Issue - meetings

Report of the Interim Chief Executive attached.  

The Panel considered a report of the Interim Chief Executive which outlined the Council’s draft refreshed Corporate Strategy for 2020/21- 22/23 and sought feedback from on the proposed projects and performance measures.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the operation and requirements of the council was acknowledged and it was felt appropriate to review the Corporate Strategy to reflect these changes.

Members queried what tangible difference residents would see from this document and were advised that focus would be placed on green spaces, homes for all and a fair council.

The need for plain English in the Corporate Strategy was reiterated by the Panel with members particularly querying the use of terms such as exemplary, empowerment, community wealth building, and social value. Assurances were given that the corporate jargon in the Strategy would be reviewed in the final document, following the request of the Panel.

In response to queries regarding confidence in the delivery of the new Corporate Strategy projects, members were informed that the process would be undertaken with the utmost transparency and that additional resources may be required for individual projects.

Members questioned if the projects and outcomes identified in the refreshed Corporate Strategy were SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timebound) and were pleased to note that this would be monitored on a regular basis. 

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That

1.    the Panel thanks the Leader and Interim Chief Executive for engaging the Panel with this important document

2.    the Panel requests that the Strategy be reviewed to ensure it is in plain English

3.    the Panel welcomes the new refreshed Corporate Strategy

4.    the Panel welcomes the reassurance that the Strategy will be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timebound) and will link to the next budget process.