Lead Member: Councillor Heather Kidd, Leader

Lead Officer: Jess Edwards, Business Intelligence and Insight Manager

RESOLVED:

To note the progress and position against the outcomes of The Shropshire Plan.

To approve the proposed Corporate Plan 20206-2030 Performance Management Framework (Appendix 1 and 2) and delegate authority to the Service Director (Strategy & Change) in consultation with the Leader of the Council to make any final amendments to KPIs and delivery commitments

The Leader set out the final performance report for the Shropshire Plan 2022–25 and the proposed framework for the Corporate Plan 2026–30. While performance was mixed, strengths were noted in adult social care, children’s services, planning performance and reductions in temporary accommodation, with concerns raised about waste and recycling, Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) timeliness, staff sickness and school readiness. Members stressed the importance of linking performance more clearly to outcomes, financial sustainability and resident benefit.

The Leader and officers advised that the new framework would evolve to include both KPIs and measurable delivery commitments, providing a clearer assessment of progress against Corporate Plan priorities and outcomes. It was also noted that EHCP delays reflect increasing national demand, although a local recovery plan remains on track.

Members also questioned whether some environmental indicators adequately demonstrate local impact and value for money. Officers acknowledged the limitations of nationally prescribed measures and confirmed that performance indicators would be reviewed to ensure they were meaningful, locally relevant and focused on tangible outcomes.

RESOLVED:

To note the progress and position against the outcomes of The Shropshire Plan.

To approve the proposed Corporate Plan 20206-2030 Performance Management Framework (Appendix 1 and 2) and delegate authority to the Service Director (Strategy & Change) in consultation with the Leader of the Council to make any final amendments to KPIs and delivery commitments

To note the Performance Monitoring Report Q4 and Corporate Plan Performance Framework and provide observations and recommendations on the Performance Framework through a verbal report by the Chair to Cabinet at their meeting on the 10 June 2026

The Committee considered the Quarter 4 performance report and the introduction of a new performance framework aligned to the Council’s corporate plan. It was noted that 77% of indicators were at or above target, representing a marginal improvement on the previous quarter.

Members welcomed improvements in performance monitoring processes and the development of a revised framework incorporating key performance indicators, delivery commitments and annual review arrangements. However, concerns were raised that the headline figures presented an overly positive position and did not fully reflect the Council’s financial context or the challenges faced in key service areas.

Specific concerns were highlighted in relation to the absence of integrated financial and performance reporting, the prominence of statutory and high-risk indicators, and the need for clearer presentation of underlying data, including volumes and backlogs. Members also noted inconsistency in the presentation of KPIs across reports and requested greater clarity and standardisation.

Attention was drawn to a number of areas of concern, including adult and children’s services pressures, school readiness outcomes, and the visibility of resident-focused issues such as highways and waste services. Members emphasised the importance of distinguishing between critical and non-critical indicators and ensuring that KPIs meaningfully reflect outcomes for residents.

Officers advised that many of these issues were being addressed through the development of the new performance framework and committed to further engagement with Members to refine its design and presentation.

The Committee noted the report, endorsed the recommendations and agreed that the issues raised should inform the development of the new framework and future performance reporting.