed amendment, members were in agreement that it was not feasible to offer a potential 36 total free hires at Council venues each year.
Members resolved to approve the proposed amendment to staff and councillor hall hire.
7 – To note current Performance and People Activity Report
Members were presented with a report outlining current work activity, workforce status, recruitment needs, overtime and absence and attendance information.
Members resolved to note the Performance and People activity report.
8 – Performance Reviews
Members were requested to note that performance review forms have been completed by the workforce in October 2025. Members were also presented with a report that set out the main findings and the cumulative scores from the review process.
Members resolved to note the undertaking of performance reviews and the cumulative scores from the review process.
9 – Workforce Structure & Budget Proposals for 2026-27
Members were presented with a report outlining an indicative workforce structure and budget proposals for 2026-27 and were requested to resolve recommendations for ratification by the full council as part of the budget-setting process.
Members resolved to approve the proposed amendments to the workforce structure and endorse budget recommendations as presented for inclusion in the annual council budget 2026-27, subject to ratification by the full council.
There being no further business, the Chairperson closed the meeting at 8.30pm.