There were six corporate priorities in 2023/24:
- Governance and performance review.
- Value for money and financial sustainability.
- People strategy.
- Replacement systems (FINEST and CareFirst).
- Equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Devon, Plymouth and Torbay devolution deal.
Replacement systems
Work has begun on the replacement of two major IT systems:
Replacement of FINEST – the new finance system will simplify financial management and access to information and budget control tools.
Integrated Children’s and Adult Social Care system replacement – a single care management system to improve data management, transitions and enhance delivery.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Good progress was made with the Race Equality Action Plan and the Council was awarded Bronze Trailblazer status by Race Equality Matters in July 2023.
The establishment of an Equality Commission approved by Cabinet in February 2023 is driving improvement through the refreshed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan published in June 2024.
Progress is being reported to the Corporate, Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Committee every six months. The Council works with partners to support people and communities, share intelligence and learning and continues to prioritise addressing inequality and celebrate diversity.
Devon and Torbay Devolution Deal
On 25 January 2024, government announced the proposed devolution deal with Devon and Torbay. The deal set out an initial range of powers and funding to the area to tackle local priorities – training and reskilling, public transport, affordable housing, investment and support for local business with green jobs to increase the area’s productivity and pay.
Following public consultation during March 2024, the final proposal for the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority (CCA) was submitted to government in May 2024. The proposal now lies with the new government to make a decision about the secondary legislation that would bring the CCA into being.