Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director of Community & Children’s Services presenting the current organisational structure of the BEO following the recent service review and realignment. Officers clarified that the organisational chart was colour coded according to workstream.

A Member asked if there was a robust staff appraisal system in place, to which officers advised that the Corporation has an annual staff appraisal policy, and a probation policy.

There was discussion on the status work on the use of carparks for alternative purposes, with Members noting it had been continuing for a long time. Officers advised they had received legal advice about what was permitted by the lease arrangements which they would share with the Committee. Officers also updated Members about the commencement of a carpark utilisation study. Abandoned vehicles had now been removed, and officers anticipated returning to the Committee early next year with a proposal to commission a desktop study to look at a range of considerations, including the condition of the carparks.

In relation to the Communication Strategy, a Member raised concerns about people who may not use digital communication, such as elderly residents. Officers noted that the Communication Strategy took account of digital isolation, and non-digital communication methods such as noticeboards, letters and leaflet drops would continue to be used.

A Member requested that the Committee to be updated on the whole range of issues that impact Barbican residents, including those for which the Committee was not directly responsible. The Executive Director would take this request away for further consideration, noting the need to consider the responsibilities of other Committees and ability of officers to answer Member questions during meetings. 

RESOLVED – that the report was received, and its contents be noted.