Corporate Plan 2023-2027 update report

The officer introduced the report and explained that following the May 2023 Borough elections, the administration had developed a Corporate Plan setting out its vision and priorities for the period 2023–2027, which had been adopted by the Council in April 2024. Members were advised that the report before them was the second annual update and provided progress against the actions within the Corporate Plan.

It was reported that, of the 59 actions identified, 47 were rated green, including nine completed actions, 37 ongoing or on track, and one completed with ongoing delivery. Twelve actions were rated amber and none were rated red. Members were informed that since the previous update in March 2025, a number of actions had improved in status. The officer also outlined that, in light of local government reorganisation and a proposed vesting day of 1 April 2028, it remained important for the Council to maintain an up‑to‑date Corporate Plan. Members were therefore invited to note the update and consider the recommendation to commence work on a new Corporate Plan in autumn 2026, to be effective from May 2027.

Members made comments including:

• Acknowledged the progress made against the Corporate Plan, alongside a caution that the Council should remain focused on delivering existing policies and strategies rather than diverting resources prematurely towards developing new ones;
• whilst starting work on a new Corporate Plan in late 2026 was appropriate, priority should remain on delivery during the remaining life of the current plan;
• queries about whether the recommendation should be amended to reflect uncertainty around local government reorganisation and the possibility of elections, and whether this would affect the length or scope of a future plan;
• concerns regarding the operation of the RAG rating system, particularly where actions rated amber were perceived by Members as being further behind delivery than the status suggested;
• specific reference to street cleansing improvements, with the view that delays in delivery could warrant a red rating rather than amber;
• suggestions that definitions and thresholds used for red, amber and green ratings should be reviewed when developing the next Corporate Plan;
• comments that positive work undertaken by the Council in relation to apprenticeships, work experience and skills development could be given greater prominence in future updates; and
• observations that health inequalities were not always clearly articulated or discussed at committee level, despite being identified as a consideration within the Corporate Plan.

Officers responded that:

• The current update was based on information provided by Heads of Service, who exercised professional judgement when assigning RAG ratings in accordance with agreed definitions;
• an amber rating reflected actions that were delayed but still progressing towards completion, rather than being on hold;
• there was inevitable overlap between ratings in some circumstances, and the classification was not always clear‑cut;
• in the event of changes to local government reorganisation or elections, it would be for any future administration to determine how to proceed with corporate planning priorities; and
• health implications were considered as part of decision‑making processes, with Members able to raise concerns where they believed such issues required greater emphasis.

Resolved:

(1) That the update on delivery of the Corporate Plan 2023–2027 be noted.

(2) That work begins on developing a new Corporate Plan in autumn 2026, to take effect from May 2027.