Agenda item

(A report by James Gilbert, Assistant Director – Corporate)

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Dale Broughton, presented a report by the Assistant Director – Corporate and the Assistant Director – Governance & Monitoring Officer which provided Cabinet with an overview of the Council’s performance and risk position as at the end of September 2025. It set out progress against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), highlighted areas of underperformance, and summarised changes to the strategic risk register. Cabinet was advised that the quarterly update formed part of the Council’s governance framework, supporting transparency and informed decision-making. The report included detailed performance data at Appendix A, the Council’s risk registers at Appendix B, Partnership risks at Appendix C, and fraud risks at Appendix D.

Overall performance remained strong across most service areas, with the majority of indicators on or above target. The report confirmed that 92 KPIs were being monitored for 2025/26, including 27 targeted measures directly within the Council’s control and 65 trend indicators providing contextual insight. While most indicators were performing well, two areas required improvement:

·         Corporate Complaints Response Times – 86.67% of complaints were responded to within corporately agreed timescales, against a target of 95%.

·         Subject Access Requests (SARs) – 83.33% were completed within statutory timescales, also below the 95% target.

Actions were in place to address these issues, including process reviews, improved escalation routes, and additional training for staff.

The report also highlighted positive developments in risk management. The risk associated with server room infrastructure had reduced from high to medium following agreement to progress relocation and upgrade works. The likelihood of failing to meet the Council’s Net Zero target had decreased, with mitigation measures now embedded and the decarbonisation programme on track. Depot capacity risk had also reduced following confirmation of an extension to the depot lease from April 2025, ensuring sufficient space for future growth and the introduction of food waste collections. Other significant risks, including financial sustainability, cybersecurity, and reliance on third-party providers, remained under close review with mitigation actions ongoing.

Members welcomed the positive overall performance and acknowledged the resilience demonstrated across services. The strong food safety performance was noted, with 97.5% of rateable food businesses achieving a rating of three stars or above, which was considered reassuring for residents and visitors during the festive season.

The discussion recognised the importance of addressing underperformance in complaints handling and SARs to maintain public confidence. The measures being implemented to streamline processes and improve data sharing were supported, with an emphasis on monitoring progress closely.

Members also endorsed the proactive approach to risk management and the reduction in several key risks. The improvements in infrastructure planning and environmental commitments were highlighted as essential for future service resilience. It was agreed that while the overall position was positive, continuous improvement remained a priority, particularly in areas where targets had not been met.

The recommendation was moved by Councillor Dale Broughton and seconded by Councillor John Baxter.

Resolved:

That the quarterly performance and risk monitoring information for Q2 of 2025/26 be noted.

[Councillor Stephen Woodliffe entered the meeting at 6.04pm, during consideration of the above item.]