Agenda item

The Committee received a report of the Chief Executive which provided an overview of progress towards achieving the strategic ambitions and objectives set out in the 2023-27 Council Plan and contained the most recent performance data available as of 31 March 2024. The information related to activity and events taking place in the fourth quarter of the 2023/24 financial year (January to March) (for copy see file of minutes).

The Strategy Team Leader presented the report and highlighted the key messages structured around the four thematic areas that were going well and issues that were being addressed.

Councillor B Moist commented on the format of the report and asked that acronyms not be used and more meaningful and concise information be reflected in the reports.

Councillor A Savory commented that she found the glossary on page 152 of the report to be extremely helpful.

Councillor A Surtees referred to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and asked whether the programme would be fully delivered and that all the money would be spent before the end of March 2025. With regards to programme delivery, the Strategy Team Leader advised that there had been a definite increase from quarter one with more uptake on business support programmes and jobs created and would take a look at the performance output to the end of the financial year. She confirmed that there was a data lag in relation to some of the outcomes and that more current information would be available in the Quarter 1 Performance report. The Finance Manager added that they did not want to lose any funding and progress was constantly monitored to ensure that they were on target in relation to spend.

Councillor R Crute was concerned with the direction of travel with regards to households receiving energy advice from the Managing Money Better scheme (MMB) and queried whether there was alternative provision which would explain the low figures in the current climate. The Strategy Team Leader explained that they had seen increases in the number of households seeking advice during the previous energy crisis and that numbers had reduced with the introduction of the energy cap. It was anticipated that there would be an increase of referrals in the next quarter.

Councillor Crute then asked as to whether there was any benchmarking data available concerning the scheme.

The Strategy Team Leader explained that the figures were a local measure however she would make enquiries with the Service Grouping and clarify as to whether there was any comparative data at a regional level.

Resolved:

That the overall position and direction of travel in relation to quarter four performance (January to March), and the actions taken to address areas of challenge be noted.