Annual Report

Like all local authorities, the Council has a statutory duty to publish a document by 30 June each year which contains Best Value Performance Indicator targets and outturn figures as well as a confirmation that the Government’s Code of Practice is adopted for workforce matters and contracting. In the past, the Council has met this statutory duty with the publication of an annual ‘Best Value Performance Plan’ and, more recently, ‘Corporate Plan’. Since 2006/07, this document is called the ‘Annual Report’.

This document is a key part of the Council’s planning and performance management framework.

In addition to meeting its statutory duties, this document aims to provide an overview of the Council’s progress and performance during the previous financial year (2007/08) and what plans are in place to make further progress towards meeting its 10 medium term objectives in the present financial year (2008/09). The Council’s planning and performance management frameworks are described and summaries of both the Council’s financial performance and plans/strategies are included. The intention is to provide contextual information about the range of work and objectives undertaken by the Council as well as how these are monitored. The document is broken up into the following sections:

Section 1: Planning and Performance Management Frameworks

This section explains how we set our plans and monitor performance.

Section 2: Looking back – progress and achievements during 2007/08

This section looks at each of the 12 corporate themes that governed our work and categorises performance against each during the previous financial year.

Section 3 Looking forward – plans for 2008/09

This section sets out what we plan to do in 2008/09 and what key actions will be undertaken by Council Departments.

Appendix A: Council finances

This section sets out the financial context within which the Council is operating in, including key financial information from 2007/08 and financial plans for 2008/09.

Appendix B: Council Strategies and Plans

This section outlines all the key strategies and plans which the Council is currently following. The purpose of each plan is noted as are key contact details.

Appendix C: Performance Indicators 2007/08

This section reports the Council’s performance during 2007/08 in relation to the target set.

Appendix D: Performance Indicators 2008/09 to 2010/11

This section notes the targets for the next three financial years.