Issue - meetings

Report of the Chief Digital and Customer Officer

The Director of Place introduced the report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, providing an update on performance against the Gedling Plan for Quarter 4 of 2025/26.

Members heard that performance continued to be monitored against the Council’s annual delivery plan and that progress remained strong across a number of key areas. It was noted that a number of key milestones had been achieved during the reporting period, including the launch of the Council's new website, the introduction of additional financial support for households living with a terminally ill family member through the discretionary council tax reduction scheme, the successful implementation of a new online garden waste subscription system linked to the Council's CRM and waste management systems, and continued progress relating to the Greater Carlton regeneration programme. Members heard that the new garden waste subscription process formed part of wider service improvements and digital transformation work being undertaken across the Council.

Members noted that a number of performance indicators had either met or exceeded their targets during the reporting period, including performance relating to planning applications, housing standards and leisure services. Officers advised that actions were also being taken to address areas where performance had fallen below target, including housing benefits processing times and sickness absence.

Members discussed website usage statistics and the significant increase in website visits following the launch of the new website. Questions were raised regarding how website traffic was measured, the potential impact of artificial intelligence on future website usage and whether increased website traffic alone could be used as a measure of success. Officers advised that resident feedback on the new website had been positive and agreed to seek further clarification regarding how website visits generated through artificial intelligence searches were recorded.

Members discussed the Council's Building Control service following its transfer to the Erewash Building Control Partnership. Officers advised that a recent audit of the service had produced a positive outcome and confirmed that the audit report would be considered through the appropriate committee process. Members were also advised that a further update regarding the operation of the partnership could be provided.

Members raised concerns regarding the potential impact of Local Government Reorganisation on staffing capacity and future service delivery. Officers acknowledged the risks associated with staff attrition and advised that work was ongoing to consider how such risks could be managed throughout the transition period.

Questions were also raised regarding council tax collection targets and business rate collection targets. Officers advised that further information explaining the basis of the performance targets would be obtained and circulated to Members following the meeting.

RESOLVED to:

Note the report.

Report of the Chief Digital and Customer Officer

The Chief Digital and Customer Officer introduced a report, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, to inform Cabinet in summary of the position against Performance Indicators and Annual Delivery Plan Actions in Quarter 4 of 2025/26.

RESOLVED:

That:

1.     The progress against the Annual Delivery Plan and Improvement Performance Indicators for quarter 4 and the full year of 2025/26 be noted.