Delivery Plan 2023/2024

21st Century Schools Programme

Well-Being Strategy

Post Inspection Action Plan PIAP

Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP)

• Start building the new school for Maendy Primary School and enhance teaching and learning by investing £17m in the construction of the new net zero carbon school to replace the existing Maendy Primary School - ON TARGET
• Start the £6.85m net zero carbon 50 place extension at Crownbridge to enhance provision for children and young people with severe learning difficulties - ON TARGET
• Design and build 3G pitch at Ysgol Gymraeg Gwynllyw - ON TARGET
• Complete the design process for the new Mamhilad primary school (210 place on a 315 footprint) - NOT STARTED
• Open a new childcare setting at Ysgol Gymraeg Gwynllyw - COMPLETED
• Deliver £1.4m suite of projects to improve our schools - COMPLETED
• Produce a Whole School approach to well-being strategy.  This will be informed by SHERN data, Public Health, Schools, young people and other stakeholders - COMPLETED
• Improve the range of provision, support and resources available to Welsh Medium learners with ALN - ON TARGET
• Establish and implement processes to evaluate the quality of teaching and learning in Torfaen schools e.g. termly thematic reviews; foci of supported self-evaluation - COMPLETED
• Increase opportunities to live and learn in the Welsh language by establishing 3 new Welsh medium Flying Start providers. This includes developing the Local Authority childcare at Ysgol Gymraeg Gwynllyw - COMPLETED
• Strive for 95” and launch a new awareness raising campaign #notinmissout to improve attendance' - COMPLETED
• Work with 16 schools to promote good attendance, reduce unauthorised absences as part of the #NotinMissout communication campaign - ON TARGET

• Started work on a new school for Maendy Primary School, a 50-place extension at Crownbridge and 3G pitch at Ysgol Gymraeg Gwynllyw.
• Completed all agreed school projects on time and to the agreed budgets. This includes an additional project to St Albans School funded via Welsh Government resulting in a total £1.8m.
• Provided 37 Gofal Plant yr Enfys Gwynllyw childcare places.
• Updated the Education Welfare Service web pages and contact details.
• Worked with 19 schools as part of the #NotInMissOut campaign to promote the benefits of regular school attendance.

Economy & Skills Delivery Plan

• Support 800 young people to improve their literacy through the National Summer Reading Challenge - COMPLETED
• Support 700 school children to develop literacy skills through the Library Skills sessions - DELAYED
• Provide Council work experience placements for 36 young people (initially under 16s) who are at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) and/or Children Looked After - COMPLETED
• Reduce the percentage of young people who leave year 11 classified as 'not in employment, education or training by Careers Wales from 2.6% to 2.4% - COMPLETED
• Deliver 125 qualifications (as defined by Qualification and Credit Framework) to targeted secondary-school age young people at risk of not progressing into employment education or training - COMPLETED

• Changed the literacy measurement from number of library enrolments to number of children regularly visiting libraries.
• Provided work experience opportunities to young people at risk of becoming Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) through the Inspire projects.
• Reduce the NEET figure for Torfaen to 1.9% which puts the council 9th out of Wales’ 22 local authorities.

Community Well-being Strategy

• Encourage 30 new young people to volunteer in their community - COMPLETED
• Enrol 750 people onto "essential skills" adult & community learning courses to help more residents to improve their employment prospects - COMPLETED
• Enrol 170 people onto "digital" adult & community Learning courses to help more residents improve their employment prospects - COMPLETED
• Enrol 424 people onto “lifestyle and leisure” adult & community learning courses to help more residents develop life skills and improve their wellbeing - COMPLETED
• Increase the number of residents receiving support from our employability services (Communities for Work, Shared Prosperity Fund, and EU legacy programmes) to help more residents progress in or into sustainable employment - ON TARGET
• Support 300 additional people into employment through our Communities for Work+ Programme - DELAYED
• Support 300 adults to participate in the Multiply numeracy programme and work towards a qualification in Maths up to an including Level 2 on the National Qualifications Framework - DELAYED

• Exceeded the number of young people volunteering in their communities in activities including bike maintenance and allotments.  

