Agenda item

The One Medway Council Plan (OMCP) 2024/28 sets out the Council’s priorities and the performance indicators used to monitor performance. This report and appendices summarise how we performed in Quarter 1 (Q1) 2026/27 on the delivery of these priorities. This report also presents the Q1 2026/27 review of strategic risks which fall under the remit of this committee.

Discussion:

The Chief Information Officer introduced the report. He highlighted that one risk had been increased in the quarter, SR47 Climate Change risk, had increased to: ‘likely, moderate’. In addition, two new risks had been added, the Gun Wharf Improvement Programme and Corporate Estate Compliance and Building Safety. These risks replaced the Gun Wharf Safety risk which had been completed and removed in quarter four of 2025-26 following completion of the works to make the building safe.

The Performance Management system had been renewed and this was the first quarter reporting using the new in-house Nexa system. The Task Group would continue its work looking at performance management within the Council, so further enhancements would be expected during the year.

The following issues were discussed:

Climate Change Risk – A Member welcomed the change to the SR47 Climate Change Risk which reflected the impact of climate change during the summer. The Chief Information Officer informed the Committee that the Council had a new dashboard report to support monitoring of those key Climate Change related risks.

Increase in telephone calls received - a Member asked what user testing had been undertaken in relation to the introduction of the new waste management form which had resulted in a spike in phone calls to the Council. The Chief Information Officer stated that the issue was technical in nature and was rectified quickly. The Council principle of being digital by default but not digital only meant that residents were still able to access the service.

New Software - Members welcomed the new in-house performance management system, it was asked if it was possible to expand the scope of KPIs. The Chief Information Officer stated that the software was flexible, and the Risk Register would be included in the future updates to the software.

Funding – a Member asked what the implications were should the Government refuse to sanction further Exceptional Financial Support (EFS).  The Chief Operating Officer stated that should the government refuse further EFS, the administration and CMT would need to take action to address the budget pressures which would include consideration of expenditure panels for non-essential spend and freezing recruitment to vacancies.

Recruitment – a Member asked for further information in relation to any recruitment difficulties caused by LGR. The Chief Operating Officer acknowledged that there remained issues with recruitment and retention, particularly in the circumstances of LGR and where there were difficulties the Council would discuss with other authorities opportunities to share resources.

LGR – in response to a question from a Member whether any discussions had taken place with other authorities regarding performance management systems, the Chief Information Officer stated that some discussions with colleagues in other authorities had taken place. A desktop exercise to compare systems had been undertaken and further discussions were planned to consider the best way forward.

Data – a Member expressed disappointment that data was only available in relation to one target. The Chief Information Officer explained that three of the four targets were annual targets, so it would not be known until the end of the year whether the target had been achieved or not. However, he explained that data was included within the commentary and  he added that it was something the Task Group planned to consider in its investigation into performance management.

Decision:

a)     The Committee noted the Q1 2026/7 progress of the performance indicators used to monitor progress of the Council’s priorities, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

b)     The Committee noted the Strategic Risk Summary as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.