Decision details

Cabinet received a report of the Intelligence, Performance and Improvement Lead which provided details of the Continuous Improvement Framework for approval.

The Mayor invited Councillor Watkin to introduce the report.

Councillor Watkin stated that during his time as a councillor he had seen the council transformed.  The council was more reactive and higher performing than previously.  However, it was facing some of the greatest challenges than it had on the past.  The journey of improvement needed to continue.  He explained how the Council Plan set out the council’s ambitions.  The Office of Local Government required councils to set out a continuous improvement approach.  This framework ensured the council was in line with that requirement.  Through workshops, engagement had been carried out with officers during the summer.  Portfolio Holders had also been involved.  The Continuous Improvement Framework encouraged collective learning.  A simple definition had been included in the framework.  It would be closely linked to the Information and Insight Strategy.  A new performance app would be developed which would enable improved analysis of the key performance indicator results.  There would be an expansion of customer feedback.  Sharing sessions would be arranged to share experiences related to improvement.

The Mayor thanked the Intelligence, Performance and Improvement Lead for her work on the framework and invited her to add any further information.

The Intelligence, Performance and Improvement Lead informed Cabinet that three workshops had been held over the summer.  At the time she had been unsure how the subject would be perceived.  However, all those involved had been enthusiastic and keen to learn from each other.  The framework would point people in the right direction and provide information about the tools available.

In response to the Mayor’s question about any significant change, the officer advised that part of it was about raising awareness and tools available to enable continuous improvement.  The opportunity was available to share internally, externally, with partners and other councils. 

The Mayor enquired whether members would also have access.  The Intelligence, Performance and Improvement Lead responded that certain reports would be available to Portfolio Holders.  Information would also be included on the intranet.  Officer sharing sessions would be arranged, although she was unsure if they would be open to members.  Members feedback would be appreciated.

Councillor Watkin added that everyone lived in a fast-changing world and it was important to be able to react.  Portfolio Holders needed to be able to see live information rather than historical data.  It would enable officers to react quicker.

Councillor Stotesbury felt the framework would reduce overhead in officer time and the data would be more relevant.

RESOLVED –

that the Continuous Improvement Framework be adopted.