• Engaged with 32% more residents than targeted in employability programmes. 

• Helped 196 people into employment through the Communities 4 Work Plus programme.  

• Work with Welsh Government on future plans for expanding the accessibility of childcare to all 2 year-olds - COMPLETED

• Offered eligible families in Flying Start expansion areas have been offered a Flying Start Childcare Place.  

• Increase the number of young people supported through working in partnership with a range of statutory and voluntary organisations - DELAYED

• Worked with charitable organisations and partners to engage with 350 young people

• Continue to work with the community and schools to tailor our play provision offer to the community/schools needs - COMPLETED
• Provide play support packages to children and young people who require additional support - COMPLETED

• Delivered a wide program of play, including more than 300 hours of support to 1,600 pupils in schools every week.   
• Provided community play provisions to 4500 children and play and respite sessions on weekends to 200 children. 

• Fully implement the online referral pathway to ensure that children and families get the right help at the right time and minimise escalation through to statutory services - COMPLETED

• Rolled the online referral pathway to all schools.

• Multi agency review of referrals into the MASSH to ensure accurate thresholds are upheld between statutory and non-statutory services - ON TARGET
• To ensure at least 80% of the children we look after are placed with local authority foster carers (Our target is to have 90% by 25/26) - ON TARGET
• To ensure that all staff are trained in the strength-based approach in order that practice continues to develop and that safe decisions are made to impact on the CLA population and overall workload - ON TARGET
• Ensure qualified social worker caseloads are manageable and reduced to an average of 20 - DELAYED
• Reduce the number of children we look after by up to 15% within 2023/24 - ON TARGET
• Review the impact of the Children Looked After Reduction Strategy and develop as necessary - ON TARGET
• Review and develop a broad range of provision/accommodation for children looked after who require specialist provision in order to ensure consistency of placement and reduce profit in care - DELAYED

• As at the end of March 2024, 82.2% of children in mainstream foster placements, were placed with 'in house' foster carers. 
• 6 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children placed with Independent Foster Agency carers (IFA). 
• As at the end of March 2024, 45% of Social Workers had caseloads at or below target. 
• Made progress with Greenhill Bungalow, which will have capacity for two looked-after children and staff. 

• Through the Multiply Programme, launch a Family Learning programme in Schools and Community Settings to encourage and enable parents to support their children's learning at home - ON TARGET

• Help refugees fleeing violence in Ukraine to settle with local Torfaen sponsors - ON TARGET
• Support families from the Middle East & Africa to resettle in Torfaen - ON TARGET

• Resettled 115 Ukrainians in the borough since April 2022 – 91 were still living in the borough in January 2024.

• Through the Multi-Agency Pupil Intervention (MAPI) process work with 50 young people at risk of engaging in ASB / crime and disorder - ON TARGET
• Support 90% of all young people in need of prevention and intervention for ASB to exit the process with a positive outcome - ON TARGET
• Support 90% of all adults in need of prevention and intervention for ASB to exit the process with a positive outcome - ON TARGET

• Supported 81 young people through Multi-Agency Pupil Intervention.  
• Used the Anti-Social Behaviour strike process to determine the level of intervention needed and help young people to reach a positive outcome.   

• Promote take up of free school meals, to reach 75% of eligible households - COMPLETED

• Rolled out Universal Free School Meals to all primary schools

• Improve young people’s road safety awareness through the delivery of training through the kerbcraft initiative - COMPLETED

• Delivered road awareness training to 1,300 pupils by March 2024 

• We will protect children from harmful substances and products through undertaking test purchasing exercises with partners on the sale of age restricted goods, such as alcohol, tobacco and knives - COMPLETED

• Carried out four test purchase exercises

• To maximise benefits take up for customers - ON TARGET
• To administer Housing Benefits accurately inline with DWP regulations (demand led) - ON TARGET
• To award Discretionary Housing Payments in line with the relevant council policy - ON TARGET
• To administer the Council Tax Reduction Scheme efficiently (demand led) - ON TARGET

