Issue - meetings

To consider the Draft Corporate Plan 2021-2025.

To consider the Draft Corporate Plan 2021-2025.

Councillor Barker declared a non-pecuniary interest as a Member of Essex County Council.

The Chair took Item 10 next in proceedings and asked Councillor Reeve to present the report on the draft Corporate Plan.

Councillor Reeve said the Corporate Plan had been thoroughly reviewed in light of the new Local Plan and the impact of Covid-19, but had been found to be robust and therefore largely remained unaltered. The only change from the previously agreed document related to ‘Youth’; the previous iteration had focused on the role of the Youth Council, while the updated document had broadened the scope to Youth more generally. He proposed approval of the Plan.

Councillor Driscoll seconded the proposal.

Members discussed the Corporate Plan and the following points were raised:

• Were the Administration living up to their pledge of “open, honest and responsible governance?”
• The Corporate Plan Delivery Plan was the real issue at hand and it should come to Full Council for approval.
• Could the Plan commit Council to “locally led development corporations” in terms of the Local Plan and the opposition of a second runway at Stansted Airport.
• There were no measures of success outlined in the document.
• It was not in the remit of the District Council to tell the County Council how to fulfil its statutory functions, such as school transport.
• However, District councillors did have a role in holding the County to account, as they were representing their ward constituents.
• Support for young people in the District needed to go beyond the Youth Council.
• The Youth Council itself required more support but it had created a real platform for young people since its establishment.
• The use of the word “play” infantilised the document.

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In response to these points, Councillor Reeve summarised as follows:

• The Administration took the governance of the Council extremely seriously.
• The principles raised in the Plan did not amount to pre-determination.
• There was a need to engage with both young and elderly people in the District and new corporate actions targeting these demographics would be introduced. The importance of “play” was the Administration’s desire to make Uttlesford a welcoming place for families.
• The District Council would work together with County to ensure matters progressed as they should.
• The Youth Council was an important organ of the Council but the scope should be widened to ensure all young people were supported.
• Specific details would be included in the Corporate Plan Delivery Plan, which would also include reference to other detailed plans, such as the Economic Development Plan and Climate Crisis Action Plan. The Corporate Plan set out the Administration’s priorities, the Delivery Plan would set out how the Administration would achieve these goals.

The Chair moved to a vote. The proposal was carried 25 for, 9 against and 3 abstentions.

            RESOLVED to approve the Corporate Plan 2021-2025.