Agenda item

Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2017/107

Contact: Ben Threadgold, Policy & Performance Service Manager Tel: 07867 467838

Report by Chief Executive (CA7)

Cabinet is asked to consider the approach and direction being taken in developing the council’s new Corporate Plan (2018-21), and to approve the draft Corporate Plan prospectus for finalisation and design.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)           Comment on the attached draft prospectus;

(b)           Approve the draft prospectus for finalisation and design;

(c)           Note the approach being taken to develop the full new Corporate Plan, and suggest any matters for consideration by the Working Group.

Cabinet had before them a report asking for consideration of the approach and direction being taken in developing the council’s new Corporate Plan (2018-21), and seeking approval to the draft Corporate Plan prospectus.

Councillor Liz Brighouse, Chairman of Performance Scrutiny Committee referred to the session at the Committee that had been really good  and had really worked well.  The proposal for change was seen by the Committee as very positive.  She welcomed that the prospectus now before Cabinet had changed following scrutiny input.  Identifies issues around Bicester and how we build infrastructure as a case example.  It is good that it went to Performance Scrutiny in time to take into consideration but where does it go from here.  Welcomes the fact that it is involving, not top down but growing from bottom up.  Published prospectus allows public, stakeholders to feedback and engage before Corporate Plan comes to Full Council.  Not consultation but engagement with the public and partners. 

Councillor Liz Brighouse supported the prospectus as a means to engage with and inform the full Corporate Plan going to Full Council in due course. The prospectus once approved by Cabinet could be used now for engagement with the public and to inform that full corporate plan.

Councillor Laura Price, Opposition Deputy Leader commented that she had been pleased to join the working group and it would have been good to see more political groups there.  She highlighted the big questions raised by the group: what is it for; what does it do. She commended the Prospectus as a way to produce something quickly in order to make progress. Councillor Price acknowledged how different the County Council and the County look to when the last Corporate Plan was produced. It was important to get a feel from residents about how they felt about the plan and the language used, and particularly about the use of the term thriving. Whilst accepting that growth was a driver there was a demographic that was in danger of feeling left behind. It was important that the Prospectus was used to reach different audiences and that it could be added to or reduced as needed. It should be a living document engendering a sense of pride and taking everyone along with it.

Councillor Judith Heathcoat, Deputy Leader, in introducing the report commended the work of the Working Group. It had been an all-party group but not everyone had been able to attend. She commented on the draft nature of the document that included the bullet points made by the localities meeting. The final document would be proofread and formatted. The document was a balance between being fulsome and rich but not word heavy. The aim for the prospectus was that it be easy to pick up and read. She stressed that this was the prospectus and that the Corporate Plan would go through appropriate procedures including full Council. She moved the recommendations set out on page 62 of the agenda.

During discussion Cabinet:

·         Considered the use of the word thriving, acknowledged concerns but noted that it was linked to the term communities in the first bullet point of the Vision Statement as community was key.

·         Members welcomed the idea of a public facing document in plain English and agreed that it be a living document. It was noted that the Prospectus was about engagement rather than consultation.

·         Confirmed through the Leader that there would be cross party working on the Corporate Plan.

RESOLVED:             to:

(a)           comment on the attached draft prospectus;

(b)           approve the draft prospectus for finalisation and publication in consultation with the Deputy Leader; and

(c)            note the approach being taken to develop the full new Corporate Plan, and suggest any matters for consideration by the Working Group.