To review performance for Quarter 3 (Q3) 2024/25 and to report the performance position across all Directorates for this period.

The member for finance and corporate services introduced the report.   It was highlighted that 140 out of 179 milestones that were due to be in progress by quarter 3 under the Delivery Plan had been completed or were on track to be completed by the end of the financial year. 

It was also highlighted that other successes had been achieved outside the Delivery Plan.  It was noted that the council had continued to deliver on its capital investment program, comprising of over 100 projects.  These included the Barrs Court Road phase 2, Withington Primary School, improvements to schools under the schools capital maintenance programme, section 106 delivery programme, estates capital improvement programme, road resurfacing across the county, integrated wetlands and the transport hub.

In respect of the council theme of people, 31 of the 56 milestones were completed, 21 were on target and 3 were at risk of missing their deadlines and 1 was paused.  It was noted that improving the lives of children and young people made significant progress during quarter 3 which included the opening of the youth employment hub. Key activities to drive further improvements in the care and support of children and young people had been completed. This included a participation strategy, education strategy and the development of the locality model. Regarding adult services, 13 providers had signed up for the community activities framework which included an innovation lot to allow for the development of new opportunities, which will enable the council to support people with disabilities into work.  Further progress had been made in relation to the support provided to unpaid carers of all ages in Herefordshire with the newly formed carers partnership board which was in the process of agreeing the implementation plan which reflected the key priorities identified within the All Age Carers strategy 2024. Further events are also planned to explore carer views on respite provision across the county. 

In respect of the council theme of place, 19 of the 58 milestones in the Delivery Plan were completed, 22 were on target, 11 were at risk of missing a deadline, 3 were paused and 3 were not on target.  The quarter 3 data showed that the council were off target regarding reducing carbon emissions by 1.8%. It was confirmed that work was ongoing regarding the council’s carbon management plan to reach the aim of net zero by 2030.  The heat decarbonization plans for the corporate estates were expected to be carried over to the beginning of the next financial year.  Six properties had been identified, and a procurement framework was now in place. Herefordshire Natural Flood Management (NFM) project now included a live update on the NFM webpages, seasonal newsletters and attending multiple events throughout quarter 3 to keep the community updated. It was noted that the new public realm services operating model was approved in quarter 3 and the completion of public realm improvement works reached practical completion in December.  In addition, a library design consultant was appointed, and the interim  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71