URL: https://cmttpublic.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2074

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 missions set out in the ‘Play your part in a stronger future’ Borough Plan 2024-2028.  The report provided an assessment of progress against the key activities and milestones, performance measures and targets set out in the Annual Delivery Plan, and assessed the Council’s progress towards achieving the Borough Plan missions. The report covered performance over period one of the financial year, from 1 April 2026 to 31 July 2026.   Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of the Council, led the discussion on the item as proposer and the item was seconded by Councillor Stuart Bingham, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Neighbourhood Pride   Members noted that overall performance against the Council’s Borough Plan remained positive, with the majority of measures and actions on track or meeting targets across all six missions.    Cabinet Members took the opportunity to highlight some of the key headlines, achievements, areas of positive performance and also challenges within their individual portfolios. Briefly, areas of strong performance included children’s services reforms, the Starting Well programme, adult social care assessments and the work carried out to deliver the Contaminated Land Strategy and Local Nature Strategy.   Members further noted that key challenges remained around the number of children in residential care, SEND and Education Health and Care Plan timeliness, road repair performance and the delivery of a small number of delayed programmes. Members also acknowledged that fly tipping rates had increased for the first quarter from the previous year.   Despite these pressures, Members were reassured that Borough Plan missions were generally progressing well, with significant regeneration, community investment and service improvement activity continuing across the borough.   Visiting Members: Councillor Simon Eardley spoke in relation to this item and Councillor Charles Hardy spoke on behalf of Councillor Adrian Waddelove in relation to this item.   Cabinet welcomed the report and thanked Council officers across all services for all they did, constantly responding and adapting to changing demands and need in their service area, to ensure continuous improvement for all residents of the Borough.    DECIDED:     That   1)            the performance of the Council at period one (1 April 2026 to 31 July 2026) against the missions set out in the ‘Play your part in a stronger future’ Borough Plan 2024-28 be noted; 2)            the amended measure on the timeliness of road repairs as described in paragraph 4.40 be approved; and 3)            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: September 16, 2026