Lead Member: Councillor Heather Kidd, Leader

Lead Officer: Paul Clarke, Service Director – Strategy & Change

RESOLVED:

1.     To note the report and the progress it summarises.

2.     To provide guidance and instructions as appropriate on the Council’s plans for continued improvement and financial sustainability.

The Leader presented a six?month progress update on delivery of the Council’s Improvement Plan, approved in December 2025 in response to the Council’s financial emergency and external recommendations. Members noted that progress was broadly on track, with key milestones achieved including securing Exceptional Financial Support, setting a realistic 2026/27 budget, strengthening financial management, improving governance and compliance, and developing the new Corporate Plan and supporting strategies.  Positive feedback had been received from the externally chaired Improvement Board and peer reviewers.

It was recognised that the Council continued to face challenges relating to finance, capacity and capability, and that recovery would require sustained cultural change, improved workforce capacity and disciplined delivery over several years. Assurance was provided that detailed transformation proposals and an updated Medium Term Financial Plan would be brought forward over the coming months, with an emphasis on maintaining momentum, robust due diligence and continued support and investment in the workforce as the Council’s most important asset.

RESOLVED:

1.    To note the report and the progress it summarises.

2.    To provide guidance and instructions as appropriate on the Council’s plans for continued improvement and financial sustainability.

To note the Improvement Plan Progress Report and the progress it summarises, and provide observations and recommendations through a verbal report by the Chair to Cabinet at their meeting on the 10 June 2026.