The Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services) of Sefton Council met on Tuesday, 11 June 2024, to discuss various issues including the performance of the Managed Services ICT Contract, levels of disciplinary and grievance cases within the council, taxi issues in Sefton, and updates on welfare reform and anti-poverty measures. Key decisions were made regarding the inclusion of local NHS organisations in future surveys and the monitoring of cyber-attacks on the council's network.

Annual ICT Update Report

The committee reviewed the performance of the Managed Services ICT Contract, which is currently outsourced to Agilisys. The report highlighted that Agilisys had generally met key performance indicators (KPIs) over the past 12 months, except in exceptional circumstances. Customer satisfaction remained high, and any issues were addressed on a case-by-case basis. The report also noted significant investments in cyber security, although the risk of cyber-attacks remains high. Members raised concerns about the increase in cyber-attacks and the failure of Agilisys to meet the KPI for answering telephone calls in April 2023.

The risk of an Information Security Breach due to a cyber-attack featured on the Corporate Risk Register, noted the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services.

The committee resolved to note the report and requested statistics detailing the percentage increase in cyber-attacks year on year.

Levels of Disciplinary, Grievance, Dignity at Work and Sickness Absence

The committee considered a report on the levels of disciplinary, grievance, dignity at work, and sickness absence within the council. The report indicated a relatively low number of cases, reflecting good industrial relations and a partnership approach. Specific statistics were provided for suspensions, disciplinaries, grievances, and dignity at work complaints for the latter half of 2023. The committee discussed the need for year-on-year statistics on staff suspensions and the impact of agile working on sickness absence levels.

The committee resolved to note the report and the ongoing initiatives to monitor and reduce both short and long-term sickness absence.

Taxi Issues in Sefton

The committee discussed wider taxi issues in Sefton, including how to encourage more hackney carriages in the area. The report highlighted that the existing numerical restriction on hackney carriage vehicle licences had been in place since 1986. The next unmet demand survey, due later this year, will include consultations with various stakeholders to better understand and address issues in the hackney carriage trade.

Members raised concerns about the scarcity of wheelchair-accessible hackney carriages in the north of the borough and the need to include local NHS organisations in the next unmet demand survey. The committee also discussed the Level 4 Devolution Framework offer to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority for improving taxi and private vehicle licensing.

The committee resolved to note the report and requested the inclusion of local NHS organisations in the next unmet demand survey. A further report will be submitted following the completion of the 2024 survey.

Work Programme 2023/24, Scrutiny Review Topics and Key Decision Forward Plan

The committee reviewed the Work Programme for 2023/24 and the Key Decision Forward Plans for the periods 1 January 2024 to 30 April 2024 and 1 February 2024 to 31 May 2024. The committee was asked to select a topic for review at an informal meeting.

The committee resolved to note the work programme and the key decision forward plans.

Members’ Welfare Reform Reference Group – Update

The committee received an update on the activities of the Welfare Reform and Anti-Poverty (WRAP) Cabinet Member Reference Group. The update covered various initiatives, including the Sefton Child Poverty Strategy, community pantries, and the homelessness crisis in Sefton. Councillor Lappin highlighted the ongoing work to reduce the number of long-term vacant homes in the borough.

A member raised concerns about potential changes to the Homes for Ukraine scheme and its impact on service users in Sefton.

The committee resolved to note the update and requested a report on the potential changes to the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Councillor Lappin was thanked for her update.

Cabinet Member Report - December 2023 to February 2024

The committee reviewed the Cabinet Member Report for the period December 2023 to February 2024. A member suggested changing the salutation message at the start of incoming calls to the council’s call-centre to encourage the use of online services.

The committee resolved to note the report and thanked Councillor Lappin for her attendance.