Content

Cabinet received a report providing a
comprehensive overview of the Council’s performance at the
end of the 2024/25 financial year and setting out the proposed
direction for the year ahead.  The
report brought together key performance data, strategic
reflections, and forward-looking priorities to support Cabinet in
reviewing progress and shaping the next phase of delivery.
 
The Chief Executive gave a presentation on the
Corporate Performance Suite and 2024/25 Annual Report.
 
Members were advised that the 2024/25
Corporate Performance Suite included 53 measures and over 100
milestones which were aligned to the 5 Making Stevenage Even Better
priorities.
 
The one red target reported related to the
residential garage void rate although there had been an improvement
from Quarter 3.  Economic factors had
contributed to the void rate, with the cost of living being cited
as one of the main reasons for terminations.  Members were advised that Garage services would
continue with a proactive marketing strategy including working with
local housing associations and issuing surveys to license holders
who live outside the town to better understand their
needs.  Further improvements to the
online digital service including a new mapping feature was
implemented in April 2025 which had stopped a lot of location
queries.
 
The Chief Executive highlighted a number of
key achievements in relation to the ongoing delivery of the Making
Stevenage Even Better (MSEB) programme including Transforming our
Town, providing More Social, Affordable and Good Quality Housing
and Thriving Neighbourhoods priorities, Tackling Climate Change and
Balancing the Budget and Equality & Diversity, Technology &
Innovation and Health & Wellbeing.
 
The Chief Executive then set out a number of
key Corporate and Business Unit Priorities for 2024/2025.
 
Members made the following comments:
 

·        
Officers were thanked for the Annual Report which was a clear read
and included a large number of pictures which would ensure
residents were kept informed of the Council’s performance and
plans;

·        
Officers should continue to identify potential windfall housing
sites which could benefit local areas;

·        
The importance of Members using their Climate Change Community Fund
should be stressed as there were a lot of schemes that could
benefit from the funds;

·        
Regular monitoring was important and showed the Council’s
ambitions and improvements in relation to housing;

·        
There were many other exceptional services running in partnership
in Stevenage such as the Equalities Commission and SADA.

·        
The regeneration programme in the Town showed the ambition and
achievements of the Council and partners;

·        
The social value delivered as part of the new Leisure contract run
by Everyone Active was welcomed;

·        
Thanks were given to the officers involved in recent community
events in the Town including the Hertfordshire Dementia Festival
held in Fairlands Valley Park and the Bario Fiesta.
 
It was RESOLVED:
 
1.   
That the service performance
against 53 corporate performance measures and delivery of key
milestones in Quarter Four 2024/25 through the Making Stevenage Even Better
Programme (Appendix D) be noted.

2.   
That the challenges with Garage Voids and planned improvements be
noted (section 4.2.5).

3.   
That the strategic risk updates (section 4.6) be noted.

4.   
That the draft Annual Report 2024/25 (Appendix A) be agreed,
subject to any changes discussed at the Cabinet meeting and with
final sign off delegated to the Chief Executive, after consultation
with the Leader of the Council.

5.   
That the proposed Corporate Performance Suite 2025/26 (Appendix B)
and MSEB Priorities 2025/26 (Appendix C) be
agreed.