Council making “good progress” on improvement journey

Dudley Council is making “good progress” on its improvement journey, councillors will be told at a meeting this week.

Members of the authority’s cabinet will discuss a report giving an update on progress made against the Dudley Improvement Plan implemented in January this year.

The report states that in the short term the council has been able to set a balanced budget for 2025/26 as it continues on the journey to financial sustainability.

A senior management restructure has saved the authority £1.3 million, and new panels and boards have been set up to scrutinise and monitor spending.

The next stage of improvements will see the council draw up a five-year plan, with a new oversight and assurance board set up to ensure that the right work is happening at the right time.

Councillor Ed Lawrence, cabinet member for transformation, said: “I am very pleased with the contents of this report, which show we are making good progress on our improvement journey.

“I am particularly pleased with the progress being made towards securing the financial future of the council. Despite facing unprecedented pressures on our budgets, we have managed to balance the books for the next 12 months and bolstered our reserves.

“The next stage up until March next year will see us continue to build on this positive start, and with proper scrutiny develop a longer term five-year plan to ensure we can start to look forwards to a positive future.”

Kim Bromley-Derry, independent chair of the external improvement panel, said: “The council has made significant improvements over the past year particularly in relation to the budget and the overall financial position.

“In addition, there has been considerable improvements in governance, service delivery and performance management.

“This has been achieved as a result of a great deal of hard work by politicians, and officers.

"The council now has a robust improvement plan which is supported by external assurance which provides a strong foundation for continued improvement over the coming months and years.”

The report will be discussed at the next meeting of the council’s cabinet on Thursday (November 6). It takes place in the council chamber at Dudley Council House on Priory Road, and members of the public are welcome to attend.