Decision details

Cabinet received a report providing a comprehensive overview of the Council’s performance at the end of the 2024/25 financial year and setting out the proposed direction for the year ahead.  The report brought together key performance data, strategic reflections, and forward-looking priorities to support Cabinet in reviewing progress and shaping the next phase of delivery.

The Chief Executive gave a presentation on the Corporate Performance Suite and 2024/25 Annual Report.

Members were advised that the 2024/25 Corporate Performance Suite included 53 measures and over 100 milestones which were aligned to the 5 Making Stevenage Even Better priorities.

The one red target reported related to the residential garage void rate although there had been an improvement from Quarter 3.  Economic factors had contributed to the void rate, with the cost of living being cited as one of the main reasons for terminations.  Members were advised that Garage services would continue with a proactive marketing strategy including working with local housing associations and issuing surveys to license holders who live outside the town to better understand their needs.  Further improvements to the online digital service including a new mapping feature was implemented in April 2025 which had stopped a lot of location queries.

The Chief Executive highlighted a number of key achievements in relation to the ongoing delivery of the Making Stevenage Even Better (MSEB) programme including Transforming our Town, providing More Social, Affordable and Good Quality Housing and Thriving Neighbourhoods priorities, Tackling Climate Change and Balancing the Budget and Equality & Diversity, Technology & Innovation and Health & Wellbeing.

The Chief Executive then set out a number of key Corporate and Business Unit Priorities for 2024/2025.

Members made the following comments:

·         Officers were thanked for the Annual Report which was a clear read and included a large number of pictures which would ensure residents were kept informed of the Council’s performance and plans;

·         Officers should continue to identify potential windfall housing sites which could benefit local areas;

·         The importance of Members using their Climate Change Community Fund should be stressed as there were a lot of schemes that could benefit from the funds;

·         Regular monitoring was important and showed the Council’s ambitions and improvements in relation to housing;

·         There were many other exceptional services running in partnership in Stevenage such as the Equalities Commission and SADA.

·         The regeneration programme in the Town showed the ambition and achievements of the Council and partners;

·         The social value delivered as part of the new Leisure contract run by Everyone Active was welcomed;

·         Thanks were given to the officers involved in recent community events in the Town including the Hertfordshire Dementia Festival held in Fairlands Valley Park and the Bario Fiesta.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    That the service performance against 53 corporate performance measures and delivery of key milestones in Quarter Four 2024/25 through the Making Stevenage Even Better Programme (Appendix D) be noted.

2.    That the challenges with Garage Voids and planned improvements be noted (section 4.2.5).

3.    That the strategic risk updates (section 4.6) be noted.

4.    That the draft Annual Report 2024/25 (Appendix A) be agreed, subject to any changes discussed at the Cabinet meeting and with final sign off delegated to the Chief Executive, after consultation with the Leader of the Council.

5.    That the proposed Corporate Performance Suite 2025/26 (Appendix B) and MSEB Priorities 2025/26 (Appendix C) be agreed.