Corporate Plan 2023 - 2028

How we will deliver our Corporate Plan

Our pledges set out our priorities for the next five years, in 5 key areas and outline what we are going to deliver.

However we have also identified 6 priorities which will support how we deliver our plan and how we work as an organisation.

We will:

embed our organisational values and behaviours
promote, champion and advocate diversity
demonstrate inclusive leadership, partnership, and a clear organisational commitment to be a leader in equality, diversity, and inclusion
involve and enable our diverse communities in our decision-making processes
encourage and build a skilled and diverse workforce to build a culture of equity and inclusion in everything we do

We will:

put our customers at the heart of everything do
provide a consistent quality of service to our customers
reflect customer feedback in the design and delivery of services
continue to adopt a digital by default approach, enabling self-service where achievable
co-design and collaborate with partners where possible, to deliver for local communities
effectively communicate and engage residents and partners in the work of the council

We will:

ensure effective and prudent use of the council's resources
provide value for money through efficient and effective service delivery
provide services without the use of reserves
continue to identify and develop new and appropriate income generating opportunities that are in keeping with our priorities
maintain an investment strategy that preserves and improves the financial resources available to the council
rigorously manage the council's risks
have sound governance arrangements in place

We will:

develop refreshed core values for the council to be incorporated into how we work and everything we do
develop a new Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy to be rolled-out across the council
promote communication and transparency
welcome challenge and learn from our mistakes

We will:

review and strengthen our performance management framework, including regular reporting and clear accountability
develop a clear programme of transformation and improvement activity
arrange for a peer challenge in 2024 and act promptly on key recommendations
recognise and celebrate good performance and address poor performance through a strengthened Appraisal and Development framework for employees
develop a council-wide awareness and culture of continuous improvement in every aspect of council activity

We will:

review the council's constitution to ensure it is accessible, comprehensive, and meets the needs of the council in the delivery of this Corporate Plan
promote awareness of the seven principles of public life ('the Nolan principles') and effective application of the respective codes of conduct for councillors and employees
review the council's overview and scrutiny function to ensure it is robust, challenges constructively, and contributes continually to the delivery of this Corporate Plan
ensure the revenue budget and capital programme remain balanced and sustainable over a rolling 5 year period
maintain a programme of reviews for our services to ensure they are delivered efficiently and effectively