• 795 people referred for benefits advice.  
• Reduced the processing time for new housing benefit claims to 15 days rather than the target of 20 days.  
• Awarded 902 claims for Discretionary Housing Payments totalling £423,725.89

• To award Free School Meals - ON TARGET
• To award school uniform grants - ON TARGET
• To award guardianship/adoption payments - ON TARGET
• To carry out social care means testing assessments - ON TARGET

• Processed 4,448 claims for Free School Meals and 3,600 claims for School Essential Grants.

• Work, across the council in order develop community resilience and reduce the need for and burden on statutory services - ON TARGET

• Increase patch-based care services around communities to improve outcomes for residents and capacity in the care market - ON TARGET
• Increase provision from reablement services so that residents achieve greater benefit from care and support and gain greater independence at home - ON TARGET
• Work with the local health board to improve transfers of care, reduce waiting times for care packages and prevent avoidable admission to hospital via services in the community - ON TARGET
• Increase the use of assistive technology to compliment or replace direct care services in order to support people to maintain and achieve greater levels of independence - ON TARGET

• Ran a pilot with care provider in the north of the borough.  
• New integrated reablement service ready to commence in April 2024 
• 551 people received Assistive Technology and 925 received a lifeline as part of a care and support plan. The new contract has been awarded and transitional arrangements planned for the Spring 2024

• Review the provision of domiciliary care to ascertain benefits and consider the merits of current or alternative arrangements (i.e. commissioned services vs in house model) - TERMINATED

• This piece of work has been superseded the new Integrated Reablement Project planned for 2025/26 / 2026/27

• Maximise independence & wellbeing across all abilities with an enhanced community reablement offer for Torfaen - DELAYED

• Review the front door/means of entry into adult social care statutory services and amend the existing model as necessary and as determined by the review in order to manage demand and ensure that statutory services are received by those with the required level of need with amended model being in place by September 2023 - ON TARGET

• Work with each Community Council to prepare an action plan for how We will work together to improve resilience and wellbeing in their community - DELAYED
• Launch the community capacity building and grant programme to develop and grow Information, Advice and Assistance  (IAA) at a local community level - COMPLETED
• Support an additional 240 residents to connect to groups in their community who can support their wellbeing through our Community Connector Service - COMPLETED
• Help 75 Community Connector clients to sustain their independence resulting in their case not being opened as a formal social care assessment within 6 months of their receiving support from the connectors - TERMINATED
• Support 600 residents to participate in the Building Resilient Communities programme which helps to build resilience to crises using community interventions [200 BRC, 400 SPF] - ON TARGET
• Support 50 residents to improve their mental health & wellbeing through the building resilient communities programme (SPF) - DELAYED
• Support 40 residents who report to improve their physical health & wellbeing through the building resilient communities programme (SPF) - DELAYED
• Approve 5 grants per quarter to community groups who are helping to build resilience in their community - ON TARGET
• Approve 3 capital grants per quarter approved to community groups who are helping to build resilience in their community - ON TARGET

• 527 people supported by Community Connectors. 
• A new suite of community outcomes is being developed to evidence impact of independence gained by Community Connector clients. 
• Held a series of community energy engagement events.  
• Issued 20 grants to community groups helping to build resilience in their communities. 
• 12 capital grants per quarter approved for community groups helping to build resilience in their community. 

• Add 8 additional supported housing units and realign supported accommodation provision to reduce those at risk of homelessness - ON TARGET

• 8 additional supported housing units completed and due to be available from April 2024

• Complete the works related to the £1,715,000 in school kitchens to provide Universal Free School Meals for all Torfaen pupils in reception, year 1 and year 2 - COMPLETED
• Serve a total of 702,000 nutritious meals to primary pupils - COMPLETED

• All primary school pupils offered Universal Free School Meals from September 2023

• Support 400 residents with financial inclusion - COMPLETED
• Support 375 residents to reduce their debts - COMPLETED
• Support 375 residents to access relevant benefits - COMPLETED
• Support 100 residents in financial difficulty to maximise their income - COMPLETED

• Held a series of community drop-in sessions which provided financial support to 574 residents, helped 394 residents to reduce their debts, and helped 407 to access relevant benefits. 
• 511 residents helped to maximise income by successfully applying for benefits and budgeting advice.  

