Issue - meetings

That subject to the comments, the Committee supports the proposed Priorities, Sub-priorities and Well-being Objectives of the Council Plan 2023-28, as set out in Appendix 1.

The Chief Executive presented a report on the refreshed priorities, sub-priorities and well-being objectives within the Council Plan for 2023-28 which reflected a long-term view of recovery, projects and ambitions over the period.

The Chairman queried the impact of staff vacancies on the delivery of additional sub-priorities under the ‘Green Society and Environment priority’.  He also questioned the need for sub-priorities under ‘Well Managed Council’ which he saw as either statutory requirements, part of daily planning or business as usual, including Digital which was reflected elsewhere in the Council Plan.

The Chief Executive advised that the changes were appropriate and showed visibility on the delivery of those workstreams.  Members were reminded that this was a high-level summary document with further detail to be reported in Part 2 of the Council Plan.

In response to the Chairman’s comments, the Chief Officer (Governance) explained that Green Society sub-priorities incorporated new statutory duties for the Council.  He also provided clarification on different digital workstreams relating to workforce, residents and schools across the priorities.

Councillor Paul Johnson said that the aim at this stage was to agree the headings for priorities and sub-priorities prior to more detail being shared.  He spoke about the importance of setting out the aspirations of the Council, including day-to-day activities.

On the Housing Support and Homeless Prevention sub-priority, the Chairman queried the replacement of the word ‘avoiding’ with ‘ensuring’.  On Social Housing, he suggested that the words ‘and social housing’ be removed from the definition to avoid repetition with the heading.  On Carbon Neutrality, he queried the inclusion of reference to Covid-19 recovery.

The Chief Executive advised that the wording for Homeless Prevention had been revised to reflect service changes and Welsh Government policy.  He said that the comments raised would be reviewed.

On that basis, the recommendation was moved and seconded by Councillors Bernie Attridge and Rob Davies.

RESOLVED:

That subject to the comments, the Committee supports the proposed Priorities, Sub-priorities and Well-being Objectives of the Council Plan 2023-28, as set out in Appendix 1.