RCT Council Leader Publishes Annual Report

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Leader, Russell Roberts, has published his annual report for 2009, which is the first time ever such a document has been produced.

Cllr Roberts’ report sets out what the Council is doing for residents of Rhondda Cynon Taf, with a particular focus on its achievements in the last year.

The Annual Leader’s Report will be debated by Full Council on 23rd September in a first-of-its kind ‘State of the County Borough’ Annual Leader’s Debate to monitor service delivery and the future direction of the Council.

The Report is available to download now and has been placed in a range of Council public settings such as libraries, leisure centres, One4All centres and day centres. It outlines both successful service delivery to date and the challenges faced in the future, and is structured around seven themes:

• “Creating an engaging, effective authority”
• “Brighter, healthier lifestyles and futures”
• “Improving prospects, the economy and the future”
• “Cleaner, Greener Rhondda Cynon Taf”
• “Learning for a better future”
• “Investing in our infrastructure for a better quality of life”
• “Community Safety”

Outlining his ongoing commitment to delivering better services, Councillor Russell Roberts said:

“I hope that residents and everyone who has an interest in Rhondda Cynon Taf being a better place to live, work and visit, finds my Annual Report useful in seeing what the Council is doing for them and understanding more about the challenges we face.”

“As Leader, I, and my Cabinet colleagues, are democratically accountable for ensuring the Council fulfils its obligations and promises, whether these are in education, social services, or waste management etc, and that we aspire to deliver the best possible services within available resources.”

“In this difficult financial climate, tough decisions over the breadth and level of services we provide are inevitable. We will not shy away from making these decisions if they are the right ones and in the wider interests of the people of Rhondda Cynon Taf.”

“I am pleased that we improved our performance last year against key targets, meeting 75% of the performance indicators set for local authorities by the Assembly Government, which was an increase from 71% the year before. I am determined that we keep moving in the right direction.”

“There is always room for improvement and it is with this in mind that we approach the coming months and years.”