Issue - meetings

Purpose: To introduce proposals for the review of the measures used to track progress towards delivery of the five priority areas within the Council Strategy 2023-27, which was approved by Council in October 2023.

Council considered a report (Agenda Item 15) concerning the review of the Council Strategy’s Performance Measures.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Jeff Brooks and seconded by Councillor Denise Gaines:

“That Council:

A)    approves a revised reporting framework for the Council Strategy.

B)    approves the 12 areas of focus detailed at paragraph 5.12 to assist in the determination of new high priority measures for the year 2025-26.”

Councillor Brooks introduced the report and highlighted that it was a refresh of the Strategy and Delivery Plan. The Executive had examined a number of measures in the Delivery Plan and was proposing to focus on 20 high priority areas. Council was also recommended to adopt the new 12 areas of focus. He noted that there had been a number of adjustments, removals, and combining of performance measures which would allow the Council to be more effective and focused in its reporting and that this decision was taken following the outcome of the Council’s peer review.

It was suggested that Measure HP08 and HP09, about bringing empty homes back into use and closing the attainment gap, should not be under the ‘Tackling Climate and Ecological Emergency’ Priority Area.

In response to a question about the removal of the residents’ surveys, Council noted that the Administration wanted continuous feedback, not a once every two-year consultation. Some Members also expressed concern about the removal of the target to reduce the number of times the Executive considered items in a private session (Part II). On the de-prioritisation of the draft Framework, Members noted that this would be kept in review, although the Council had prioritised flood and drainage improvements.

Some Members indicated that the removal of many measures indicated that the Administration was giving up on those areas. However, other Members suggested that this indicated a consolidation and streamlining of reporting which would then help guide the work of the Administration in a more effective way.

In order to better understand the history of the measures, it was suggested that the significant dates of the items be included in the report. This would help with transparency as it would show areas where deadlines had not been met. 

Overall, as Council were satisfied with the report, they agreed to approve the recommendations.

The Motion was put to the meeting and duly RESOLVED.