Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendation.

Councillor Roberts introduced the Council Plan for 2021/22 which would continue to take into account recovery in addition to longer-term strategic objectives.  The initial framework for Part One of the Plan was built around six themes, as outlined within the report, and each theme was accompanied by a strategic statement.

            The Chief Executive outlined the positive approach to Council planning and innovation and reported that the Council continued to perform well against targets set.  The Council Plan for 2021/22 clearly covered all priorities of the moment and said that it was important for officers to have positive milestones to achieve at the end of the pandemic.  Overview & Scrutiny Committees would have the opportunity to be engaged in the development of the Plan, with feedback initially received from the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee around the cross-cutting themes and a suggestion that the Committee may wish to lead on the Poverty theme.  Following the cycle of consultation, the Plan would be presented to Cabinet in its second stage prior to adoption by the County Council in April/May.

            The Strategic Performance Advisor reported on the strands of work to ensure the embedding of well-being objectives within the Plan.  Work was also progressing on part two of the Plan which would be presented to Cabinet in March/April. 

            Councillor Thomas welcomed the priorities as set out in the Plan which were clear for all partner agencies to follow.  On the cross-cutting themes, she commented on the positive joint working between service portfolios and suggested a clear pathway be developed to identify which priority area would be considered by which Overview & Scrutiny Committee going forward.  The Chief Executive suggested that when reporting quarterly to Overview & Scrutiny Committees the Plan would be shared, with specific reference made to the priorities which sit within the terms of reference of each Committee within the respective covering report.  

            In response to a question from Councillor Thomas, the Chief Executive advised that the Council Plan 2021/22 would be publicised once final with stakeholders having been consulted during its development. 

Members spoke in support of the Council Plan and the themes and supporting priorities and thanked all officers for the involvement in preparing the Council Plan.

RESOLVED:

That the draft Part One of the Council Plan 2021-22 be shared with Overview and Scrutiny Committees for consultation.