Lead Member – Councillor Heather Kidd, Leader

Lead Officer – Rachel Robinson, Director of Public Health

RESOLVED

3.1 To review, comment on, and recommend the draft Improvement Plan (Appendix 1) to Council.  

3.2 To recommend to Council the governance arrangements set out in the Plan.  

3.3 To recommend to Council that the capacity and resources to support the delivery of transformation required through this plan will be aligned to the MTFS. 

The Leader introduced the draft Improvement Plan, stressing the urgent need to address the Council’s financial emergency, respond to external audit and peer challenge findings, and restore stability. The plan outlined three improvement aims and nine priority programmes, forming a framework to coordinate existing work and guide transformation through to 2027. An independently chaired Improvement Board would oversee progress and provide challenge and ideas.

It was noted that the plan was not a detailed delivery document but a high?level framework that would continue to evolve. Transparency and engagement had been central to its development, with input from staff, members, partners, and scrutiny. Further supporting plans, in addition to the  People Plan, would follow.

During discussion, Members raised points on value for money, redesigning services, digital inclusion, and the need for broader community partnerships. It was confirmed that several LGA deep?dive reviews (children’s finances, adults’ social care, transformation) were underway. Early findings showed pressure linked to high service demand and reduced investment in early prevention. Officers noted that capacity gaps limited the Council’s ability to assess minimum service levels and emphasised the need to rebuild capability, strengthen place?based work, and improve organisational understanding.

Members recognised the scale and difficulty of the transformation required and the need to make rapid progress. 

RESOLVED

3.1 To review, comment on, and recommend the draft Improvement Plan (Appendix 1) to Council.  

3.2 To recommend to Council the governance arrangements set out in the Plan.  

3.3 To recommend to Council that the capacity and resources to support the delivery of transformation required through this plan will be aligned to the MTFS. 

To update the committee on the progress of the development of the Improvement Plan

REPORT TO FOLLOW

The Executive Director for Public Health presented the Improvement Plan, outlining its three aims and nine programmes, the role of the independent Improvement Board, and the governance structure involving cabinet, scrutiny, and senior accountable officers, with emphasis on transparency, engagement, and outcome-focused monitoring.

Members noted that a set of around 20 key performance indicators has been established to measure the impact of the improvement plan, with regular updates and opportunities for scrutiny to review progress and conduct deep dives into specific areas as needed.

Members expressed appreciation for the inclusive development process and stressed the importance of outcome-focused measures, flexibility in monitoring, and supporting staff through change management.