• We will secure affordable homes through the planning system - COMPLETED

• 1,293 dwellings delivered through both S106 Obligations and the WG Social Housing Grant

• We will undertake a project to assess conditions at targeted rented accommodation above shops to ensure they are safe and take appropriate action as necessary - ON TARGET
• We will improve housing standards and identify risks to health and safety by responding to and learning from complaints from residents about private rented properties - ON TARGET

• Dealt with 65 housing-related complaints in Q4, 51 of which were dealt with through informal action, e.g., advice, signposting and/or communication with landlords. Inspections were carried out at 14 properties

• Aim to achieve Sustainable Food Place status to increase regional food supply chains supporting community, food production / supply, restaurants promoting economic prosperity and food security - COMPLETED
• Create and agree a food charter which will set out the priorities and impact intended for delivery through the Food Partnership - ON TARGET
• Deliver a business focused Food Development Grant Scheme - COMPLETED
• Deliver a Community Food Scheme, supporting third sector community food projects to improve accessibility to affordable and healthy food - COMPLETED
• Coordinate the “Growing Food Connections” Strategy Consultation which will identify how we intend to deliver our good food priorities - COMPLETED
• Hold the first annual Food Summit to promote and raise awareness of the overall food strategy and way forward - COMPLETED
• Launch the Good Food Network and Food Business Network to increase capacity and capability in Torfaen to deliver on the food strategy - COMPLETED

• Application submitted for Sustainable Food Place Silver status.  
•  4 businesses awarded funding 
• 15 third sector grants  
•  Food Summit held in Blaenavon

• Increase the percentage of library at home customers who agree that the service has made a positive difference to their lives - ON TARGET
• Work with TVA and partners to promote and embed Connect Torfaen as the primary platform for community-based activity, inclusive of volunteering - DELAYED
• Increase the number of individual members of Connect Torfaen platform to 500 to encourage community groups to share wellbeing information to residents in their area - ON TARGET
• Increase the number of volunteers registered to the Connect platform - ON TARGET

• Increased the number of respondents who said the service had made a positive difference to their lives to 94%.
• Started a review of the Connect Torfaen platform to further increase members and volunteers.

• Offer a digital inclusion programme to residents to increase digital skills for life, with over 60% of participants still meeting the criteria after 12 months - DELAYED

• Complete the upgrade to Pontypool and New Inn Station - DELAYED
• Undertake a strategic assessment of Active Travel opportunities along Cwmbran Drive leading to a development of Outline Business Case in 23/24 - TERMINATED
• Deliver 9 Active Travel School Plans and assess their effectiveness - COMPLETED
• Deliver a suite of Active Travel schemes in 23/24 as per the approved Active Travel Delivery Plan - COMPLETED
• Deliver Safe Routes in Communities projects - NOT DUE

• Finalised a programme of works which are awaiting sign off from Network Rail and the Office of Rail Regulation.   
• Worked with Blenheim Road, Coed Eva, Croesyceiliog, Cwmffrwdoer, Griffithstown, Llantarnam, Penygarn and Nant Celyn primary schools, and Ysgol Bryn Onnen to develop Active Travel School Plans

• Deliver the WG 20MPH project - COMPLETED

• Add solar photo voltaic installations to 14 schools - COMPLETED

• 14 installations within schools completed

• Support 400 residents to access advice on reducing energy use and reducing bills - COMPLETED

