Issue - meetings

To accept and note the information in the report.

The report was submitted by Cllr Ioan Thomas. ⁠ 

DECISION

To accept and note the information in the report.

DISCUSSION 

The report was presented, and it was noted that the department's performance had been generally good over the last few months and had made satisfactory progress with the relevant priority projects. Key issues arising from the department's performance were highlighted including the following items. 

In terms of the IT Service – Support, it was noted that the service had been successful in filling key vacancies. It was highlighted that there had been over 3,453 requests for IT support during October and November 2023, with 93% calls opened and closed during the period. In looking at the IT Service – Infrastructure, it was noted that the availability of the Core Network and Critical Systems had been 100% during the period and there were no serious cyber incidents or service breaches.

Looking at finance services, the following projects were highlighted. ⁠In terms of the Income Service it was noted that the report continued to address the progress of the cases the service referred to the Legal Service to ensure that there was effective collaboration between both units.  It was highlighted that the Benefits Service was performing consistently well, and the Manager and all service staff were thanked for ensuring that Gwynedd's most vulnerable people received the financial support they qualified for.  It was expressed that the Payroll service had responded in a timely manner to the pay agreement for 2023/24 and had ensured that increases and remuneration had been paid to staff during November. Concern was highlighted at the failure of some services to notify the Payroll Service in a timely manner of any change in an individual's position so that action could be taken on time.

Much work had been undertaken to carry out the Ffordd Gwynedd review on the Tax service, and clear improvements had now emerged from the commitment of the Manager and the whole team to do the work. The savings schemes were highlighted and it was noted that all schemes except for one had been delivered for the 2015/16 – 2022/23 schemes. It was noted that the department did not anticipate that the scheme – Attracting additional income through an Internal Collection Agency would realise the £35k savings target so the department was looking for an alternative scheme.  The total savings for 2023/24 for the Finance Department were noted to be £294,060 over 7 schemes. It was explained that £19,820 worth of schemes had already been realised and there were 3 other schemes and a total of £138,670 that were on track to deliver to the timetable. It was highlighted that 2 schemes worth £135,570 were slipping. 

Observations arising from the discussion

·         Attention was drawn to the Benefits Service, and it was noted that the department was consistently good; however, there was a need to encourage the people of Gwynedd to use the service to ensure they received the financial support available to them.