PROGRESS towards making Powys a fantastic place in which to work, live and play by 2025, will be discussed by councillors.

On Tuesday, July 14, the cabinet will look at the successes and failures of their Vision 2025 Corporate Improvement Plan annual performance report.

Vision 2025 – which is the cornerstone of the Independent /Conservative administration – has four main objectives:

Developing a Vibrant Economy

Providing integrated Health and Care in a rural environment

Strengthen learning and skills

Supporting Residents and Communities

The report is supposed to provide a “balanced and open account” of Powys County Council’s performance during the last year.

In the report, chief executive, Dr Caroline Turner, says: “Despite the challenges, we have delivered a number of improvements in key services and continued to progress our critical transformation programme.

“This programme was re-defined during 2019-20, to ensure we focused on

projects that will have the most dramatic impact on the Powys population.”

These projects include schools transformation, a strategy to address issues such as poor housing, social isolation, service provision and limited economic opportunities in Brecon, the North Powys well being programme, Mid Wales Growth Deal, investment in affordable housing and extra care facilities.

The report highlights good performance as:

526 local suppliers took part in the council’s procurement process.

131 people helped back to work through. council employability activities.

82 per cent of children and young people were supported through “early help” as a total of all referrals to Children’s Services.

83 per cent of adults, have re-learnt skills necessary for daily living did not need a package of care and support six months later or a reduced package of care and support.

95.8 per cent of schools inspected don’t need a follow up inspection.

84 per-cent of tenants were satisfied with the quality of their neighbourhood.

According to a staff survey 79 per cent of council employees enjoy their job.

Poor performance was noted as:

73 per cent of assessments were completed for children within statutory time scales. The target was 90 per cent.

54 per cent of pupils who are in care achieved Core Subject Indicators from the age of seven to 11 years old. The target was 82 per cent.

57 per cent of staff received annual appraisal. The target was 70 per cent.

Dr Turner added: “There are areas we can be proud of, but we know we are not meeting expected standards in some areas and need to make these

our priority as we improve.”

If approved, the report will go on to be discussed by all councillors at a council meeting on Thursday, July 30.