Issue - meetings

This report details the Council’s performance in Q1 2025-26, through the Borough Plan performance scorecard and updates against key activities for delivering its priorities and outcomes.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)    To note the Borough Plan 2025-26 performance reporting for Q1 as set out in section 3 and Appendix A of the report.

(2)    To note the current and future strategic risks associated with the information provided and agree the remedial actions on strategic risks identified as appropriate alongside the challenge on progress being provided with responsible officers as necessary.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 20 October 25

Councillor Rubin (Cabinet Member for Climate Action & Community Power) introduced a report from the Corporate Director of Service Reform & Strategy, which provided Cabinet with an overview of corporate performance in Quarter 1 2025-26.

In presenting the report, Cabinet noted that the performance monitoring update provided a detailed assessment against the full suite of Key Performance Indicators developed to monitor delivery of the desired outcomes and corporate priorities within the new Borough Plan 2023-2027 focussed around the delivery of prosperity, sustainability, and thriving communities across Brent.  In terms of a brief overview, members attention was drawn to the 60 Borough Plan key indicators included with the performance scorecard of which 47% had been identified as green (on or above target) with strong performance identified across employment, skills, environment and community engagement.

In recognising the efforts outlined within the report to focus on performance in the delivery of key services and priorities within the context of the wider financial and demand led challenges faced by services across the Council, specific reference was made to the positive performance achieved over the latest monitoring period in relation to a number of targets.  These included the number of residents being supported through Community Hubs, the percentage of jobs through Brent Works being paid at least the London Living Wage as well reduction in carbon emissions.

Whilst keen to acknowledge the achievements outlined, reflecting the work being undertaken to make Brent cleaner, fairer and more inclusive, it was also recognised that there were areas in which the need for improvement had been identified with the Council committed to addressing these challenges despite the financial pressures identified.

In considering the report, members welcomed the performance data provided as a means of providing a clear foundation for action and as a basis for the effective targeting of resources and focus for improvement of services.  Highlighting the open and transparent nature of the report and opportunity provided to ensure work continued to be undertaken jointly by Cabinet Members with their relevant Corporate Directors in seeking to manage delivery of the highest standards of service, whilst also seeking to mitigate against the financial challenges and strategic risks identified as part of the overall approach towards supporting local residents and in support of the priorities within the Borough Plan, Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)    To note the Borough Plan 2025-26 performance reporting for Q1 as set out in section 3 and Appendix A of the report.

(2)    To note the current and future strategic risks associated with the information provided and agree the remedial actions on strategic risks identified as appropriate alongside the challenge on progress being provided with responsible officers as necessary.