Agenda item

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. 

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.

As of 31 May 2025, the activities within the Year Ahead Delivery Plan were rated as follows:

·       77% (77) complete

·       4% (4) are delayed by less than 3 months

·       19% (19) will not be met within 3 months of original target date.

The Leader explained that the activity to “identify suitable site(s) to

develop low carbon energy generation plans and complete a feasibility study

for the delivery of the sites as part of the Council’s commitment to deliver a

renewable energy project” would not be met at there were no council sites considered suitable.

Cabinet Members were then invited to detail the achievements related to their portfolios as summarised below:

Councillor Baker-Rogers looked forward to the ambitions set out in the 2025-26 Year Ahead Delivery Plan, including targets relating to NHS Health Checks and setting a smoking quit date. There was a commitment to improving health provision in the town centre and the Castle View Day Service was due to be completed in March 2026.

Councillor Alam highlighted the investment in CCTV and the commencement of two new three year Public Space Protection Orders. 167 anti-social behaviour community protection notices had been issued. In relation to Human Resources matters, Councillor Alam noted that the work experience offer had been refreshed and improvements had been delivered following the Employee Opinion Survey in 2023. Sickness absence had declined but was still a work in progress.

Councillor Beresford had provided a detailed update as part of the Housing Delivery Programme report earlier on the agenda. She did however note the work ongoing on Selective Licensing and highlighted the extended consultation that was currently taking place.

Councillor Williams noted the implementation of new pedestrian crossings at Cortonwood and Swallownest in early 2025. Construction had begun on the Riverside Gardens and Corporate Street public realms works. Transport infrastructure investment continued, including the Parkway Widening scheme, which had been completed and highways maintenance through the £24m to 2024 Roads Programme.

Councillor Marshall stated that the cultural and community programme continued to thrive. Attendance at events had risen by 13.3% and helped boost customer satisfaction with culture, sport and tourism services to 97%. The Reytons homecoming gig and the Children’s Capital of Culture initiative had been key highlights. Construction had begun on a new water splash facility in Clifton Park and the Destination Management Plan had been published in July 2024. Councillor Marshall highlighted that at least 121 16 to 25 years old had been recruited as paid Trainee Young Producers whilst a further 217 young people had achieved Arts Awards. Green Flag accreditation had been awarded to four parks in Rotherham in 2024. Work had been delayed on the new café facilities at Rother Valley Country Park and Thrybergh Country Park but progress had been made. Progress had also been made on flood alleviation schemes.

Councillor Cusworth noted the launch of the baby packs scheme and the increase in the number of families registered with a Family Hub. Further, 175 support sessions had been delivered to enhance the under 5’s offer and £1.586 million worth of food vouchers had been provided to eligible children in the school holidays. The Eric Manns building was to be turned into a new hub for young people with SEND. Councillor Cusworth also detailed the achievements in relation to neighbourhoods and member development.

The report was considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Management

Board (OSMB), who advised that the recommendations be supported. OSMB had requested that the report be shorter and more accessible in future. They had also asked for an appendix that specifically highlighted the activities that were off target. The Leader agreed to take this matters into consideration.

Resolved:

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.