Agenda item

This report details the Council’s performance in Q2 2025-26, through the Borough Plan performance scorecard and updates against key activities for delivering its priorities and outcomes and in developing, enhancing and embedding performance reporting and monitoring arrangements across the organisation.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)    To note the progress in developing and embedding enhanced arrangements for corporate performance reporting along with the Borough Plan 2025-26 performance reporting for Q2 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 15 December 2025

In Councillor Rubin’s (as Cabinet Member for Climate Change & Community Action) absence Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) introduced a report from the Corporate Director of Service Reform & Strategy, which provided Cabinet with an update on progress in developing and embedding performance reporting and monitoring arrangements across the Council along with an overview of corporate performance in Quarter 2 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 Borough Plan 2023-2027.  In terms of a brief overview, members attention was drawn to the 60 Borough Plan key indicators included within the performance scorecard of which 52% had been identified as green (on or above target) demonstrating what was felt to represent progress and a strengthening performance culture designed to deliver real improvements for residents.

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 ongoing support being provided for residents through the Community Hubs, with not only more residents being able to access services but also 81% of enquiries identified as being resolved at the first point of contact as well as strong performance being delivered through Family Wellbeing Centres with 7,607 registered users in Q2 and a year-to-date total of 15,702.  In addition, reference was made to performance across the borough’s libraries with over 443,000 books being issued and over 600,000 visits reflecting their value as a well-utilised public resource.

Whilst keen to acknowledge the achievements outlined, 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.  This included work to streamline resident services and cut processing times through the simplification of administrative processes designed to make it easier for residents to access the support needed.

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 progress in developing and embedding enhanced arrangements for corporate performance reporting along with the Borough Plan 2025-26 performance reporting for Q2 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.