Issue - meetings

To consider the Corporate Plan Delivery Plan 2021/22.

RESOLVED to approve the corporate plan delivery plan 2021/22, as set out in appendices A-D.

Councillor Reeve presented the report on the Corporate Plan Delivery Plan (CPDP) 2021/22. He said the Plan had been robustly scrutinised at the Scrutiny Committee and he had taken note of their comments, but there would be no changes made to the CPDP. He proposed approval of the document.

In addition to the comments made by Councillor Gregory earlier in the meeting, 10 points had been submitted by Councillor LeCount the evening before. In summary, Councillor Reeve responded to these points as follows:

· The Administration had decided not to strip out “business as usual” items as there was a wish to provide a degree of continuity with the Administration’s agenda.

·There was a great deal of detail contained within the CPDP as the Administration wanted to show how each priority was progressing throughout the year. Whilst the Scrutiny Committee considered this a weakness, the Administration felt it was of benefit.

·Youth – more detail and measurable targets had been requested by the Committee. However, the Administration were satisfied that there was sufficient detail and the Portfolio Holder, Councillor Day, was aware of what was required. Progress would be reviewed mid-year.

· Corporate Change programme regarding the efficient running of the Council– the Committee felt more detail was required but Councillor Reeve said he was satisfied that the CPDP spelt out how to achieve the said programme and no change was required.

·Member training programme – the Administration would wait until the end of the pandemic before diverting from the current ‘ad hoc’ approach.

·The consequence of purchasing the Little Canfield site had not been included as an action within the CPDP but was encapsulated in the ‘Uttlesford moving forward’ project.

Councillor Reeve said there was a general theme running through all points that had been raised by Scrutiny and said he would stop there.

The Leader said Cabinet were minded to approve the CPDP as presented in the report, but Councillor Reeve would write to the Scrutiny Committee to formally respond to the points raised.

Councillor Lees thanked Councillor Reeve for his presentation and asked whether the CPDP would be reviewed in the late summer.

The Leader confirmed and said the CPDP would be reviewed mid-year.

Councillor Pepper said the document was live and some elements would be updated, such as the tree planting scheme she was working on within her portfolio.

Councillor Evans referenced the Local Plan process and said “locally led Development Corporations” would only be applicable if it was resolved that new communities were the way forward. He said developer contributions would also be looked at and a Scrutiny Task & Finish Group had been setup to explore the matter.

Councillor Day said Youth was the only new initiative included in the CPDP. It had been introduced due to concerns that young people would be particularly impacted upon by the pandemic. However, he was pleased that young people would be consulted on the Local Plan process so their voices could be heard, and that further details would be released  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10

To consider the Corporate Plan Delivery Plan 2021/22

Councillor Reeve introduced the report and said the Corporate Plan 21-25 had been adopted by the Council on 23^rd February 2021; it was mainly unchanged from last year to provide a sustained plan over the course of the administration.

He said the draft delivery plan aimed to make progress on the ambitions of the administration in 2021/22.   He said most items had detailed plans and objectives but some were not yet completed.  He noted that the pandemic was still having an effect and still posed a risk to some actions.

He made Members aware that the Uttlesford Moving Forward programme was not included in the delivery plan and was being managed by Officers.  

The plan incorporated business as usual items which made the plan a longer but more comprehensive document.

There were 4 main themes and Councillor Reeve highlighted some items in each:-

Putting residents first

·         Expanding the opportunities for young people, Councillor Day as the portfolio holder was working on a more detailed plan. 

·         The completion of the £300m investment programme to ensure the Council was financed sufficiently.  

Being an active place maker for our towns and villages

·         Defined milestones within the Local Plan detailed in the Local Development Scheme

·         The Economic Development Recovery Plan and the current £350k budget for the coming year.

·         Updating the housing strategy and within that affordable housing.

Being progressive custodians of the rural environment

·         To build on the Climate Change Strategy document, approved at the last Council meeting.

Champion for the District

·         Supporting the ageing population which required more detail but the task and finish group had been set up to take this forward.

Members agreed that the document was too long and said that the business as usual items should be taken out. 

·         Councillor Reeve said it would be considered for next year. 

Councillor LeCount said it was a good plan overall.  He thought the document was over optimistic in places and would like to see more detail regarding the numbers as it helped to have data on how much was being spent and what the targets were. 

·         Councillor Reeve said he would need more details on what items were overly optimistic.

Councillor Reeve confirmed that he had considered all of Councillor Dean’s comments from last year and had been able to work some into the plan.

Councillor Sell highlighted some issues with the plan:-

He said it should mention relevant items within the year, for example Covid and the Investments Program to give context to readers. 

·         Councillor Reeve said this was a valid point which would be taken into consideration.  He also agreed that a plan for the period of the administration could be an option going forward but it was currently done on a yearly basis and followed the budget process.

On page 21, item 2a he was disappointed with the review of governance. 

·         Councillor Reeve said Councillor Coote were working on the review but he did not know the outcome yet.

On page 23, item 3f he said  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5