Delivery Plan 2023/2024

• 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

Capital Projects, Access & Engagement

Start build summer 23

Build complete (May 25) and to budget (£17.1m)

• Start the £6.85m net zero carbon 50 place extension at Crownbridge to enhance provision for children and young people with severe learning difficulties

Capital Projects, Access & Engagement

On time (Summer 24) and to budget (£12.3m)

• Design and build 3G pitch at Ysgol Gymraeg Gwynllyw

Capital Projects, Access & Engagement

On time (Nov 23) and to budget (£1.65m)

• Complete the design process for the new Mamhilad primary school (210 place on a 315 footprint)

Capital Projects, Access & Engagement

On time (March 24)

• Open a new childcare setting at Ysgol Gymraeg Gwynllyw

Forward Planning & Access, Access & Engagement

On Time - Apr 23

• Deliver £1.4m suite of projects to improve our schools

Economic Development, Assets and Property

All projects identified to be delivered are delivered on time and on budget

• Produce a Whole School approach to well-being strategy.  This will be informed by SHERN data, Public Health, Schools, young people and other stakeholders

ALN & Inclusion

September 2023

• Improve the range of provision, support and resources available to Welsh Medium learners with ALN

ALN Transformation

Provision map completed September 2023

• 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

School Improvement

July 2023

• 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

Early Years

March 2024

• Strive for 95” and launch a new awareness raising campaign #notinmissout to improve attendance'.

Education Welfare Service / PSSU

September 2023

• Work with 16 schools to promote good attendance, reduce unauthorised absences as part of the #NotinMissout communication campaign

PSSU

Increase attendance by 2% across all schools worked with

• Support 800 young people to improve their literacy through the National Summer Reading Challenge

Customer, Digital, ICT and Libraries

800 young people

• Support 700 school children to develop literacy skills through the Library Skills sessions

700 school children

• 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

Communities & Renewal

36 young people

• 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%

2.4%

• 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

125 Qualifications

• Encourage 30 new young people to volunteer in their community

Communities & Renewal

30 young people

• Enrol 750 people onto "essential skills" adult & community learning courses to help more residents to improve their employment prospects

750 enrolments

• Enrol 170 people onto "digital" adult & community Learning courses to help more residents improve their employment prospects

170 enrolments

• Enrol 424 people onto “lifestyle and leisure” adult & community learning courses to help more residents develop life skills and improve their wellbeing

424 enrolments

• 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

TBA

(SPF Profiles to be agreed)

• Support 300 additional people into employment through our Communities for Work+ Programme

300 people

• Support 30% of employability participants into sustained employment for 6 months

30%

• 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

300 adults

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

Early Years

173 additional childcare places from April 23

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

Youth Service

350 young people engaged

• Continue to work with the community and schools to tailor our play provision offer to the community/schools needs

Play Service

Over 100 different play related projects delivered each year

1,600 pupils accessing play related projects in schools

4,500 accessing community play provisions

• Provide play support packages to children and young people who require additional support

Play Service

200 per year  accessing weekend play and respite and holiday provisions

• 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

Children & Families

Expand to all agencies - explore options June 23

• Multi agency review of referrals into the MASSH to ensure accurate thresholds are upheld between statutory and non-statutory services

Children & Families

Ongoing throughout 23/24

• 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)

Children & Families

80%

• 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

Children & Families

100% staff trained

• Ensure qualified social worker caseloads are manageable and reduced to an average of 20

Children & Families

> 20 cases per social worker

• Reduce the number of children we look after by up to 15% within 2023/24

Children & Families

LAC reduction by 15%

• Review the impact of the Children Looked After Reduction Strategy and develop as necessary

Children & Families

Review completed by September 2023

• 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

Children & Families

Dec 2023

• 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.

Communities & Renewal

March 2024

• Help refugees fleeing violence in Ukraine to settle with local Torfaen sponsors

PSSU

Demand Led

• Support families from the Middle East & Africa to resettle in Torfaen

Demand Led

• Through the Multi-Agency Pupil Intervention (MAPI) process work with 50 young people at risk of engaging in ASB / crime and disorder

PSSU

50 young people

• Support 90% of all young people in need of prevention and intervention for ASB to exit the process with a positive outcome

90%

• Support 90% of all adults in need of prevention and intervention for ASB to exit the process with a positive outcome

90%

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

PSSU

75%

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

Highways and Climate Change

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

Licensing & Trading Standards

2 test purchases exercises undertaken and any enforcement action needed would be instigated.