• 1007 residents given advice on reducing energy usage and bills

• Recycle 100 cycles for young people and families in need in Torfaen - COMPLETED
• Deliver an internal energy efficiency behaviour change campaign to reduce energy use - ON TARGET
• Increase renewable energy generation on TCBC sites - COMPLETED
• Optimise energy efficiency measures to reduce energy use - COMPLETE
• Undertake "deep dives" on buildings to determine cost and strategy to achieve net zero carbon - DELAYED
• Production of net zero fleet strategy, policy framework and action plan - DELAYED
• Develop collective understanding of climate risks and to develop actions that build adaptive approaches - ON TARGET
• Produce a flood risk management strategy which will identify future priorities for action and investment to protect Torfaen from the risks of a changing climate - ON TARGET
• We will work with NRW on Carbon monitoring approach for sequestration activities including tree planting to ensure all carbon sequestration projects have measurable outcomes - DELAYED
• Start the process to create a new Local Nature Reserve so celebrate, protect and enhance nature - ON TARGET

• Recycled and distributed more than 125 bicycles.
• Made £373,000 savings through council staff behaviour change campaign.
• Installed 15 solar photovoltaic installations on council sites.
• Secured Welsh Government grants for net carbon zero projects at Ty Blaen, Crownbridge and Garnteg schools, The Powerstation, Greenmeadow Community Farm and Civic Centre in Pontypool.
• Worked with Natural Resources Wales and local partners to designate Blaenserchan valley as a Local Nature Reserve. Awaiting Natural Resources Wales approval.

• Deliver 2023 partnership cleansing and grass cutting contract and agree a longer-term partnership arrangement with Bron Afon - COMPLETE

• Agreement reached by August 2023 

• We will determine the carbon impact of the recycling and waste service - DELAYED
• Take forward our plans to build a new recycling sorting facility with work to begin within planning timeframe - DELAYED
• Identify how we intend to increase recycling to ensure we meet WG targets and create associated action plan for delivery - DELAYED
• Introduce weekly cardboard collections - COMPLETE
• We will recycle additional material at the kerbside (small WEEE and batteries) and expand on collecting 'stretchy' plastic from communal points across Torfaen - DELAYED
• Support Council and private businesses to be compliant with emerging recycling law changes so they can recycle more - COMPLETE

• Liaised with staff and WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) to identify the best way of capturing the carbon impact of the recycling and waste service.  
• Developed a feasibility study on future options for a new recycling sorting facility in the borough.  
• Introduced weekly cardboard collections in November 2023. 
• Launched new trade waste service in April 2024

• We will monitor air quality within the borough taking the necessary action to protect public health and the environment - ON TARGET

• We will assist low income and vulnerable households in the least energy efficient homes to access support schemes aimed at increasing energy efficiency and reducing fuel poverty e.g. Eco Flex - ON TARGET

• Received 20 referrals in Q3&4 for energy efficiency advice

• Support 20 local businesses in the "everyday economy" to set up or become more resilient - DELAYED
• Support 40 potential entrepreneurs to be ready to set up a business - DELAYED
• Increase occupancy in the Indoor Market to 74% of stalls to help Pontypool become a more vibrant and sustainable community - DELAYED
• Support 25 young people to engage in youth entrepreneurial activities - COMPLETED
• Create and implement Investment Prospectus to promote the refurbishment and establishment of new industrial land and find out what support is required to bring forward their development - DELAYED
• Establish a flagship innovation campus around the Grange University Hospital - ON TARGET
• Review and refocus Springboard Business Innovation Centre to become a hub in a network of innovation spaces for new and emerging businesses - ON TARGET
• Create an innovation pathway and multi-disciplinary team process with the health board and regional universities at the Medi Park - ON TARGET
• Develop and deliver the Torfaen Business Engagement Framework - DELAYED
• Deliver the Business Innovation Eco-system Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) project - ON TARGET
• Deliver the new business model for the Torfaen Business Voice - COMPLETED
• Develop business case for commercial portfolio investment programme in preparation for future MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard) regulation changes - DELAYED

• Supported seven high street businesses and 18 potential entrepreneurs
• Worked with 30 young entrepreneurs to help them sell artwork at a Christmas market, maintain bikes and train as baristas
• Developed business case to review and refocus the Springboard Business Innovation Centre
• Awarded 11 tech grants and 6 soft landing grants
• Created online incubator due to be launched in April 2024 launch.

