The committee received a report of the Executive Head of Strategy and Communications and the Head of the Enterprise Programme Office.

The Executive Head of Strategy and Communications made a presentation to the scrutiny committee setting out progress on the council’s strategic framework comprising the Council Plan 2020-24 and Delivery Plan 2020-22; the Organisational Development Strategy 2020-24 and Delivery Plan; and Covid-19 Road to Renewal Plan. The presentation was published on the agenda.

During the presentation, officers highlighted a number of key points:

·                    Key achievements including a further five green flags for the parks, the strong performance of the investment portfolio, revitalisation of the market, the Sustainable Transport Strategy, the adoption of the new Local Plan, engagement with businesses and the launch of a new heritage trail.

·                    Ongoing work included a customer experience strategy, the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, a conservation area management plan and a low carbon transport hub.

·                    Notable successes in the OD Strategy included Watford Health and You being shortlisted for award by the Royal Society for Public Health, mental health training rolled out to managers, development of agile charters, leadership development programmes, employment of kickstarters as well as appointment of Group Head Assistants.

·                    HR and OD work which was ongoing included the values and behaviours workshops, succession planning and organisational resilience, and a performance development module.

A number of key areas were also highlighted in the Road to Renewal update including the successful Audentior Awards, business growth grants, the continued use of the vaccination centre and the digitisation of the waste and recycling service.

During discussions the following points were raised:

·                    There had been an impact on the delivery on initial timescales in some areas due to Covid, but these were now being progressed at pace.

·                    The Group Head Assistants were undertaking additional responsibilities considered to be about one day per week. More delegation to their teams was encouraged and they received additional remuneration.

RESOLVED –

1.                  that the committee note the progress updates within the report relating to:

·                    the Council Plan 2020-24 and Delivery Plan 2020 -22

·                    the Organisational Development Strategy 2020-24 

·                    the Road to Renewal Plan

2.                  The impact of external factors on some of the areas of delivery. Where this is the case, the area have been reviewed to reflect the current environment during the last period. The focus on delivery within the life of the plans remains a corporate commitment.