Issue - meetings

Councillor S J Conboy, The Executive Leader to present the Corporate Plan Refresh 2025 for approval.

(The Report was considered by Cabinet at their meeting on 15th April 2025 and it was agreed that it should be recommended to Council for approval).

Time Allocation: 20 Minutes

To receive a report updating Members on the annual refresh of the Corporate Plan for 2023-2028 and presenting the actions and key performance indicators for 2025/26 to Council for approval.

Executive Councillor: S Conboy.

The Cabinet has

(a)  endorsed the refreshed Corporate Plan to Council (attached as Appendix 1 of the submitted report); and

(b)   endorsed the Key Performance Indicator Changes (attached as Appendix 4 of the submitted report)

Additionally, the Cabinet has recommended to Council

(a)  the approval of the refreshed Corporate Plan (attached as Appendix 1 of the submitted report); and

(b)  the approval of the Key Performance Indicator Changes (attached as Appendix 4 of the submitted report).

A report by the Head of Policy, Performance and Emergency Planning was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) updating Members on the annual refresh of the Corporate Plan for 2023-2028 and presenting the actions and key performance indicators for 2025/26 to Council for approval.

In introducing the report, the Executive Leader reported that the content of the proposed Corporate Plan would be the Joint Administration’s agenda for the coming year. The Plan had been reviewed to take into consideration matters that changed year on year and further work would continue to be undertaken to refine Key Performance Indicators and the performance of the Council. The Cabinet were informed that two Key Performance Indicators from last year had been merged into a single indicator, the introduction of four new indicators and one replacement indicator. A summary was then provided on the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance & Growth) which were received and noted.

The Executive Councillor for Resident Services and Corporate Performance concurred that a constructive discussion had been had at the Overview and Scrutiny meeting. He then went on to state that this year’s Plan incorporated 67 actions compared to last year’s Plan which had 64. The suggestions which had been raised at the Overview and Scrutiny meeting had been welcomed and were in the process of being discussed with service leaders. An explanation was delivered on Corporate Plan Action 29 and 39 together with an update on Performance Indicator 18 and 25.

Following a request by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance & Growth) it was reported that the Panel would be receiving a further update on performance indicators at their meeting in June 2025. This was welcomed by the Cabinet.

A discussion then ensued on footfall within Market Towns and whether this was an appropriate measure of success. Whilst it was acknowledged that it wasn’t a wholly reliable metric, the Cabinet were mindful that it would add value in terms of identifying early improvements in footfall. Furthermore, it was reported that this data was also utilised to take decisions on town centre redevelopment schemes. The Executive Councillor for Open Spaces, Waste and Street Scene expressed her view that a measure of success would be higher turnover/profits for local businesses.

Having then discussed call centre waiting times and the availability of information on the Council’s website, it was

RESOLVED

  that the Cabinet

(a)  endorse the refreshed Corporate Plan to Council (attached as Appendix 1 of the submitted report); and

(b)  endorse the Key Performance Indicator changes (attached as Appendix 4 of the submitted report).

that Council be recommended to

(a)  approve the refreshed Corporate Plan (attached as Appendix 1 of the submitted report); and

(b)  approve the Key Performance Indicator changes (attached as Appendix 4 of the submitted report).

The Panel is invited to comment on the Corporate Plan Refresh 2025 Report.

Executive Councillor: S Ferguson