Issue - meetings

Report of the Leader of the Council

The Leader of the Council introduced the Corporate Strategy 2013/14 action plan, the fourth annual action plan of the five year strategy.  He thanked all officers involved.

He reported that the action plan included measures and performance targets and actions from County and Cheltenham partnership discussions. Resourcing issues would be kept under review. The action plan had been submitted to Overview and Scrutiny whose comments included bringing the draft action plan to the December meeting of O&S to review the priorities for the plan and identify any gaps. The Leader suggested that it would be more appropriate to bring the draft to the budget scrutiny working group to assess whether the targets were achievable within the resources available as this was more of a continuous process.

The Leader acknowledged that it was an ambitious and challenging plan but it was important that, despite the economic climate, the council moved forward. He highlighted the key projects of carbon reduction, commissioning and the provision of affordable housing. In addition he referred to the redevelopment of the Art Gallery and Museum and North Place and Portland Street Car Parks which were vital for the economic growth of the town.

Councillor Garnham, took the opportunity to thank Councillor Teakle for her work as Councillor on behalf of the Conservative party. He asked the Leader of the Council what sanctions were in place should Ubico fail to meet its targets. In response the Leader explained that it was very much about partnership working and communication was key. A service level agreement existed and regular meetings were held between the council and Ubico.

When asked about the target relating to increasing the number of VCS organisations supported by GAVCA and the danger that the more organisations reliant on GAVCA it could potentially weaken them, the Leader explained that this target related to the use of the training and other facilities of GAVCA as opposed to granting funding to more groups. Clarification was also sought as to the increase in the target for the percentage of identified “troubled families” who no longer met the criteria. The Leader explained that this concerned the Inspiring Families project and was an interpretation of national requirements.

In response to a question the Leader also confirmed that the GO user satisfaction survey was no longer intended to take place.

Upon a vote the recommendations were agreed (there was 1 abstention from a member who had arrived late).

RESOLVED that the 2013-14 corporate strategy action plan (Appendix A) be approved and used as a basis for monitoring the council’s performance over the next twelve months.

Report of the Leader

RESOLVED that

the draft corporate strategy action plan be endorsed for 2013-14 ahead of it going to full council for final approval (appendix A.)

The Leader of the Council explained that the Corporate Strategy would be submitted to Council on 25 March. It represented the fourth year of actions from a five year plan. It included measures and performance targets and actions from partnership discussions. Further discussions were needed on resourcing. The action plan had been submitted to Overview and Scrutiny whose comments included bringing the draft action plan to the December meeting of O&S to review the priorities for the plan and identify any gaps. The Leader suggested that it would be more appropriate to bring the draft to the budget working group to assess whether the targets were achievable within the resources available as this was more of a continuous process.

RESOLVED that

the draft corporate strategy action plan be endorsed for 2013-14 ahead of it going to full council for final approval (appendix A.)