• 10 high emitter decarbonisation plans developed for businesses - ON TARGET
• 3 low or zero carbon energy infrastructure projects installed - ON TARGET
• 1 Community Electric Vehicle Scheme supported - DELAYED

• We will engage with businesses in connection with planning applications and make decisions in line with the LDP - DELAYED

• Support Implementation Leads and five new schools to access the Whole School Approach (WSA) to Emotional Health and Mental Wellbeing Self-Evaluation tool - COMPLETED

• 9 new schools accessed Whole School Approach self-evaluation tool
• Held Whole School Approach to Emotional and Mental Wellbeing Conference and governor training

• Increase the offer of holistic well-being options for young people through youth work activity, led and designed by young people accessing the service - COMPLETED

• 2,000 young people provided with youth work activity, including Duke of Edinburgh award and young parents’ groups

• Encourage and support schools to help learners participate in sport at least 3 or more times a week outside of the curriculum’ - COMPLETED
• Work with additional partners to promote the benefits of a physically active lifestyle on all aspects of residents lives - COMPLETED

• Nearly half of all learners participated in sport at least 3 or more times a week outside of the curriculum.  
• Worked with 30 partners to promote the benefits of a physically active life.

• Deliver the Llantarnam 3G pitch project - ON TARGET
• Deliver Southville re-installation of Play Area - DELAYED
• Creating Management Plan for Urban Parks to maintain amenity value of parks and identify opportunities for biodiversity - ON TARGET
• Blaenavon Tennis Courts refurbishment and upgrade - DELAYED
• Deliver Cwmbran Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) and Tennis Court upgrade.  Sports Wales, LTA and S106 funded - ON TARGET

• Completed planning and tendering process for a 3G pitch in Llantarnam. Work due to begin in summer 2024.  
• Planning work and transfer of land negotiations completed for a new play area in Southville. 
• Successful application for funding for refurbishment and update of tennis courts    
• Majority of work on new MUGA in Cwmbran completed. Permanent markings to be completed in spring 2024. 

• We will carry out food hygiene inspections of food establishments to ensure food is safe - DELAYED
• We will carry out food standards inspections of food establishments to ensure food is safe and what it says it is - COMPLETED

• Inspections carried out at all higher-risk food establishments

• Complete the farm renovation and introduce the new visitor offer and business operating model - DELAYED

• Submitted the first of two planning and SAB applications for the farm renovation

• Secure planning permission as part of our multi-year aim to take the Blaengafog Brook on the British out of culverts and into a new channel as the first stage of the British masterplan - DELAYED
• Progress feasibility work with partners/IDRIS to explore the heritage trails, green energy, agriculture and tourism opportunities relating to phase 2 of the wider masterplan for the British - DELAYED

• Submitted planning application for the watercourse. Further survey work is required to accompany the planning application

• Secure planning permission for the Pontypool Levelling Up Fund projects to rejuvenate our town centres and encourage a night-time economy with more visitors enjoying good quality places to eat and drink - ON TARGET
• We will work with communities and maximise funding opportunities that improve the appearance of communities and town centres that help promote pride in place - DELAYED
• Install community information panels and follow up with 20 volunteer engagement events - DELAYED
• Deliver Destination Torfaen proposal from the TTA as part of our multi-year aim to link our outstanding visitor attractions so that we can offer attractive packages for day and overnight visitors that include venues throughout the Borough - DELAYED

• All three Pontypool Levelling Up projects have been granted planning permission. 
• The council has maximised funding opportunities to enhance town centres, including the Townscape Heritage Programme, the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns, Levelling Up, Shared Prosperity Fund and Placemaking grants. 
• Facilitated the delivery of 3 volunteer events with a local volunteer group. 
• Torfaen Tourist Association received a grant through the Shared Prosperity Fund Destinations funding to develop a county-wide map. A Community Tourism Hackathon event was held with Cwmpas to develop fresh ideas from the community, and develop buy in

