Cabinet received a report of the Managing Director, Executive Head of Strategy and Communications and Head of Enterprise Programme Management Office.  The report provided an update on the progress of the Council Plan, Organisational Development Strategy and Covid-19 Road to Renewal Plan.

The Mayor welcomed the report and commented that it was good to see the progress being made.  He invited the Managing Director to introduce the report.

The Managing Director highlighted some of the key achievements over the last three months.  The report included some of the completed projects under the Council Plan’s three themes, the Organisational Development Strategy and the Covid-19 Road to Renewal Plan.  She thanked all the council’s staff who had been unwavering in their commitment to deliver the projects.

The Mayor thanked the Managing Director and endorsed her comments.  However, he felt the council had undersold itself in the report.  He referred to the re-profiling of dementia work.  It seemed to imply the work had been paused.

The Managing Director noted the Mayor’s comments about ‘re-profiling’ and assured members that it did not mean that projects had been paused.  The phrase would be reviewed for future reports.

All portfolio holders commented on the report and acknowledged the work that had been achieved across all areas.  It was agreed to be an ambitious programme.  Key points included –

·             First steps leadership programme and learning how to grow the council’s own staff.

·             The great works in parks and open spaces, which had been enjoyed during lockdown.

·             IT team had enabled the council’s work to carry on.

·             Mental health support for staff.

·             Success of Oxhey Activity Park.

·             Work carried out to ensure local economy thrives.

Councillor Bell noted the Mayor’s comments about the dementia projects and welcomed these plus the other important initiatives.  He noted the amount of funds left in the renewal fund and asked if there were any plans how this would be used.

The Managing Director advised that the report had highlighted the areas of work that had already been funded.  Officers were actively look at how the remaining funding could be used to best support the road to renewal.  For example with the new national restrictions there may be new initiatives that arose to support the local economy

RESOLVED –

1.      that Cabinet notes the progress updates within this report relating to:

·             the Council Plan 2020-24 and Delivery Plan 2020 -22 (Appendix A);

·             the Organisational Development Strategy 2020-24 (Appendix B); and

·             the Road to Renewal Plan (Appendix C).

2.      that the significant corporate effort over the last four months that has resulted in the level of progress made against all three plans be noted.

3.      that the impact of external factors on some areas of delivery be noted. These will be re-profiled to reflect the current environment during Quarter 3. Whilst delivery over the life of the plans remains a corporate commitment, the impact of the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic will be the focus of the council’s corporate effort.

4.      that the proposal to bring regular updates to Cabinet on the three plans on a quarterly basis be noted. From Quarter 3 the ambition is to include reporting on the Council Plan and Delivery Plan and the Road to Renewal Plan on the council’s new business intelligence platform. Once this is established a similar approach will be taken to the Organisational Development Strategy 2020-24 and Delivery Plan.

5.      that Cabinet notes that a communications plan will be linked to the update reporting on the Council Plan and Road to Renewal Plan to ensure the Council communicates its progress and achievements to our community. An annual report will be developed on the Council Plan progress, which will be distributed to residents and stakeholders.

6.      that Cabinet notes staff will be engaged throughout the delivery of the Organisational Development Strategy and regular opportunities to feedback will be an integral part of delivery.