Governance and oversight
Commitment 32
Review progress against Centre for Governance and Scrutiny (CfGS) recommendations
Lead
Governance.
Our progress
The Centre for Governance and Scrutiny (CfGS) undertook a follow-up review of progress against their initial 2018 recommendations. This was reported to our Administration Committee on 4 July 2022. CfGS acknowledged good progress but identified some issues for further attention.
Next steps
Safeguarding 'good governance' is an ongoing priority. Many of the actions taken over the last five to six years to progress the CfGS recommendations are worth revisiting as part of our promise to being the best council we can be. We will develop a short action plan identifying further actions that could usefully be taken over the coming year.
When this will happen
The action plan will specify completion dates for each of the further actions, some of which could be completed quickly, others of which will be completed by summer 2026.
Commitment 33
Transform leadership culture through training and objectives
Lead
Human Resources.
Our progress
This commitment includes a number of streams, including to:
- a new learning and development policy and plan
- consulting staff across the organisation
- development of leadership and management forums
- embedding leadership values
- identifying development needs
Next steps
We will set out and agree the project's scope, stages and end results. This will be addressed in the external review of the council's culture.
When this will happen
Autumn 2025:
- project scope and report to our Executive Management Team
- review adoption of systemic practice within Housing
- set up leadership and management forums to co-produce
Summer 2026:
- feedback from the culture review
Winter/spring 2025/26:
- Consultation with residents, employees and staff networks
Winter 2026:
- final strategy signed off
Winter/Spring 2026/27:
- leadership values and leadership core competencies promotion and involvement
Human Resources will work with the new People Committee, which will commence in September 2025 to seek feedback on proposals as they develop.
Commitment 34
Develop comprehensive data strategy
Lead
Corporate Strategy and Digital, Data and Technology.
Our progress
Our twice-yearly reports now include more systematic information on how data is used and reported across the council.
We have adapted our approach in light of feedback and challenge from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, with the most recent report considered by the committee in February 2025.
Next steps
There is some work taking place across the council work involving Corporate Strategy and Audit to look at how we might align performance, delivery and risk reporting more closely. This will ensure we are considering all aspects of the risks and issues, with full knowledge of the data involved.
An updated performance dashboard will be published on the council website as part of our Q1 performance update. This will ensure we provide information as clearly as possible to our residents.
When this will happen
Our corporate performance audit is expected to be complete by March 2026.
We will pilot a more aligned performance, delivery and risk reporting approach in September 2025.