Issue - meetings

Report of the Executive Head of Strategy and Communications and Head of Enterprise Programme Management Office

Cabinet received a report of the Executive Head of Strategy and Communications and Head of Enterprise Programme Management Office, which included the latest update on the progress of the plans under the Strategic Framework. This included the council’s Delivery Plan 2020-22 and the Organisational Development Strategy 2020-24.

The Mayor introduced the report and thanked officers for all their work in achieving the progress set out in the document.  He invited the Managing Director to provide further information.

The Managing Director advised that the Head of Enterprise Programme Management Office had the responsibility for oversight of the programme.  She acknowledged the programme was ambitious.  It was intended that an update would be included in the next edition of About Watford in order to inform Watford residents on progress against the Delivery Plan.

The Managing Director reported on some of the highlights.  These included:

·        Watford Borough Council being assigned as district lead on the cross- organisational Hertfordshire-wide ‘Staying Connected’ project.  The core aim of the project was to help those socially isolated to stay connected.

·        ‘Market Lates’ event which included food, music and entertainment.

·        £3.7 million awarded to the council to assist in the decarbonisation works in the Town Hall and Colosseum.

·        Supporting managers with training to help them identify early signs of mental health issues within their teams.

·        Five new people had joined the council as part of the Kickstart scheme, who would be with the council for six months.  This was separate to apprentices.

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 to the report)

·        the Organisational Development Strategy 2020-24 (Appendix B to the report)

2.         That Cabinet notes, as outlined in the original report to Cabinet in July 2020, that the progress to date will be communicated publicly to our residents.

3.         That Cabinet notes the significant corporate effort over the last three months that has resulted in a substantial level of progress made against the plans.

4.         That Cabinet notes the impact of external factors on some of the areas of delivery. Where this is the case, the areas have been reviewed to reflect the current environment during Quarter 1. The focus on delivery within the life of the plans remains a corporate commitment.