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

Deputy Chief Executive - Resources

Ongoing – Leaflet with all bills; website

£24million

£429,000

£10.3 million (9,600 recipients)

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

Deputy Chief Executive - Resources

4,400

3,600

200

1,000

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

Children & Families

Ongoing throughout 23/24

• Increase patch-based care services around communities to improve outcomes for residents and capacity in the care market

Adults & Commissioning

Ongoing throughout 23/24

• Increase provision from reablement services so that residents achieve greater benefit from care and support and gain greater independence at home

Adults & Commissioning

New 2023/24 – establishing baseline

• 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

Adults & Commissioning

Pathways of Care No's - reducing trend

Establish baseline for 2023/24

• 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

Adults & Commissioning

Establish baseline April 2023, for:

Number of people using Alarm + (prevention)

Number of people with assistive technology solutions as part of the care & Support plan.

(Aim to increase both)

• 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)

Adults & Commissioning

September 2023

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

Adults & Commissioning

New model of delivery fully operational in Q4 of 2023/24   

• 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

Adults & Commissioning

New model by Sept 2023

Milestones to be identified

• Work with each Community Council to prepare an action plan for how We will work together to improve resilience and wellbeing in their community.

Communities & Renewal

August 2023

• Launch the community capacity building and grant programme to develop and grow Information, Advice and Assistance  (IAA) at a local community level

March 2024

• Support an additional 240 residents to connect to groups in their community who can support their wellbeing through our Community Connector Service.

240 Residents

• 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

75

• 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]

600 Residents

• Support 50 residents to improve their mental health & wellbeing through the building resilient communities programme (SPF)

50 Residents

• Support 40 residents who report to improve their physical health & wellbeing through the building resilient communities programme (SPF)

40 Residents

• Approve 5 grants per quarter to community groups who are helping to build resilience in their community

20 Grants per year

• Approve 3 capital grants per quarter approved to community groups who are helping to build resilience in their community

12 grants per year

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

PSSU

8

• 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

PSSU

December 2023

• Serve a total of 702,000 nutritious meals to primary pupils

702,000

• Support 400 residents with financial inclusion

Communities & Renewal

400 Residents

• Support 375 residents to reduce their debts

375 Residents

• Support 375 residents to access relevant benefits

375 Residents

• Support 100 residents in financial difficulty to maximise their income

100 residents

• We will secure affordable homes through the planning system

Planning and Building Control

Application led

• 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

Housing Safety and Environmental Protection

Project undertaken and any action needed instigated

• 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

Housing Safety and Environmental Protection

March 2024

• 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
• Create and agree a food charter which will set out the priorities and impact intended for delivery through the Food Partnership 
• Deliver a business focused Food Development Grant Scheme
• Deliver a Community Food Scheme, supporting third sector community food projects to improve accessibility to affordable and healthy food.
• Coordinate the “Growing Food Connections” Strategy Consultation which will identify how we intend to deliver our good food priorities
• Hold the first annual Food Summit to promote and raise awareness of the overall food strategy and way forward
• Launch the Good Food Network and Food Business Network to increase capacity and capability in Torfaen to deliver on the food strategy

Economy and the Environment

Bid submitted

Cabinet approval July 2023

4 businesses awarded funding

10 community projects supported by end of 23-24

Summit held

Networks launched

Number of participants receiving support  - 500

Number of businesses receiving grants – 4 - £40,000

Number of third sector grants – 15 - £120,000

• Increase the percentage of library at home customers who agree that the service has made a positive difference to their lives

Customer, Digital, ICT and Libraries

90% of customers

• Work with TVA and partners to promote and embed Connect Torfaen as the primary platform for community-based activity, inclusive of volunteering.

