Issue - meetings

To consider a report by Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets (copy enclosed) presenting an update on the delivery of the Corporate Plan in 2020 to 2021 as at the end of quarter 3 (October to December 2020).

RESOLVED that Cabinet notes the progress in delivering the Corporate Plan as at the end of quarter 3 of 2020/21 and confirms the content of the draft report.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill presented the report updating Cabinet on progress in delivery of the Corporate Plan in 2020 to 2021 as at the end of quarter 3 (October to December 2020).

The Corporate Plan 2017 – 2022 set the strategic direction for the council and its priorities for the five year period.  A summary of data and project updates had been provided for quarter 3 together with data tables outlining the current position.  The reporting timetable had been affected by Covid-19 but would soon revert back to normal and the impact on service delivery and the continuing response to dealing with the pandemic had been referenced within the report.  Overall performance was good with two measures assessed as priority for improvement according to their measures.  Performance Scrutiny Committee had considered the report and raised questions regarding specific projects primarily focusing on housing and extra care amongst others.

The Strategic Planning and Performance Team Leader further explained the changes to the reporting arrangements which would be back on schedule in the summer.  He guided members through the report explaining the improvement overall from the last report with most projects largely on track and just a few still delayed.  The report had been well received by Performance Scrutiny Committee with much discussion on housing because it had been identified as a priority for improvement.  It was explained that there would be a rapid increase in new housing developments which would be reflected in the data resulting in a quick improvement over the coming year.  The other priority for improvement focused on young people and measures relating to attainment and attendance; unfortunately there was no data available for either of those measures and unlikely to be quality data for some time which was a challenge for the authority.  In closing, reference was made to the two main challenges facing the authority in relation to barriers to learning faced by young people and how to keep them on track, and also how to protect vulnerable citizens within communities, particularly from digital exclusion, and ensure their voices were heard and they were still able to access the services they needed.

Cabinet members were familiar with the priorities and progress given that they were discussed with Heads of Service on a regular basis.  The Leader was pleased to note the progress made despite Covid-19 and he thanked all services and officers for their commitment to supporting the Corporate Plan.  He reminded members that the council had deliberately set an ambitious Corporate Plan and one of the biggest challenges had been around the expansion of digital provision and connectivity; he expressed his frustration regarding the pace of progress with the council dependent on UK and Welsh Governments to direct companies to invest in areas that were difficult to reach.  However the commitment to that priority remained.

RESOLVED that Cabinet notes the progress in delivering the Corporate Plan as at the end of quarter 3 of 2020/21 and confirms the content of the draft report.