The Performance Plan 2007

1 Introduction

This year the Performance Plan comes at a time of transition for the Council. Two recent events are shaping the way the Council runs its affairs.  These are the CGI Inspection carried out last October and the recent district council elections which have given the Council an overall political majority for the first time in its history.

We are working hard to give the Council firm direction and leadership and to address the issues raised by the CGI Inspection. Over the next few months we will be agreeing future objectives for the Council and working with partners to agree a new Community Strategy. We will involve Members and officers in establishing new values and ways of working which will enable the Council and its partners to work together effectively to improve Council services and respond to the major challenges facing the district, particularly as a result of the growth agenda. This and much more is set out in the Improvement (Inspire) Project Plan which forms a central part of this Performance Plan.

The other important purpose of this plan is to set the framework of milestones and performance indicator targets to deliver improving services based on the current Corporate Objectives and Council priorities. The Corporate Objectives are given in the next chapter and the priorities are:-

• To improve customer service

• To achieve successful, sustainable new communities at Northstowe and other major new settlements

• To increase the supply of affordable housing

These priorities were reaffirmed by the Cabinet and Council last autumn and form the basis for budgets, service plans and staff appraisals for 2007/08.

In the coming weeks we will be working on new objectives and priorities for 2008/09 onwards which reflect the new political direction we want to bring to the Council. There will be a good deal of continuity between our current priorities and those we are developing for the future. Managing the growth agenda will continue to be a massive challenge for us.  It will still be important to maintain and improve council services and address the need for affordable housing.

So, we need to continue to focus on the milestones and targets in this Performance Plan while work is taking place on laying the foundations for the future. This is important for the public who rely on our services and because our performance is under greater scrutiny because of the CGI inspection.

We recognise and appreciate how staff and Members have continued to work to maintain services in difficult circumstances. We would like to encourage everyone concerned with the Council to maintain these efforts, while work is proceeding to ensure a better future for the Council and the public we serve.

• Back to Top

• Next