• Increase footfall at the Blaenavon World Heritage Centre to 25,000 to encourage more local residents and visitors to the Borough to see the culture and heritage of Torfaen - ON TARGET

• Footfall is still behind pre-Covid levels but has exceeded the target for this year

• Implement preventative interventions which tackle hate crime, hate speech and intolerance in our communities to create safer, more cohesive communities - ON TARGET
• Supporting Active Communities:  Review the wide range of current environmental activities undertaken by community groups and volunteers in partnership with the service and prepare a strategic plan that provides a framework for its further development, to manage green spaces, maintain litter free areas and create volunteering, training and apprenticeship opportunities which in turn supports people (including the vulnerable) to secure gainful employment - DELAYED

• 7 workshops delivered to 210 primary school pupils, as part of the regional anti-discrimination programme.  
• New litter picking hubs established in Blaenavon VC School and Llandegfedd Reservoir.  
• Rubbish removed at ravine above The British at joint event with Keep Wales Tidy and Cardiff Rivers Group.

• Develop Coal Tip Management Strategy & Delivery Plan to protect and enhance the local environment and keep our communities safe from future risks - ON TARGET

• We will reduce/deter fly tipping through delivering ambitious projects with partners e.g. NRW, Bron Afon - ON TARGET
• We will undertake surveillance initiatives to identify those involved in fly-tipping and take enforcement action where appropriate - ON TARGET

• Fly-Tipping Action Wales poster competition held with primary schools
• One new litter-free business zones supported
• Smart cameras deployed in fly-tipping hot-spot areas

• Invest in roads and pavements in line with our Highways Asset Management Plan to ensure users can travel safely and the Council asset is maintained and managed appropriately - COMPLETE
• Deliver a programme of dropped kerb improvements to increase accessibility and ensure all new active travel interventions and developments promote and include dropped kerbs where needed and appropriate - COMPLETE

• £400,000 invested in roads and pavements   
• £25,000 spent on dropped kerbs  

• Reduce the "Call Torfaen" abandoned call rate for 'Adult Social Care and Blue Badges' to 3% of calls - ON TARGET
• Reduce the "Call Torfaen" abandoned call rate for 'Benefits' to 8% of calls - DELAYED
• Reduce the "Call Torfaen" abandoned call rate for Council Tax to 8% of calls - DELAYED
• Sustain the "Call Torfaen" abandoned call rate for all other services at 10% - ON TARGET
• Reduce the "Call Torfaen" average wait time for Adult Social Care and Blue Badge calls to 90 seconds - ON TARGET
• Reduce the "Call Torfaen" average wait time for Benefits calls to 360 seconds - ON TARGET
• Reduce the "Call Torfaen" average wait time for Council Tax calls to 360 seconds - ON TARGET
• Reduce the "Call Torfaen" average wait time for 'all other Services' calls to 360 seconds - ON TARGET

• Reduced Call Torfaen abandon rate to below expected target, despite a slight increase in volume. Abandon rates are down on previous year

• Provide an equalities induction and training to members - COMPLETED

• Implement the protocols for participation and involving the public, which have been adopted within our Public Participation Strategy to ensure we provide people with opportunities to have a say on the way we work and the decisions we make that affect them - ON TARGET
• Increase opportunities for young people to have a say on decisions that affect them - ON TARGET

• Carried out engagement training sessions with staff
• Relaunched the Torfaen Youth Forum and commenced plans for a junior youth forum and Torfaen Youth Alliance

• Deliver 12 training sessions for staff and volunteers on how to effectively engage children and young people in service design and delivery

• Register 94% of births within 42 days - DELAYED
• Register 94% of deaths (without coronial involvement) within 5 days - ON TARGET

• 97.8% of births were registered within 42 days in Q4