North Yorkshire Council

Corporate and Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny Committee

16 March 2026

Council Plan 2026-30

Report of Assistant Chief Executive- Local Engagement

1.0       PURPOSE OF REPORT

1.1       To engage with Corporate and Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the draft Council Plan 2026-30.

2.0       BACKGROUND

2.1       The Council Plan covers a four-year period. The next iteration of the plan, covering 2026-2030 will require approval by full Council on 20 May 2026, having been considered by Executive (on 21 April 2026).

3.0       COUNCIL PLAN 2026-30

3.1       In 2024, a significant re-write of the Council Plan was undertaken. While the ambitions and the structure of the plan remain relevant, a clearer direction of travel and more defined service priorities have emerged over the past year as service areas have converged. Therefore, the narrative and associated priorities have been updated to reflect this.

3.2 Discussions have been held with Directors, Assistant Directors and Senior Officers to identify narrative and key priorities that should be reflected in the plan. During these sessions, Officers were asked to consider whether the priorities align with the services direction of travel and key strategies/plans. The discussions also considered why these are priorities for the service, the Council and our residents, and whether they can be delivered in the challenging financial situation that the Council now faces.

3.3       The ‘One Council’ ambition has been renamed ‘Strong Innovative Council, with local customer-led services’ to avoid any confusion or association with Local Government Reorganisation.

3.4       A full draft of the plan is included in the Appendix A for comment.

3.5       The list of KPI’s have been reviewed to ensure indicators are appropriate, well defined and avoid duplication. See page 20 of the draft for more detail.

3.6 The Council’s updated Equality Objectives have been included in the plan. See page 24 of the draft for more detail.

4.0 TIMELINE AND NEXT STEPS

4.1     The timeline for the development of the plan is as follows:

· Early March – all Councillors invited to comment by email

· 21 April – Executive for recommendation to Full Council

· 20 May – Full Council for approval

5.0 ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

No alternative options considered.

6.0       FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

This is a high-level report, financial implications have been outlined in the annual budget report.

7.0 LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

            No Legal implications.

8.0 EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS

The plan outlines the Council’s updated Equality Objectives. Equality implications of priority actions will be assessed through Individual Equality Impact Assessments.

9.0 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPLICATIONS

Climate change implications of priority actions will be assessed through Individual Climate Change Impact Assessments.

10.0     REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

            Not applicable.

11.0	RECOMMENDATION
	i) To comment on the first draft of the Council Plan for 2026-30.

            Appendices:

            Appendix A- Draft Council Plan 2026-30

Rachel Joyce

Assistant Chief Executive – Local Engagement

County Hall

Northallerton

4 March 2026

Report Author – Alaina Kitching, Strategy and Performance Manager

Presenter of Report –Will Boardman, Head of Strategy and Performance