Agenda item

Report from the Assistant Chief Executive.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet note:

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

2.    The Quarter 2 2022-23 data for the Council Plan performance measures.

3.    The performance reporting timetable for the remainder of the 2023-2024 year.

Consideration was given to the report which provided an update on the progress made on the activities in the Year Ahead Delivery Plan as well as the Council Plan. The Council Plan set out the outcomes that the Council would work towards over the period from 2022 to 2025. There were 26 outcomes and 47 commitments in total. To ensure delivery against these, the Year Ahead Delivery Plan included 98 priority actions/milestones to mostly be delivered by March 2024.

The Council Plan was being monitored through both the delivery of the milestones and activities within the Year Ahead Delivery Plan and the 68 performance measures outlined in the Council Plan. The performance measures included a mixture of output measures and longer-term outcome measures.

The mid-year progress report (Appendix 1) focused on the progress made across all the Year Ahead Delivery Plan activities to deliver the 5 headline priorities for Rotherham as set out in the Council Plan for 2022-25. The report had been designed to ensure that progress on the Year Ahead Delivery Plan activities was as up to date as possible up to the time of publication.

As of 30th November, 2023, the activities within the Year Ahead Delivery Plan were rated as follows:

·        33% (32) complete

·        49% (48) are on track to be delivered by original target date

·        10% (10) are delayed by less than 3 months

·        8% (8) will not be met within 3 months of original target date

During the meeting, each Cabinet Member gave a verbal report on progress within their portfolio:

Neighbourhood Working and Housing – Councillor Allen referenced the Every Neighbourhood Thriving theme, specifically the Local Towns and Villages are improved outcome. The status of this was Known Delays. However, 10 projects within Round 1 had been delivered. 22 projects were to be delivered by March 2024.  A further 3 schemes were on site and 4 were ready to commence. Councillor Allen noted that the scheme for Aston and Todwick had not yet received Member approval. There were issues with the scheme in Brinsworth due to private ownership issues with land. In relation to the People Are Safe, Health and Live Well theme, it was confirmed that the 3 housing measures (2.10 (a), (b) and (c)) would not be met within the given timeframe but would be commenced by Quarter 3 2024/25. The achievements for the 2 themes were set out at pages 475 to  478 of the agenda pack.

Corporate Services, Community Safety and Finance – Councillor Alam highlighted the deliver a communications campaign to promote access to enforcement services, such as the out of hours team, and establish a robust performance management framework for the services outcome. This was on track and the Service continued to promote outcomes via social media and press releases. Work was also being done to work with services, partners and communities to promote equality, celebrate diversity and ensure fairness for everyone. Councillor Alam also highlighted the employee engagement survey and the manager development programme.

Social Inclusion and Environment – Councillor Sheppard highlighted those outcomes that were at risk or delay. This included the restoration of Waterloo Kiln which was delayed in order to allow for better weather conditions. The masterplans at both Thrybergh and Rother Valley Country Parks were progressing but behind schedule. The delayed designs and costings were due to a further analysis of the components and materials, the full outcome of which would not be known until January 2024. Positives included the procurement of a new Household Waste Recycling Service which commenced in October 2023. The new contract provided a number of benefits. The pilot for a commercial Waste Recycling Service had been completed and was to be rolled out to all existing customers, both internal and external. Further, work had been completed at Thurcroft Library which was a great community asset. A great number of events had taken place and the Signal Music Festival was scheduled for February 2024 half term. Work was also continuing on the commitment to become the first Children’s Capital of Culture in 2025.

Jobs and the Local Economy – Councillor Lelliott highlighted that the number of new businesses started with help from the Council was off track. In Swinton, the Civic Hall had been refurbished and work on the new library and neighbourhood hub had begun after roof leaks caused delays. It was expected to be finished by the end of March, with demolition of the old library following in 2024/25. Councillor Lelliott also highlighted the positive news that the Century 2 business incubation hub had officially opened. In the town centre, initial works for the markets and library redevelopment were underway and the flagship leisure development at Forge Island was on track for completion by April. The Riverside Gardens scheme was delayed after a procurement exercise failed to award a contract. Construction would now begin in the next financial year.

Children and Young People – Councillor Cusworth explained that the Council was continuing with the development of residential homes, so children in care and young people in Rotherham could remain in the Borough. Whilst some delays had arisen due to registrations and challenges with access permissions to the properties, all 4 two-bedroom homes were still due to open by Quarter 4. On a positive, the number of Children in Need had reduced further. The number of children with a Child Protection Plan remained on target and the number of Children in Care had continued to reduce. Councillor Cusworth also confirmed that the phonics screening test results were above the national average.

Adult Social Care and Health – Councillor Roche confirmed that an average of 96.3% of all adults involved in a safeguarding enquiry felt that their personal outcomes were being met. This was well above the national average. The proportion of those people following reablement with no further requests for support continued to perform well and exceed the Council Plan target and comparative data from 2022/23 Quarter 2. The new Alcohol and Drugs Services contract had started in April 2023 and was performing well. The ‘Say Yes’ campaign, a new public health improvement  and prevention campaign providing advice on areas such as smoking, tobacco control, food and physical activity had launched in June 2023 on social media and on RotherHive. Further, Councillor Roche confirmed that Rotherham was now officially recognised as a Breastfeeding Friendly Borough. The building groundwork for Castle View was on track.

The report was considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board (OSMB), who advised that the recommendations be supported. The Board appreciated the honesty regarding delays.

Resolved:

That Cabinet note:

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

2.    The Quarter 2 2022-23 data for the Council Plan performance measures.

3.    The performance reporting timetable for the remainder of the 2023-2024 year.