The proposed Performance Improvement Objectives & projects for 2024/25 are:
Objective 1
We will continue to improve our citizen engagement methods and ensure accessible processes for contacting us.
To achieve this we will:
a. improve the customer’s experience when engaging with our services by providing outreach support to residents who are not digitally enabled, ensuring no one is left behind. This means residents who are not able to connect to our services digitally (via the website) will be offered alternatives. Digital devices will be provided in specific council facilities to enable residents to carry out online council service requests.
b. improve the processing times of planning applications and enforcement cases by developing and implementing a Planning Service Improvement Programme by the end of the financial year 24/25.
c. enable our citizens to influence decision making through community conversations in specific council locations.
d. develop a community development toolkit to assist groups to establish and effectively manage sustainable community and/or voluntary organisation.
Objective 2
We will continue to deliver council led activities that seek to maintain and improve the physical and mental wellbeing of our citizens.
To achieve this we will:
a. continue to improve the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of our citizens through a number of programmes to include:
i. developing skills in horticulture and biodiversity
ii. physical activity programmes
iii. health programmes (GP referral/cardio referral)
b. continue to respond to local labour market needs by delivering a range of employability programmes. We aim to support residents within our area to achieve relevant qualifications that will enable them to gain employment.
c. further develop our activities for all by providing more dedicated and inclusive opportunities across the council.
d. progress a pilot community ownership/lease initiative of a council owned football pitch.