Agenda item

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Governance and Licensing presented the report. The report outlined the District’s performance against the Corporate Plan from 2020 to 2023, which would be the last indicators for the former Corporate Plan.

The Corporate Plan 2024-27 was adopted by Council in January 2024. The report was in two parts (Q4 for 2023/24 and a summary overview of the Council’s performance in 2020-23).

The Corporate Plan 2020-23 listed twenty-two actions across the priorities Healthy & Strong Communities, Growth & Our Economy, and High Performing Council, which fell within the remit of this Committee. These actions set the Council’s agenda for the life of that Plan.

The first round of performance reporting in 2020/21 introduced a series of criteria for what successful delivery would look like. This criterion has been used as the standard to judge the Council’s overall performance against the twenty-two actions. Out of the twenty-two actions, the Council had achieved eighteen of them.

The performance for Q4 for 2024, nine of the actions were rated green, two of the actions were rated amber and none of the actions were rated red.

A new KPI suite had been agreed by the Committee in March 2024. The first report for the new KPI suite would be presented in Q3 of 2024.

It was noted that some of the twenty-two actions were stated as achieved, however, they had not been achieved, for example it was felt the below actions had not been fully achieved:

·       The regeneration of Grantham Town Centre

·       Working with education providers

·       The People Strategy

·       Strategies and Plans for Commercial Transformation

·       The implementation and usage of an IT investment roadmap.

It was highlighted that a report going to a forthcoming meeting of the Employment Committee revealed turnover of staff in 2022/23 was 23%, the turnover of staff for 2023/24 had reduced to 14%. The predominant reasons for Employee’s leaving was due to career advancement and new opportunities.

The Deputy Chief Executive (S151 Officer) confirmed that the Council’s website had recently been upgraded and was one of the best examples in East Midlands. Officers welcomed any user feedback on articles, in the event the website needed to be reconfigured.

It was noted the criteria set for 2020-23, was set by a different administration. The criteria evidence for satisfactory actions could not be commented on. The criteria and actions for the new Corporate Plan were measurable, specific and objective. 

One Member queried the ‘achieved’ action on maximising the value of the Council’s own spend by utilising local suppliers, wherever practical and possible. Further information was requested on the action.

It was confirmed that contract procedural rules and procurement law was a priority over decisions. There were certain thresholds to save money, however, to ensure the best products possible. It was noted this may be a local contractor or a contractor outside of the local supply chain. The definition of a ‘local supplier’ was discussed and whether it should be based on a postcode or more regionally.

A ‘minor works framework’ was being established which would maximise the opportunity for local trade businesses to benefit from work which would be small value, which would be a north/south classification.

ACTION: The Deputy Chief Executive (S151 Officer) to provide examples of local, small suppliers/traders procured by the Council in the last 3 years, during the duration of the old Corporate Plan.

It was suggested that local contractors be contacted to assist with the turnaround of Voids.

It was confirmed local trade fayres would be held, where local suppliers would be invited to attend. The Council would need to ensure the contractor was compliant, met all health and safety requirements and passing the right checks prior going into Void properties. The financial viability of utilising local suppliers would be considered, in line with the Council’s contract procedural rules.

One Member noted that 2 years of lockdown may have impacted certain actions being achieved.

It was noted the word ‘achieved’ in terms of actions stated meant that the Council had started works in achieving the action, rather than the action being completed and fulfilled.

That the Committee:

1. Review and scrutinise the performance against the Corporate Plan Key Performance Indicators in relation to the delivery of the Corporate Plan 2020-23 priorities and outcomes.

2. Use this report to inform and support the ongoing work programme of the Committee.