To approve the proposals for the Delivery Plan for 2023/24.  Each year Cabinet is required to produce a delivery plan which sets out how the strategic ambitions for the year will be achieved.

The Cabinet member for finance and corporate services introduced the report, the principal points were raised.

The Delivery Plan for 2023/24 identifies the key programmes of work that the administration will progress during 2023-24 under the three ambitions of the current County Plan: Economy, Community and Environment. This delivery plan includes the continuation of some key deliverables of note which include:

·        Improvement of Children’s Services

·        River Quality – securing a partnership approach to achieve river restoration

·        Waste Strategy – moving further up the waste hierarchy

·        Development of a new library and museum

·        Deliver the Hereford Transport Strategy and City Centre Masterplan

·        Employment land – develop put first phase of employment sites

·        Investment in Infrastructure.

This Delivery Plan will form the basis of performance reporting into the Corporate Leadership Team on a monthly basis and to the Cabinet quarterly, alongside financial and risk reporting.

The new County Plan for the next four year period is in development and will reflect the aims and ambitions of the Council. It will focus on improving the county’s infrastructure, protecting the environment and putting the needs of residents first.

Scrutiny Management Board has recommended that:

The format the Delivery Plan is amended so that it is easier to identify specific items.

That a closure report for the County Plan and this year’s Delivery Plan is includes what has been achieved be produced.

That the timeline for the County Plan 2024-28 and the Delivery Plan for 2024/25 is realigned to full council on 8 March 2024.

Cabinet members discussed the report and it was noted that:

Following Scrutiny Management Board it highlighted that further detail was needed.  It was clarified that a closure report will be produced on the County Plan with specifics addressed in the Delivery Plan.  

Feedback from the Scrutiny Management Board on the Delivery Plan was presented by the Chairperson;

Noted that the improvement comments would be taken on board for the County Plan alongside the metrics and key performance indicators for the first year. 

Noting that Cabinet are accepting there is a working group to work in parallel with the development of the County Plan.

Acknowledged that a closure report for the four year County Plan will be produced and this will make it clearer as to what has been achieved and what isn’t being pursed. 

Group leaders gave the views of their groups.  The closure report was welcomed to feed into the County Plan but highlighted the need to show the connections between the previous County Plan and the Delivery Plan.   Queried when the performance report for Quarter 2 (appendix E) will be available.  Concerns were raised regarding the ongoing issues in Children’s and Young People and how this will ever be resolved.  Concerns were also raised regarding the structure of the Council and suggested the management structure should be reviewed. 

In response to queries it was noted that:

The performance report will be coming to Cabinet as a separate report.  

In respect of delivering outcomes for Children’s and Young People, there have been elements of improvement but acknowledged there was still much work to be done.  Recognised that much of the improvement activity is now business as usual within the department but it will take time to see the improved outcomes.  Confirmed the Children’s Commissioner has produced a report, which will be shared in due course, and it recommended that Children’s Services stay within the Local Authority which recognises the progress that has been made. 

It was unanimously resolved that;

(a)         Cabinet approves the Delivery Plan 2023/24, as set out in appendix A.