Agenda item

RESOLVED: 

That the Council Plan 2023-28 Part 1 and Part 2 documents that outline the actions, measures and risks that underpin the Priorities, Sub-Priorities and Well-being objectives of the Council Plan 2023-28 be supported.

The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment & Economy) presented the report on the Council Plan 2023-28, Part 1 and Part 2, draft content for review and feedback prior to sign off at Cabinet.

The Chief Officer provided background information and advised that the Council Plan for 2023-28 had been reviewed and refreshed to reflect the key priorities of the Council for the five-year term of the new administration.  The ‘super-structure’ of the Plan comprised seven priorities and relevant sub-priorities.  The seven priorities take a long-term view of recovery, projects, and ambitions over the next five years.  The Council Plan 2023-28 will be published in a similar format to previous years, identifying actions aimed at achieving the Well-being objectives, priorities, and sub-priorities.  National and regional issues/risks which could impact on the achievement of these priorities will be identified and monitored.  Part 2 of the Council Plan will be considered by the respective Overview and Scrutiny committees to ensure full coverage of Part 1 of the Council Plan 2023-28 and its respective measures and their targets.

In co-presenting the report the Chief Officer (Streetscene & Transportation) commented on the long term strategies, ambitions, and Welsh Government priorities, and emphasised that the Plan took a long-term view of recovery over the next 5 years.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Economy spoke in support of the Council Plan which he said was a visionary document that supported the work of the Council up to 2028 and congratulated Officers on their work to develop the Plan.  He drew attention to the importance of the new sub priority within the Council Plan to Commission a data review for rural Flintshire and hold community consultation to better understand rural community needs by March 2024..

Councillor Mike Peers referred to Appendix 1 -An overview of the Wellbeing Objectives, Priorities, Sub priorities and their definitions, and commented on the following priorities: phosphate mitigation, net zero council carbon , levelling up, rural regeneration, and town centre regeneration.  Councillor Peers also referred to Appendix 2, the sub priority reducing worklessness, and the definition - work with our partners to support individuals to gain employment.  Commenting on the achievement actions he asked if the definition applied to all individuals or just disadvantaged groups. 

The Chief Officer (Planning Environment & Economy) responded to the questions and points raised by Councillor Peers.  He explained that a report to update Members on progress concerning phosphate mitigation would be submitted to a future meeting of the Planning Strategy Group.  He referred to the role of the Climate Change Committee and said that an action plan had been developed to address the need to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and could be provided to Members if wished.  Referring to the question raised by Councillor Peers on the withdrawal of Levelling Up the Chief Officer explained that the future for Levelling Up was currently unknown but projects could be aligned if funding was made available.  The Chief Officer also responded to the questions raised by Councillor Peers around rural and semi-rural regeneration, town centre regeneration, redundant buildings, and car parking, and commented on the work being undertaken on ‘placemaking’ plans.  

Regarding the further question by Councillor Peers on the priority Economy in Appendix 2; sub-priority to reduce worklessness, the Chief Officer advised that the overall action applied to everyone but the priority was for disadvantaged groups and said the point made by Councillor Peers would be acknowledged in the revision of the draft Council Plan. 

The Chief Officer (Streetscene & Transportation) referred to public transport in rural areas and reiterated that a report on the Integrated Transport Strategy would be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee to be held on 16 May, and was included as a sub-priority in Appendix 1.

The recommendation as set out in the report was moved by Councillor Mike Peers and seconded by Councillor Roy Wakelam.

RESOLVED: 

That the Council Plan 2023-28 Part 1 and Part 2 documents that outline the actions, measures and risks that underpin the Priorities, Sub-Priorities and Well-being objectives of the Council Plan 2023-28 be supported.