Over the last two or three years there has been a complete review, redesign and implementation of the Council’s corporate and business planning arrangements which has delivered the so-called “golden thread” running from the Community Strategy (the long-term priorities), through the Corporate Plan (medium-term priorities) Partnership Delivery Plans and Divisional Business Plans (medium to shorter term), Service business plans (shorter term) and Individual Appraisals.

Within the overall  approach, and its requirement for regularly produced, monitored and updated service business plans, a strong performance management framework is now in place focussing on all of the priorities, key tasks, KPI’s and Service PI’s as set out in the Corporate Plan and refreshed annually in its Companion Document. A systematic and regular review of performance against these tasks and indicators is undertaken through a regular timetable of formal reports to Cabinet, to Scrutiny and to the council’s. Management Team.

The Council makes extensive, regular and systematic use of MORI to research the opinions of residents to inform its business planning processes and to track satisfaction with its services. Also the major review of services has seen regular and systematic external challenge which has helped to drive continuous improvement. Appropriate use is also made of qualitative accreditation schemes to inform and drive improvement.