Issue - meetings

Report of the Leader

The Leader introduced the report. He thanked all the officers involved for their hard work in preparing the corporate strategy and in particular the Strategy and Engagement team.  He highlighted that it was a short, informative and easy to understand document. He noted that this had previously been agreed on an annual basis in anticipation of the Place Vision. The Place Vision had now been established and the corporate strategy built on the issues outlined within it, it had also been developed in parallel with the budget so was aligned to the Medium Term Financial Strategy. As per the outcome of the recent peer review, he advised that key resources were being focussed on the most important priorities. He confirmed that O&S had reviewed the document in February and they would conduct a 6 monthly review and the strategy would be reviewed by Council again in June. He highlighted that the departmental service plans were running in parallel to the corporate strategy.

The Leader cited the 5 key priorities and highlighted that the priority to make Cheltenham the cyber capital of the UK was an extremely important and exciting project for Cheltenham and the surrounding areas. With regards to the improvements to the town centre and public spaces they were continuing to ensure the CTP was rolled out and worked effectively. He confirmed that phase 1 of the High Street works had been completed and that the BID had reported an increase in footfall. Waste and recycling continued to be developed and work on making Cheltenham carbon neutral as per the Council motion adopted in February, was ongoing.  He noted that the lack of affordable housing was one of the biggest issues facing the town and the council was committed to delivering the £100m housing investment plan.

In the debate that followed, Members made the following comments:

·         One Member sought assurance that the resources were in place to be able to deliver on the corporate strategy. They were also grateful that a section on how success would be measured had been included. They also queried how we ensure the wider public are made aware of the programme and what the priorities are.

·         Councillor Harman, speaking on behalf of the conservative group highlighted that at the recent Council meeting they had voted against the continuation of the Boots Corner trial. He explained that they were in support of the corporate strategy, however, their stance on Boots Corner had not changed as this was just one element  of the Cheltenham Transport Plan.

·         Councillor Sudbury also advised that whilst she was in support of the corporate strategy she still had reservations about the transport plan.

The Leader acknowledged that as a Council and given the limited resources we are not able to achieve everything. However, once the action list had been devised they could better identify how each action would be resourced.

RESOLVED (unanimously) THAT

the draft corporate strategy 2019-23 (appendix 2) be approved and be used as a basis for monitoring  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10

Report of the Leader

RESOLVED THAT

the draft corporate strategy 2019-23 (appendix 2) be endorsed ahead of it going to Council for final approval.

The Leader introduced the report and explained that the starting point for the new plan was Cheltenham’s Place Vision; the collective commitment to ensure that Cheltenham is a place where everyone thrives supporting by a thriving economy, a thriving cultural offer and thriving communities. The commitments in the corporate plan supported this vision. The strategy would be backed up by an annual action list. He welcomed the new style document and wished to emphasise the following :

·         The plan would take the overall place strategy forward

·         It incorporated the positive feedback from the Peer review challenge and references from Overview and Scrutiny had been included

·         Reference to the Council motion declaring a climate emergency had been included in the sustainable ambitions and would be picked up in the action plans later in the year.

In terms of priorities these were as follows :

·         Making Cheltenham the Cyber-Capital of the UK.

·         Continuing the revitalisation and improvement of our vibrant town centre and public spaces.

·         Achieving a cleaner and greener sustainable environment for residents and visitors.

·         Increasing the supply of housing and investing to build resilient communities.

·         Delivering services to meet the needs of our residents and communities.

Finally, the Leader explained that the 3 year longer-term plan would be supported by a specific 1 year plan that would set out the details of the projects that would contribute to the delivery of the priorities and their supporting performance indicators.

RESOLVED THAT

the draft corporate strategy 2019-23 (appendix 2) be endorsed ahead of it going to Council for final approval.