Report of Executive Director (Strategy and Change)

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Strategy and Change)

presenting the quarter two corporate performance report for the period 1st July to

31^st September 2024.

Resolved:

That the Corporate Performance Report as at 31^st September 2024, as set out in

appendix 1 to the submitted report, be noted.

Reasons for Decision:

1. The Corporate Performance Report informs decision making to ensure that the

Council’s priorities are on track to be achieved and aligns with the Financial

Performance Report to ensure that they are delivered within the approved budget

provision.

2. Improving efficiency and productivity is essential but the scale of the

unprecedented financial pressures will inevitably lead to a reduction in the range,

quality, cost and responsiveness of other discretionary Council services, as well

as challenging our approach to statutory services.

Other Options:

The Council could monitor its corporate performance against an alternative

timeframe, but it is considered that the current reporting schedule provides the

appropriate balance to allow strategic oversight of the budget by Councillors. More frequent monitoring is undertaken by officers and considered by individual service Directors and the Council’s Corporate Leadership Team (CLT) including the

implementation of any necessary remedial actions.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Not eligible for call-in

Cabinet Member: Cllr Cowan

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director (Strategy and Change), by way of pre-Cabinet Scrutiny, that presented the Corporate Performance Report for Quarter 2 of 2024/25 (July to September 2024). This covered the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which aligned to the corporate priorities set out in the Corporate Plan 2024-2028 and highlight the Council’s overall performance against agreed corporate priorities.

There was a brief discussion on the indicator of higher number of households in temporary accommodation and the actions being undertaken to reduce this pressure.  Councillor J Moyies asked for a written response as to whether it was a national or local challenge, to which the Leader of the Council explained that this subject had been a focus for the Portfolio Holder through their working party and that an update would be shared to members or an invitation extending to Councillor J Moyies (if this matter was on the agenda for the next meeting).

Following the discussion, officers explained that they would prepare a response for Councillor M Borton regarding the work the authority was doing with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) regarding reducing reliance on temporary accommodation.

The Leader of the Council responded to questions which were raised in regard to the changing of commentary and re-alignment of metrics that support the Corporate Plan, in comparison to the previous quarter, specifically the correction to the target relating to CP02.07 ‘tree net gain in the City.’ Members sought reassurances that the target value metrics would not change being reporting periods so that ‘like for like’ comparisons could be made.

Councillor T Cox observed that in the previous year regular budget capital challenge sessions had been held with all Group Leaders and requested whether these could be arranged for this financial year to include representation across the political spectrum. The Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets and Members explained that this work was being undertaken through the Members Resource Panel, however he would look to see whether the Terms of Reference or proportionality needed to be updated to enable an invitation to be extended to group leaders. 

Resolved:

That the report to Cabinet be noted.

This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Councillor D Cowan, Leader of the Council

The Committee received a report from the Executive Director (Strategy & Change), by way of pre-Cabinet Scrutiny, that provided an update on the corporate performance indicators for quarter 2 (July to September 2024).

The Committee discussed the report and asked questions that were responded to by the Leader of the Council and the relevant Cabinet Members.

The relevant Cabinet Member(s) and Executive Directors undertook to provide written responses to questions raised by members of the Committee, with regard to:

• Any evidence regarding the demographic uptake of the NHS Health Check Programme (CP03.01) (Cabinet Member, Councillor M Sadza).
• An update on the support available and outcomes for Care Leavers aged between18-25 years that the Council supports.

Resolved:

That the report to Cabinet be noted.

Note: This is an Executive function

Cabinet Member: Councillor D Cowan

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director (Strategy and Change), by way of pre-Cabinet Scrutiny, that presented the Corporate Performance Report for Quarter 2 of 2024/25 (July to September 2024).  This covered the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which aligned to the corporate priorities set out in the Corporate Plan 2024-2028 and highlight the Council’s overall performance against agreed corporate priorities.

In response to questions regarding the take up of the New Enterprise Grant, the Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Business undertook to provide a written response.

In response to questions regarding the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and it’s the allocation to the Voluntary Sector, the Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Business undertook to circulate the evaluation of the outcome of the work with the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government on this initiative once known.

In response to questions regarding the “Save the High Street” initiative and the use of 6 dormant/hard to let units on “The Bridge” part of the Victorias, the Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Business undertook to circulate more detailed selection criteria to the committee.

Resolved:-

That the report to Cabinet be noted.

This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Councillor Cowan