Agenda item

The Performance and Programme Manager provided an update regarding the 2026/27 Progress and Delivery Measure Setting Approach and Member Engagement. It was reported that the performance measures were currently being reviewed to create closer linkages to the corporate plan and to ensure that they remained meaningful. Member engagement was highlighted as vital to the success of both the performance framework and the review of measures, and the paper presented recommended member engagement in the process.

Four key engagement activities were proposed. The first was the circulation of draft measure sets to all members for comment. If approved at the meeting, these would be sent the following day, with feedback requested by 30 November 2025. The second activity was an all-members briefing during the week commencing 24 November 2025 to discuss performance management and the move to reporting by corporate plan theme. It was explained that the approach would differ from a traditional session to ensure a consistent message was delivered to all members.

The third activity proposed was the establishment of a Task and Finish Group to review the measure set, as had been done in previous years. Overview and Scrutiny members would be invited to volunteer to sit on this group, and the invitation would also be extended to other members. The fourth activity was the final approval of the measure set by the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee in February. Oversight of the strategic line measures would also be provided as part of the corporate plan sign-off process.

The Performance and Programme Manager concluded the report and confirmed that questions on the paper would be welcomed, along with any volunteers to join the Task and Finish Group.

Members discussed the proposed approach to member engagement in the review of performance measures. A Member expressed support for the approach and asked whether, when circulating the measures to Members, a feedback form would also be provided. It was noted that when measures were sent without a form, Members often read them but did not respond, even if they had comments. The Member suggested that a simple form could be included to allow Members to indicate which measures they wished to review, without requiring detailed responses.

A Member raised concerns about the timing of the proposed briefing during the week commencing 24 November, suggesting multiple sessions or a recorded option might be necessary.

The Performance and Programme Manager confirmed that a feedback mechanism would be included and that a short, recorded video was being considered to explain performance management and the move to strategic reporting. Councillor Stephen Bunney volunteered to join the Task and Finish Group.

The Chairman confirmed her own willingness to join the group, emphasising the importance of Member involvement.

With no further questions or comments and having been proposed, seconded and voted upon, it was

RESOLVED that

a)    member engagement be undertaken through the following forums as detailed within the supporting report.

·       a cross-party member Overview and Scrutiny Task and Finish Group be established comprising of Councillor Stephen Bunney, Councillor Jeanette McGhee and any additional volunteers

·        the KPI review proposal be circulated to all members for comment, introducing Strategic and Operational measures aligned to Corporate Plan themes.

·       an all-member briefing be provided (week of 24th Nov) or an alternative format, as detailed during the debate, in order to present review outcomes and the shift to strategic theme-based reporting

·       Corporate Policy and Resources Committee approval of the 2026/27 measure set be secured