Communities & Renewal

December 2023

• 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

500 members

• Increase the number of volunteers registered to the Connect platform

100 volunteers registered

• 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

Customer, Digital, ICT and Libraries

60%

• Complete the upgrade to Pontypool and New Inn Station

Highways & Climate Change

May 2023

• Undertake a strategic assessment of Active Travel opportunities along Cwmbran Drive leading to a development of Outline Business Case in 23/24

OBC completed October 2023

• Deliver 9 Active Travel School Plans and assess their effectiveness

9 by September 2023

• Deliver a suite of Active Travel schemes in 23/24 as per the approved Active Travel Delivery Plan

Approval of schemes (WG funding Apr 2023)

Procurement Oct 23

Schemes delivered Mar 24

• Deliver Safe Routes in Communities projects

Programme dependent on WG funding – to be updated at Q1

• Deliver the WG 20MPH project

Highways & Climate Change

September 2023

• Add solar photo voltaic installations to 14 schools

Capital Projects, Access & Engagement

Works completed in 14 schools by Apr 24

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

Communities & Renewal

400 residents

• Recycle 100 cycles for young people and families in need in Torfaen

Communities & Renewal

100 cycles recycled

• Deliver an internal energy efficiency behaviour change campaign to reduce energy use

Highways & Climate Change

Pilot Spring 2023

Launch by Oct 23

• Increase renewable energy generation on TCBC sites

Sites to be identified and updated at Q1

• Optimise energy efficiency measures to reduce energy use

Sites to be identified and updated at Q1

• Undertake "deep dives" on buildings to determine cost and strategy to achieve net zero carbon

TBA through project Apollo

• Production of net zero fleet strategy, policy framework and action plan

September 2023

• Develop collective understanding of climate risks and to develop actions that build adaptive approaches.

Plan produced by

March 2024

• 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

Strategy agreed by March

2024

• We will work with NRW on Carbon monitoring approach for sequestration activities including tree planting to ensure all carbon sequestration projects have measurable outcomes.

Environment Team

Approach developed

March 2024

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

Environment Team

Agreement reached by

August 2023

• Start the process to create a new Local Nature Reserve so celebrate, protect and enhance nature

Environment Team

Project plan milestones are met

• We will determine the carbon impact of the recycling and waste service

Recycling & Waste Team

December 2023

• Take forward our plans to build a new recycling sorting facility with work to begin within planning timeframe

December 2023

• Identify how we intend to increase recycling to ensure we meet WG targets and create associated action plan for delivery

July 2023

• Introduce weekly cardboard collections

September 2023

• We will recycle additional material at the kerbside (small WEEE and batteries) and expand on collecting 'stretchy' plastic from communal points across Torfaen

September 2023

• Support Council and private businesses to be compliant with emerging recycling law changes so they can recycle more

October 2023

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

Housing Safety and Environmental Protection

March 2024

• 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

Housing Safety and Environmental Protection

March 2024

No. of householders expressing interest and eligible for eco flex

• Support 20 local businesses in the "everyday economy" to set up or become more resilient

Communities & Renewal

20 local businesses

• Support 40 potential entrepreneurs to be ready to set up a business

40 Potential entrepreneurs

• Increase occupancy in the Indoor Market to 74% of stalls to help Pontypool become a more vibrant and sustainable community

74%

• Support 25 young people to engage in youth entrepreneurial activities

25 young people

• 10 high emitter decarbonisation plans developed for businesses

Highways & Climate Change

10 plans

3 infrastructure projects

1 EV community scheme

• 3 low or zero carbon energy infrastructure projects installed
• 1 Community Electric Vehicle Scheme supported

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

Planning & Building Control

Application led

• 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

Economic Development, Assets and Property

September 2023

• Establish a flagship innovation campus around the Grange University Hospital

December 2024

• Review and refocus Springboard Business Innovation Centre to become a hub in a network of innovation spaces for new and emerging businesses

Condition survey Mar ‘23

Business Operating / Finance modelling Apr ‘23

Business Case drafted June ‘23

Cabinet Sep / Oct ’23

Procurement Nov’23

• Create an innovation pathway and multi-disciplinary team process with the health board and regional universities at the Medi Park

