URL: https://cmttpublic.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2026

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 six missions set out in the ‘Play your part in a stronger future’ Borough Plan 2024-2028.  Members noted that this was the second year of delivery of the Borough Plan and that this was the third report in this current year 2025-26 and focused on performance from 1 October to 30 November 2025.   Members were reminded of the six missions within the Borough Plan as follows:   ·         Starting well ·         Tackling hardship and poverty ·         Resilient people living their best lives ·         Opportunity in a fair local economy  ·         Neighbourhood pride ·         Greener communities   In addition to the six missions, there was an underpinning cross-cutting council objective of “Doing this differently”.   Members’ attention was drawn to graph 1 in paragraph 4.2 which showed that for this mid-year period, in relation to overall performance, 75 indicators were reporting as green (a significant majority of the actions and measures being reported), 14 were amber and 31 were red.  Members further noted graph 2 in paragraph 4.3 which showed overall performance against measures and targets, and graph 3 in paragraph 4.4 which showed performance against the milestones set out within the Council’s Annual Delivery Plan.   Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of the Council, led the discussion on the item and the item was seconded by Councillor Carol Gahan, Cabinet Member for Finance and Legal.   In introducing the report, Councillor Gittins highlighted the positive overall performance showing right across all the missions.  In relation to “Starting Well”, the rate of children in care and the number of young people subject to a child protection plan was improving, with the number of children in care falling to its lowest level since May 2022.  In addition, the number of young people in residential placements and the rate of children who become the subject of a child protection plan was slowly improving. In relation to the “Greener Communities” mission, the Council’s total greenhouse gas emissions had reduced by 14% on the previous year and the Council’s electricity consumption and gas usage had reduced.  Under “Doing things differently” it was noted that significant improvements had been made to the timeliness of responses to complaints.   Visiting Members:  Councillor Charles Hardy spoke on behalf of Councillor Adrian Waddelove in relation to the item.   Cabinet Members welcomed the report and took the opportunity to briefly highlight some of the key headlines, achievements and areas of positive performance within their individual portfolios. In summary, the following was highlighted as areas of strong performance and improvement - the work of the skills and employment service in supporting businesses and local people to start or remain in work; Chester Market’s increased footfall and trade; the work of the Benefits team with residents to maximise their income and implement the new National Crisis Resilience Fund being launched in April 2026.  In addition, visits to Brio Leisure hubs for sports and physical activity were well above target and Brio was congratulated for its recent award success at this year’s UKActive Awards, winning both the ‘Education Programme of the Year’ and the ‘Outstanding Organisation of the Year’ awards.   In relation to the timeliness of completing Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), Members acknowledged this area still required improvement although they welcomed the progress, highlighting that, in addition to the Council, partners including schools and the NHS were also involved in completing EPCPs.   Cabinet Members extended their thanks to council teams across the organisation for their hard work and dedication in challenging times.  They felt that staff should feel proud, highlighting the Council’s resilience and the way services were being delivered, acknowledging the difficulties facing many Local Authorities.   DECIDED:    That   1)            the performance of the Council at period three (1 October to 30 November 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 and so it is not recommended.

Date of Decision: January 14, 2026