Council publishes 2023/24 performance report
Midlothian Council has published its annual performance report outlining what has been achieved in the 2023/24 financial year.
Full Council meeting
Councillors considered the report at the full Council meeting on Tuesday.
Continually evaluating
Council Leader Councillor Kelly Parry said: “While we are continually monitoring our performance against key targets within each service area including at next week’s Cabinet meeting, the final annual report is another opportunity to look back on what we are doing well and what can be improved while delivering value for money.”
Key priorities
As part of the Midlothian Community Planning Partnership, the council measures performance against the three main Single Midlothian Plan 2023-27 priorities:
- Individuals and communities have improved health and skills for learning, life and work
- No child or household need live in poverty
- Significant progress is made towards net zero carbon emissions by 2045
Achievements
Highlights in the 2023/24 report include:
- Tonezone memberships continued to grow with a total of 4,628 memberships, up 13%.
- The capital programme was completed ahead of plan with a targeted 752 new lighting columns replaced and14.83km of carriageway and 4.59km of footway resurfaced. A total of 1,802.52 tonnes of material was used in 2023/24 to fill potholes. The Pothole Pro permanently patched 9,214m2 of roads, repairing 2,985 potholes.
- A total of 224 families were offered income assessments (41% more than previous year) to help them access financial supports.
- The Summer Reading Challenge, based around the power of play, sport and games, saw over 1,000 children sign up (a 15% increase on the previous year) with 55% of those completing the challenge (a 4% increase on the numbers finishing last year).
- Communities and Lifelong Learning learners gained 2,531 qualifications.
- The Business Gateway team received 235 ‘Planning to Start’ business enquiries, 120% more than the previous year.
- Our Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan has brought significant change for homelessness over the last 4 years including ending the use of Bed and Breakfast type accommodation.
2024/25 performance
At the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 20 May councillors will be updated on high-level performance figures for 2024/25.