Agenda item

That the draft Council’s Annual Report for 2018-19 be approved, subject to any final textual amendments.

The Service Lead Strategy & Performance introduced the Council’s draft Annual Report for 2018-19 which set out the progress and achievements against the Five Year Plan.

The Five Year Plan was reviewed and refreshed each year and was aligned to the Medium Term Financial Strategy.  The Annual Report tracked performance and included a range of performance measures and case studies to demonstrate progress.  They key headlines from the past year were summarised including financial stability with a balanced budget position to 2022; the supply of 846 new dwellings; improved quality of children’s services; the Business Improvement District for the town centre; and adoption of key policies including the Low Emissions Strategy and 20-year Transport Vision.

The Cabinet welcomed the document and commented that it was evidence that good progress was being made on the Council’s strategic priorities.  The case studies helped to show the difference that Council services were making to improve resident’s lives.  Lead Members highlighted a number examples of further progress since the end of the reporting period of the end of March, such as the recent planning approval for the redevelopment of Tower and Ashbourne Houses.

The Overview & Scrutiny Committee had considered the Annual Report at its meeting on 11^th July 2019 and had commented on some of the statistics and statements.  The comments would be taken into account in the final textual amendments prior to publication.

The Cabinet was agreed to recommend approval of the Annual Report to Council on 23^rd July 2019.

Recommended –  That the draft Council’s Annual Report for 2018-19 be approved, subject to any final textual amendments.

(Councillor Pantelic joined the meeting)