URL: https://cmttpublic.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2015

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: Cabinet considered the report of the Assistant Chief Executive which outlined the Council’s performance in relation to the missions set out in the ‘Play your part in a stronger future’ Borough Plan 2024-2028. The report focused on performance over period two of the financial year, from 1 August to 30 September 2025 and the accompanying appendices linked to the missions. The report had been considered by Cheshire West and Chester Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 10th November 2025.   Members noted graph 1 in paragraph 4.2 which showed that for this mid-year period, 80 indicators were reporting as green, 21 were amber and 23 were red in relation to overall performance.  Members’ attention was also drawn to graph 2 in paragraph 4.3 which showed overall performance against targets and graph 3 in paragraph 4.4 which showed performance against activity.    Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of the Council, led the discussion on the item as proposer and the item was seconded by Councillor Adam Langan, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People.   In introducing the report, Councillor Gittins welcomed this improving position from period one and highlighted some areas of positive performance in the Tackling Hardship and Poverty mission, including a reduction in the number of homeless and households in temporary accommodation from period one.  She highlighted an improving picture in the Starting Well mission and, although the mission was facing challenges, she felt that early intervention and prevention work was starting to come to fruition.  The rate of children in care and children subject to a child protection plan was reducing, attainment of all Key Stage 2 children was improving, and the percentage of Education Health and Care Plans agreed within 20 weeks was slowly increasing.  Other areas of strong performance included resilient people living their best lives, measures against physical activity, opportunities in a fair economy, town centre and market town regeneration and employment, training and business support.   Visiting Members: Councillor Charles Hardy spoke in relation to the item.   Members welcomed the comprehensive report and the improving position from period one, and thanked officers, in particular Bev Wilson and Morgan Jones, for their hard work in producing the report and appendices.   Cabinet Members took the opportunity to highlight some of the key headlines, achievements and areas of positive performance and work to be celebrated within their individual portfolios as set out in the report.  Briefly this included boroughwide regeneration and good progress with Ellesmere Port and Northwich markets, on track for completion in 2026; results of the Adult Social Care Survey showing higher rates of satisfaction with care and support in the borough compared to the England average; positive work around the waste strategy; highways defects were lower at this point compared to previous years; and a fall in street care complaints.  Members extended their thanks to all teams across the council for their hard work in relation to focusing more on prevention and continuing to drive improvements.   DECIDED:     That   1)            the performance of the Council at mid-year (1 August to 30 September 2025) against the missions set out in the ‘Play your part in a stronger future’ Borough Plan 2024-28 be noted; and 2)            the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committees be provided with the performance information set out in the report so that they can understand and challenge performance and consider using it to inform scrutiny work programmes across all committees.   Reason for Decision   To ensure that up to date performance information is available to enable the Cabinet, other Members, senior Council officers and the public to understand progress against the Borough Plan. This includes work being undertaken to address any areas of challenge, and to support any necessary discussions about reallocating resources to better achieve the missions set out within the Borough Plan.   Alternative Options   The report includes recommendations. Members could choose not to approve the recommendations. However, this could adversely impact future performance.

Date of Decision: November 12, 2025