Issue - meetings

Report from the Assistant Chief Executive.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:

1. Note the overall position in relation to the Year Ahead Delivery Plan activities.

2. Note the Quarter 4 data for the Council Plan performance measures.
    
3. Note that the Council has been using a new Council Plan from June 2025 with this being  ...  view the full agenda text for item 29

Consideration was given to the report which presented the final progress update on the Council Plan 2022-25, attached at Appendix 1 to the report. This included performance measures for Quarter 4 (January to March 2025) and progress updates on the Year Ahead Delivery Plan actions up to 31 May 2025.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29

Report from the Assistant Chief Executive.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:

1. Note the overall position in relation to the Year Ahead Delivery Plan activities.

2. Note the Quarter 4 data for the Council Plan performance measures.
    
3. Note that the Council has been using a new Council Plan from June 2025 with this being the final report for the 2022-25 Council Plan. 

Members welcomed John Edwards, Chief Executive on his appointment to the Council.

At the Chair’s invitation the Leader of the Council, Councillor Read introduced the report, indicating that this was an overview of the final year-end report for the 2024–25 delivery plan, whilst noting that the Council had already agreed on the new plan for 2025–26. He described the current moment as a transitional phase, wrapping up the previous plan while the new one was already in motion.

The Leader noted that 77% of the actions committed for 2024–25 had been delivered and 60% of measurable performance indicators were on target. A number of actions were delayed, and one action may be abandoned due to feasibility issues.

The Leader structured his update around the five themes of the Council Plan:

1. Thriving Neighbourhoods:
   • PSPO consultation and community safety strategy completed.
   • The years Cultural events programme had been delivered.
   • Delays in local neighbourhood road safety schemes and CCTV software procurement.
   • The Maltby East scheme caused delays in the Towns and Villages Fund.

2. People are Safe, Healthy and Live Well:
   • Repairs and maintenance policy approved in November 2024.
   • The temporary accommodation offer had expanded by 17 homes.
   • Domestic abuse delivery model review had been completed but decisions deferred to align with strategy review.

3. Every Child Able to Fulfil Their Potential:
   • The baby packs had been commissioned and distributed.
   • Increase in family registrations which was welcomed.
   • The SEN hub building work scheduled.
   • Independent training delivered to 24 young people.
   • Work on the water splash area at Clifton Park had begun.
   • Delays in children’s care home programme due to staffing and registration.

4. Expanding Economic Opportunity:
   • 464 attendees at business workshops for start-ups and new businesses.
   • 132 grant offers for financial assistance issued through UKSPF grants.
   • Public realm improvements at Riverside Gardens and Co-operation Street were underway.
   • Delays in Temple Brook Business Zone due to ownership and stakeholder challenges.
   • Local Plan revision delayed due to government target changes.
   • Progress had been made on flood alleviation schemes and community energy engagement.

5. Cleaner, Greener Rotherham:
   • Delays in works at Thrybergh Country Park and some flood defence schemes.
   • Fleet replacement plan behind schedule; 23 of 60 vehicles procured.
   • Heat decarbonisation plan agreed, but solar canopy work at Riverside House delayed.
   • One project—Low Carbon Energy Regeneration Plan—likely to be abandoned due to site issues and feasibility concerns.

6. One Council:
   • 75,000 online transactions recorded in Q1 2025.
   • The continued development of self-service forms and website improvements.
   • Early Careers Hub launched in December 2024.

The Leader acknowledged the breadth of the report, noting that while much had been achieved, there were areas requiring further attention or re-evaluation.

The Chair invited members of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board (OSMB) to raise questions and queries on the points raised earlier.

Councillor A Cater asked about the decision timeline and status for the projects considered as part of the Our Places Fund. The Leader explained Consultation had been completed and two decisions (Maltby East and Swinton Centre Public  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17