Waverley Borough Council

POLICY o&S committee – 23 november 2021

Services o&S committee – 24 September 2021

Title:
CORPORATE STRATEGY 2020-25 YEAR 1 PROGRESS REPORT

Portfolio Holder:	All Portfolio Holders

Head of Service:	All Heads of Service

Key decision:	No

Access:	Public

1. Purpose and summary
The Corporate Strategy 2020-25 was adopted in October 2020 and this report outlines the progress made in the first year against the corporate priorities. The report is set out at Annexe 1 and includes actions completed in the last year as well as activity programmed for the next eighteen months. Each section also includes a summary by the relevant Portfolio Holder for their particular area of responsibility. Members of both Overview and Scrutiny Committees are asked to scrutinise the progress made and make any observations and recommendations to the Executive.
2. Recommendation
It is recommended that each of the Overview & Scrutiny Committees: consider the progress made against the key strategic priorities set out in the report at Annexe 1 under its remit and makes any recommendations to senior management or the Executive as appropriate.

3. Reason for the recommendation
To scrutinise the progress of the council on its priorities and objectives contained in the Corporate Strategy 2020-2025.

4. Background
4.1 The Council’s Corporate Strategy is of significant importance for setting the direction of the Council. It sits above all other strategies and policies and informs the service delivery and business programme for council services. The delivery of the Strategy is actioned through Service Plans for each service area. These Plans are also an essential part of the performance management framework. Each member of staff will have agreed annual targets in order to ensure the effective delivery of the Council’s strategic priorities. 4.2 The current Corporate Strategy was adopted in 2020 and reflects the particular challenges the council faced at the time including the significant impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the recession, continuing uncertainties over Brexit, possible Government devolution proposals and the consequential financial implications of all of these issues.

5. Relationship to the Corporate Strategy and Service Plans
This report relates to the implementation of the Corporate Strategy.

6. Implications of decision
6.1 Resource (Finance, procurement, staffing, IT) The financial implications of the strategy are reflected in the Medium Term Financial Plan and the Annual Budget. The strategy highlights the importance of careful financial management and affordability of plans.
6.2 Risk management The quarterly Corporate Performance Report allows for an ongoing assessment of any risks as a result of underperformance and the monitoring of improvement or mitigation actions put in place to address potential issues.
6.3 Legal There are no legal implications arising directly from this report.
6.4 Equality, diversity and inclusion There are no direct equality, diversity or inclusion implications in this report. Equality impact assessments are carried out when necessary across the council to ensure service delivery meets the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010.
6.5 Climate emergency declaration The Corporate Strategy sets out the Council’s environmental and sustainability objectives and how these will be delivered in light of the Climate Emergency introduced by the Council in September 2019.

7. Consultation and engagement
The progress report is being considered by both Overview and Scrutiny Committees as part of the engagement process with comments and recommendations being sent to the Executive for their meeting on 30 November.

8. Other options considered
None

9. Governance journey
The Overview and Scrutiny Committees will pass on their comments and recommendations to the Executive, who will consider any improvement actions as appropriate.

Annexes:

Annexe 1	Corporate Strategy 2020-25 – Year 1 Progress Report

Background Papers

There are no background papers (as defined by Section 100D(5) of the Local Government Act 1972) relating to this report.

LEAD CONTACT OFFICER:

Name:	Louise Norie

Title:	Corporate Policy Manager

Telephone:	01483 523 464

E-mail:	louise.norie@waverley.gov.uk

Name:	Nora Copping

Title:	Policy and Performance Officer

Telephone:	01483 523 465

E-mail:	nora.copping@waverley.gov.uk

Agreed and signed off by:

Legal Services:

Head of Finance: Internal SMT Meeting 12 October 2021

Strategic Director: Internal SMT Meeting 12 October 2021

Portfolio Holders: 1 - 11 November 2021