To approve the council’s Delivery Plan 2025-26.

ChildrenCHTHE MEMBER the The member for finance and corporate services introduced the report.  It was highlighted that the Delivery Plan was directly linked to the Council Plan 2024-2028 which was approved at full council on the 24th of May 2024.

The Council Plan together with the Medium Term Financial Forecast (MTFS) were the overarching policy framework documents, where decisions will be taken and resource is allocated over the next three years.

It was highlighted that the administration had set themselves an ambitious target of 113 deliverables and 259 milestones.  

Under ‘People’ it was noted that the council will enable residents to realise their potential to be healthy, to be part of great communities supporting each other and for all children to have the best start in life.  There were 6 objectives with 32 two key deliverables and 88 key milestones.

Under ‘Place’ it was noted that the council will protect and enhance its environment and ensure that Herefordshire was a great place to live. The council will support the right housing in the right place and will do everything it can to improve the health of its rivers.  There were 9 objectives, 44 listed deliverables supported by 94 key milestones.

Under ‘Growth’ it was noted that the council will create the conditions to deliver sustainable growth across the county, attracting inward investment, building business confidence, creating jobs, enabling housing development along with providing the right infrastructure.  There were 6 objectives, 19 listed deliverables and 38 key milestones.

Under ‘Transformation’ it was noted that the council will be efficient, embrace best practise, deliver innovation through technology and demonstrate value for money.  There were 6 objectives, 18 deliverables and 39 key milestones. 

It was confirmed that the monitoring of the Delivery Plan would be completed quarterly at Cabinet and would also include an addendum to cover the Transformation Strategy milestones.  It was confirmed that routine financial monitoring against the approved revenue and capital programme would be included in the quarterly budget reporting to Cabinet.  It was further noted that monthly progress reports would be provided to the Corporate Leadership Team, annual service plans (outlining service area priorities and key areas of focus) would also be included.  Finally, annual individual performance and development plans would be written.

It was confirmed that development of any projects within the Delivery Plan for 25/26 would seek to minimise any adverse environmental impact and would identify opportunities to improve and enhance environmental performance.   

Comments from cabinet members.  The Delivery Plan was noted to be a positive and ambitious Plan.  The format of the Plan meant it was clear to see if items would be delivered or not, increasing transparency and openness. Within the Environment directorate the cabinet member was looking forward to the regenerative farm mentoring program, the Wye catchment, the nutrient management plan and the solar car port items being progressed.  It was highlighted that the Council Plan was the ‘golden thread’ that leads through all the plans, and it was positive to see the areas  ...  view the full minutes text for item 81