Issue - meetings

That the Improvement Plan 2014/15 be adopted.

The Chief Executive introduced the report to seek adoption of the Improvement Plan 2014/15, which was a statutory requirement, for final publication by end of June 2014.  He explained the background to the report and referred to the positive comments which had been made by the Wales Audit Office (WAO) on the presentation and content of the 2013/14 Improvement Plan.

            The Chief Executive reported that a review of the current priorities and sub priorities had been undertaken for 2014/15.  The draft Improvement Plan had  been presented for Member consultation by Overview and Scrutiny Committees (except Corporate Resources) and the final draft Plan 2014/15 presented to Cabinet for approval on 17 June 2014.    The final published Improvement Plan would be available as a web based document published on the website by end of June 2014.

            The Chief Executive and Policy Performance Manager delivered a presentation on the following main points

• choosing the in-year priorities
• Plan format
• priorities for 2012-2017
• following the Plan
• benefits of the approach so far
• 2013/14 Improvement Plan
• 2014/15 Improvement Plan   
• positive feedback
• next steps

The Chief Officer (Community and Enterprise) was invited to present on the priorities for Housing and Fuel Poverty.  She referred to the relevant sub priorities and explained the rationale, targets to be met in 2014/15, and risks to be managed.    

The Chief Officer (Education and Youth) reported on the Priority for Skills and Learning. He referred to the sub priority of modernised and high performing education and commented on the need to continue to achieve better learning opportunities, outcomes and wellbeing for all children and young people.  He also explained the need to support the national Welsh Government priorities to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes, make better use of education resources, and maintain effective and challenging governance arrangements in schools.  He commented on the work to be undertaken in 2014/15 and risks to be managed.

            Councillor Hilary Isherwood congratulated the Cabinet Member for Housing and the Chief Officer (Community and Enterprise) on the initiative to deliver energy efficiency measures to Council homes, and on the conversion of homes in the Aston and Mostyn areas from oil to gas. 

Councillor Rosetta Dolphin also thanked the Cabinet Member and Chief Officer for the energy efficiency measures to be carried out in Flintshire and for the extra care units which had been provided in Holywell and Flint.    

Councillor Clive Carver referred to the draft Improvement Plan which was appended to the report and queried the accuracy of the email address on page 70.  He also raised a question around the availability of the Plan in an alternative language on request.  The Policy and Performance Manger said she would check the email address and advised that the Plan would be translated and published in Welsh in accordance with the Welsh language policy and made available in other languages as required. 

            Councillor Robin Guest commented on changes which were made to the 2013/14 Improvement Plan following adoption at County Council last year.  He  sought assurance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22