The Cabinet has decided to approve the performance of the Council against the missions set out in the 'Play your part in a stronger future' Borough Plan 2024-28.

URL: https://cmttpublic.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2063

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 set out 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. This report focused on performance over period four of the financial year, from 1 December 2025 to 31 March 2026.   Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of the Council, led the discussion on the item as proposer and the item was seconded by Councillor Nathan Pardoe, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Regeneration and Digital Transformation.   Councillor Gittins explained that the report set out the performance against key indicators and highlighted graph 1 (section 4.2) with 81 indicators showing as green, 15 showing as amber and 34 showing as red in relation to overall performance at year end. In addition, graph 2 (section 4.3) set out a summary of measure performance against target at year end, with 36 actions green, 8 actions amber and 29 actions red. Members noted the report had been considered at Cheshire West and Chester Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 6th July 2026.  Members were encouraged to drill down into the missions detailed in the appendices where each of the missions were assessed as progressing well, with the majority of actions and measures showing as green against target.   Councillor Gittins highlighted some positive areas of performance with the missions, in particular in the ‘Starting Well’ mission the reducing rate of Children in Care which had fallen from 83 in March 2025 to 75 in 2026, the lowest rate since 2022.  In the ‘Tackling Hardship and Poverty’ mission there were 900 homelessness preventions which was increasing year on year and the number of homeless households in temporary accommodation remained green.  Within ‘Resilient people living their best lives’, the number of carers assessments was continuing to grow, as was the number of visits to Brio Leisure Centres for physical activity.  Within the ‘Opportunity in a fair local economy’ mission, Councillor Gittins highlighted the number of people supported by the Council to start or stay in work as well as placement support for young people. Finally, under the ‘Neighbourhood Pride’ mission, there had been significant work to ensure private rented sector properties were safe and healthy places to live and 188,488 trees had been planted.   Visiting Members: Councillors Charles Hardy (on behalf of Councillor Adrian Waddelove) and Simon Eardley spoke in relation to the item.   Cabinet Members welcomed the report and took the opportunity to highlight some of the key headlines, achievements and areas of positive performance within their individual portfolios which were all detailed in the appendices.  Councillor Gittins also took the opportunity to highlight the Performance Highlights webpage on the Council’s website at: Performance Highlights 25-26 | CWC Borough Plan which publicly reported on performance progress and included a range of video stories which brought to life the human element of the performance data and the impact on residents.   DECIDED:     That    1)            the performance of the Council at period four (1 December 2025 to 31 March 2026) 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: July 15, 2026