Decision details

Councillor Reeve presented the Corporate Plan 2023-27. He said this would be the final Corporate Plan of the administration, which would be light-touch due to the elections in May. He said the administration had delivered its vision within the council’s means and some excellent work had been done in regards to a wide range of matters, such as the Climate Change Strategy, Economic Recovery Delivery Plan and the Investment Portfolio. He thanked the Assistant Director Corporate Services and the Chief Executive for their assistance in producing the document and proposed approval of the Plan.

Councillor Evans seconded the proposal.

Councillor Khan said the Corporate Plan was shallow and asked for evidence that services had been delivered cost effectively. He said fewer council homes had been built than promised and highlighted that the annual accounts had still not been signed off.

Councillor Sell said there was a gap between what was promised and what was achieved by the administration; he said he regretted the aborted attempt to amend the Cabinet system.

In response, Councillors Lees and Coote said the administration had promised to review the Cabinet system and that was what they did. Councillor Coote said he had spent time trying to improve governance measures in consultation with the opposition groups.

CouncillorCriscione asked whether a Corporate Plan Delivery Plan would be made available before the election. He said caution should be applied to political statements made on matters that could result in planning applications, such as the second runway at Stansted Airport  

In response to a question from Councillor Caton regarding the Local Plan Leadership Group, Councillor Evans said the working group was not operating in secret as a cross-party workshop had been held in the previous week. Councillor Bagnall added that the working party sessions had been constructive and Councillor Caton had been present.

Councillor Reeve summarised the debate and confirmed that a Corporate Plan Delivery Plan would not be produced before the next election. He commended the report.

            RESOLVED that the Corporate Plan 2023-2027 is adopted.