Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director of Resources which presented progress towards achieving the key outcomes of the council’s corporate performance framework and highlighted key messages to inform strategic priorities and work programmes, in and to the end of quarter three, October to December 2021 (for copy of report see file of minutes).

Councillor Hopgood thanked the Corporate Director and his team for producing the report. She explained that the councils’ performance and that of its partners continue to be impacted by the pandemic in many ways, and that the cost-of-living increases had been made worse by the terrible situation in Ukraine. Long term employment rates remained stable over the quarter, but below both regional and national averages. She advised that many households in county Durham continue to struggle with the increases in cost of living and Cabinet next month will receive an updated poverty action plan.

She advised that attracting inward investment is a priority for the council, that it was open for business, and gave an update on the developments, highlighting that these together with the bid for city of culture showed the councils ambition to create better jobs for those living in county Durham. She gave an update on a number of other areas including the high demand for social care services, increased request for assessments for education  health and care plans, highway network improvements, and the re-introduction of performance appraisals for staff. She concluded by thanking all staff for their hard work and for going above and beyond in continuing to deliver the councils services.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.