Issue - meetings

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services is attached.

The Committee considered a report and appendix presented by Councillor Thorpe, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, setting out performance against the Corporate Plan at Quarter Four 2025/26.

Councillor Thorpe reported that the year-end position presented a broadly positive picture, with approximately 60% of measures on track and a further 37% not currently on track but with mitigation measures in place. Key achievements included labour market performance of 95.7%, with 4.3% of residents not in employment, education or training, support for approximately 7,800 businesses across the borough, delivery of 312 new homes including 80 affordable homes, and strong collection rates for both Council Tax and Business Rates. Members were advised that staff sickness absence had increased during the year. Children's Services performance had continued to improve through delivery of the improvement plan.

Members heard that a number of projects remained amber or red. Regeneration activity in Radcliffe, including Market Chambers, remained on track and continued to progress positively. Delays had occurred to the Digital Strategy due to delays in appointing a Digital, Data and Technology Manager. The Pupil Referral Unit project had been delayed after the original site proved undeliverable, and elements of the Local Plan timetable had been impacted by the General Election. Concerns were also raised regarding delays affecting flood resilience and development work.

Councillor Sheppard raised a question regarding objectives described as "not on track but with risks addressed" and what mitigation actions had been implemented, including milestones and measures of success over the next six months. Officers advised that a detailed annex containing this information was available and would be circulated to Members. It was agreed that the appendix received by officers would be shared with the Committee.

Members discussed the challenge of demonstrating the relationship between Corporate Plan activity and long-term outcomes, particularly in relation to health and social care. It was noted that factors such as an ageing population, changing patterns of hospital discharge and wider demographic trends made it difficult to establish direct causality between interventions and outcomes.

Kate Waterhouse advised that performance was monitored through the Health and Wellbeing Board and Locality Board arrangements and that work was ongoing through Public Health programmes to better demonstrate the impact of preventative interventions, including reductions in hospital admissions. Whilst attributing specific outcomes directly to individual interventions remained challenging, efforts continued to improve understanding of impact and value for money.

Councillor Thorpe highlighted smoking cessation as one example where positive outcomes could be evidenced but noted that wider public health outcomes, including health inequalities and mortality differences across communities within the borough, could take many years to improve and were influenced by a range of factors.

Members were advised that further consideration of performance measures and outcomes would be undertaken through the Member Development Board.

In response to a question submitted in advance regarding the principal financial risks affecting delivery in 2026/27, Councillor Thorpe advised that these were identified within the Budget Report approved by Council in February.

The most significant  ...  view the full minutes text for item 116

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services is attached.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services presented a report providing an overview of progress for strategic priorities and delivery objectives during Quarter Four (January to March 2026) and the overall position at year end. Councillor Thorpe advised that the position was positive on the whole, with the majority of objectives delivered or on track, and mitigations in place for amber risks. He advised of one red rated risk, relating to the impact of an external provider delaying the flood defences at Hardy’s Gate bridge and, in response to Members’ questions, it was noted that there were other flood defences in the area and the external company was still committed to carry out the works.

In response to further questions, it was noted that the PRU site at Milton Road was on track for an opening date in September 2028, and the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme in place from September 2026 was welcomed, but support to help families before reaching crisis point continued. With regards to a rise in staff sickness, it was noted that this was a national trend across the public sector from increased pressure on staff, and Bury continued to develop programmes of support for staff mental health and wellbeing. With regards to Bury Market, it was noted that the problems were very complex to find solutions for and of a highly technical nature. Officers confirmed that the Markets Team communicated regularly with market traders, but more collaborative communication work was now needed. 

Finally, Councillor Thorpe advised that the reduction in agency staff had been successful and was continuing, with a strong employment offer being an inducement to work in Bury; an overview of the Unit 4 software could be provided outside of the meeting; KPIs were reviewed to ensure they remained appropriate, and a breakdown of households in temporary accommodation could be provided outside of the meeting.

Decision:

Cabinet noted the Quarter Four position on progress against the Corporate Plan 2025/26

Reasons for the decision:

To enable transparency and robust monitoring of performance and delivery of the Corporate Plan.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

Not applicable.