Venue: Committee Room 1 / Microsoft Teams
Contact: Neil Barnett
Scrutiny Adviser
Items
No. |
Item |
1. |
Declarations of Interest
Minutes:
|
2. |
Norse Joint Venture Partnership PDF 145 KB
a) Officer presentation
b) Committee questioning
and discussion
c) Formation of
comments and recommendations
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Invitees:
-
Jake Colclough-Jones (Associate Director – Facilities
Management and Support Services, Newport Norse)
-
Sarah Davies: Associate Director – Professional Services,
Newport Norse
-
Councillor Rhian Howells: Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and
Assets
-
Tracy McKim: Head of People, Policy and Transformation
-
Rhys Cornwall: Strategic Director- Transformation and Corporate
The Head of People Policy and Transformation
(HPPT) introduced the report to the Committee. The Associate
Director – Professional Services, Newport Norse ADPS) and
Associate Director – Facilities Management and Support
Services, Newport Norse (ADFMSS) gave an overview of the
report.
The Committee asked the following:
- The Committee asked how the rebate
model benefitted residents of Newport and taxpayers, given the
current cost of living crisis and inflation. The HPPT advised that
the rebate is credited back to the Council's budget, which is
effectively offsets the costs of other services. However, it was
recognised that this model may be outdated considering current
Council priorities and following a Scrutiny review, a new way of
working was being explored to replace the joint venture at the end
of its current term for 2026.
- The Committee queried if there is
any feedback on the higher service costs and whether they are
driven to ensure a rebate. The ADFMSS advised that the higher
service costs are often due to compliance with higher standards,
such as paying the living wage. The profit model is being
reviewed, and it is likely that future models will not include a
profit element.
- The Committee questioned the
customer satisfaction rate and whether it reflects the feedback
received from the community. The ADFMSS advised that customer
satisfaction is measured through various channels, including
surveys and direct feedback. The feedback is reviewed and addressed
regularly, and efforts are made to improve services based on this
feedback.
- The Committee asked if the proxy
value agreement was based on Welsh Government figures. The ADFMSS
advised the Committee that this was correct, and also that the proxy values were different for
the Cardiff Capital Region compared to Newport.
- The Committee enquired about the
residency of Newport Norse staff. The ADFMSS advised the Committee
that 92% of staff lived in Newport, with the other 8% living in the
Cardiff Capital Region.
- The Committee enquired about the
Themes, Outcomes and Measures (TOMS) agreement between the Council
and Norse. The HPPT advised the Committee that the Council agreed
on a smaller set of TOMS for Norse to report on, focusing on
modelling the Norse values on the Council’s.
- The Committee asked how many clients
participated in the customer satisfaction survey. The ADFMSS
advised that the exact percentage of clients who participated in
the survey would be provided to the Committee.
- The Committee queried about the
ethnicity data and why only 51% of staff answered the question. The
ADPS advised that the data is collected through an optional survey,
and some staff may choose not to answer for various reasons.
Efforts are being made to encourage more staff to provide this
information.
|
3. |
Scrutiny Adviser Reports PDF 143 KB
a) Actions Arising (Appendix 1)
b) Forward Work Programme Update (Appendix 2)
c) Outcomes Monitoring (Appendix 3)
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Invitee:
- Neil Barnett – Scrutiny Adviser
a. Actions
Arising
The Scrutiny Adviser informed the Committee of
the Actions Arising.
b. Forward Work
Programme Update
The Scrutiny Adviser informed Committee of the agenda for the next two
meetings:
Wednesday 5th February 2025
- CONTEST (Part 2 report)
Wednesday 26th March 2025
- Education Achievement Service (EAS) Value
for Money Report
c. Outcomes
Monitoring
The Scrutiny Adviser informed the Committee of
the up-to-date outcomes.
|
4. |
Minutes of the previous meeting held on 9th October 2024 PDF 121 KB
Minutes:
The minutes of the previous meeting held on
9th October 2024 were approved as a true and accurate
record.
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