Each year, Directorates review their activities, performance measures and targets within their service plans to ensure services:
- Deliver the best possible outcomes are provided within available resources;
- Contribute towards and link to, our objectives as set out in our Corporate Plan, the Councils Annual Self-Assessment, key strategies and programmes of work and the Public Service Board’s Well-being Plan; and
- Fulfil and meet our statutory duties and requirements, particularly acting in accordance with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021.
Although there is an annual process wrapped around the development of service plans, it is seen as a continuous process with plans being flexible to take into account new priorities and activities arising during the year. That is not to say there is free reign to change activities and measures during the year, but through the appropriate governance arrangements, as new programmes / projects / strategies / priorities emerge these are agreed to be included within the plans.
Our plans are therefore a critical document for each of our Directorates. They should be a comprehensive compendium of all the significant activity each directorate is delivering. In reporting on progress that has been made, it should be possible to report not just on progress within the Directorate, but also on contributions to key organisational plans and strategies.
Routine monitoring of service plans will enable the Council to monitor key actions associated with the Council’s Corporate Plan and strategic delivery plans.
Our in year monitoring reports will also be used to inform our statutory Self-Assessment and Well-Being report, which is published annually in October, each year.