The city’s substance abuse services have facilitated access to treatment for people with drug dependencies through many reforms that have improved access to opioid substitution and detoxification treatment. The impact of the reforms on access to other substance abuse services could not be assessed because the reforms have only been in place for a very brief period and comparable statistical data were not available. Services for people suffering from drug dependence can also reduce the harm caused by drug use and improve the amenity and safety of the surrounding area, but facilities are lacking.

The city’s national advocacy has developed with the mayor model over the last two strategic periods.

Action has been taken on 94% of the recommendations from the 2021 assessment report.

Forty-two per cent of the binding operational targets were met. Fifty-eight per cent of the indicators measuring target achievement were met. The coronavirus pandemic still affected meeting targets, especially in the Culture and Leisure Division.

The introduction of Sarastia, the human resources and payroll system, failed in several areas. There were shortcomings in management, operational models, competence and system performance. Not enough effort was put into deployment and, in particular, into change management.

As of the 2022 budget, the City Council has no longer set targets for the City Group’s subsidiaries. In practice, the decision-making power for setting goals has been delegated to the City Board in the Group Guidelines adopted on 1 March 2023. The Audit Committee believes that the most significant subsidiaries at least should have goals to report to the City Council.

The city’s finances were on a solid footing despite a slight increase in the loan portfolio. The transition of Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services to government funding from 2023 onwards will significantly change the funding base.

The city has developed its building asset management and disposal processes and ownership policies, but these do not yet fully support strategic objectives and service needs. The disposal process for premises has recently been developed, so it remains to be seen what its effects will be.

Senior centres have made efforts to improve employee well-being, retention and attraction, but the indicators show that there is still room for improvement in future.