Gavin Jones, Lead Commissioner, provided members with a brief summary of the letter that commissioners had written to the Secretary of State on the 22 January 2024, this was the first letter that had been written under the new commissioner regime. It had been promising in the terms of the way the council had accepted where it was and its ownership of the recovery plan. This had been clearly evidenced across the whole council, and evidenced by the council accepting the enhanced improvement and recovery plan that was required. The context of the financial position for the council remained very precarious and there was no line of sight within the current intervention period as to how the council would achieve financial sustainability. Progress had been made in a number of areas, such as the ability as a council to take some difficult decisions, which were quite painful around the budget and around services. This had been evidenced by the Council proving it was prepared to make very difficult decisions on behalf of their residents.

Gavin Jones stated the best value inspection report had highlighted the issue between member and officer relationships and how that was not positive, there had been some considerable improvement in that where there was respect improving on both sides from members to officers but equally officers to members. The report also highlighted where that was not being consistent but was confident and hopeful that situation would improve and see a continued improvement as those relationships which were so fundamental for the good running of the council.

Another key theme was improving the council’s capacity and capability that had played out during the recruitment programme, it was noted commissioners had been impressed the council had attracted some very high calibre staff. This was a credit to the council in terms of how well this had been managed but would need to continue to provide supportive culture for those officers who felt they wanted to stay with the council and be part of that for the long term.

Seen some considerable improvements around governance since the last report and recognised, particularly within the governance recovery board, very good engagement from members. It had also been clear for the commissioners the improved decision-making which had been helped by better forward planning of agendas and to continue the focus that was required for good quality discussion as well as on performance reporting. Recognised the extremely good work in terms of performance management and insurance framework and encouraged the council to build on that and particularly the use of data.

In regard to finances, members were aware of the situation. Noted the forthcoming elections would be taking place with a possible a change of administration or a change in the make-up of groups but encouraged all to remain focused on the financial challenge that the council faced.

Gavin Jones summed up in that looking forward and building on those things the council had done, maintain the robust focus on finances, develop at pace the transformation programme, developing a new operating model and looked forward to seeing the emerging Corporate Plan.

At 8.27pm, Gavin Jones left the chamber.