Clear way forward identified by December 24

• Develop and deliver the Torfaen Business Engagement Framework

By March 2024

• Deliver the Business Innovation Eco-system Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) project

By March 2025

(timescales to be updated at Q1)

• Deliver the new business model for the Torfaen Business Voice

By March 2024

• Develop business case for commercial portfolio investment programme in preparation for future MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard) regulation changes

March 2024

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

Healthy Schools

5 new schools recruited

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

Youth Service

2,000 young people

• Encourage and support schools to help learners participate in sport at least 3 or more times a week outside of the curriculum’

Sports Development

Engaged with 100% of schools in Torfaen

40% learners participate in sport at least 3 or more times a week outside of the curriculum by 2024

• Work with additional partners to promote the benefits of a physically active lifestyle on all aspects of residents lives

Sports Development

30 partner organisations

• Deliver the Llantarnam 3G pitch project

• Deliver Southville re-installation of Play Area.

• Creating Management Plan for Urban Parks to maintain amenity value of parks and identify opportunities for biodiversity 

• Blaenavon Tennis Courts refurbishment and upgrade

• Deliver Cwmbran Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) and Tennis Court upgrade.  Sports Wales, LTA and S106 funded.

Environment Team

December 2023

Park completed Nov-23

Plans for parks completed Mar-24 (more detailed plans for each park to be developed Q1 2023-24)

Blaenavon completed by Mar-24

Cwmbran to be completed by June -23

• We will carry out food hygiene inspections of food establishments to ensure food is safe

Food and Health Protection

100% of planned inspections undertaken

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

Licensing & Trading Standards

100% of planned inspections undertaken

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

Communities & Renewal

Secure planning and be in contract permission by June 2023/23

• 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

Communities & Renewal

March 2024

• 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.

December 2023

• 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

Communities & Renewal

December 2023

• We will work with communities and maximise funding opportunities that improve the appearance of communities and town centres that help promote pride in place

September 2023

• Install community information panels and follow up with 20 volunteer engagement events.

20 Volunteer Engagement events

• 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

December 2023

• 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

Communities & Renewal

25,000

• Implement preventative interventions which tackle hate crime, hate speech and intolerance in our communities to create safer, more cohesive communities

PSSU

Demand Led

• 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.

Environment Team

March 2024

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

Highways & Climate Change

Plan produced by March 2024

• We will reduce/deter fly tipping through delivering ambitious projects with partners e.g. NRW, Bron Afon

Environment Team

a 5% reduction over 21-22 reported incidents

• We will undertake surveillance initiatives to identify those involved in fly-tipping and take enforcement action where appropriate

Environmental Health

100 % reports of fly-tipped waste, where evidence of the perpetrator is obtained, resulting in enforcement action

being taken

• 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

• 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.

Highways & Climate Change

£400k capital allocation for fully utilised

95% of highway inspections undertaken in time

Only 2% of principal highways in poor condition

£25k dropped kerb capital allocation fully utilised

• Reduce the "Call Torfaen" abandoned call rate for 'Adult Social Care and Blue Badges' to 3% of calls

Customer, Digital, ICT and Libraries

3%

• Reduce the "Call Torfaen" abandoned call rate for 'Benefits' to 8% of calls

8%

• Reduce the "Call Torfaen" abandoned call rate for Council Tax to 8% of calls

8%

• Sustain the "Call Torfaen" abandoned call rate for all other services at 10%

10%

• Reduce the "Call Torfaen" average wait time for Adult Social Care and Blue Badge calls to 90 seconds.

90 Seconds

• Reduce the "Call Torfaen" average wait time for Benefits calls to 360 seconds.

360 Seconds

• Reduce the "Call Torfaen" average wait time for Council Tax calls to 360 seconds

360 Seconds

• Reduce the "Call Torfaen" average wait time for 'all other Services' calls to 360 seconds.

360 Seconds

• Provide an equalities induction and training to members

PSSU

December 2023

• 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

PSSU

December 2023

• Increase opportunities for young people to have a say on decisions that affect them

March 2024

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

PSSU

12 training sessions

• Register 94% of births within 42 days

PSSU

94%

• Register 94% of deaths (without coronial involvement) within 5 days

94%