Issue - meetings

This report outlines the content of the Council Plan 2022.  Council is asked to approve the Plan and supporting State of Warwickshire evidence base.

Councillor Isobel Seccombe moved the motion and presented the Council Plan which built on the draft version presented to Cabinet in December.  She noted that the style and presentation of the plan had been developed to ensure the final, adopted version was publicly engaging and provided clarity on the priorities and actions of the Council going forward. This included more clearly setting out the Council’s ambitions for Warwickshire, along with the three strategic priorities and seven areas of focus on page 5 of the plan.  The Plan, which would be a working document, provided the principles for budget setting and service delivery.   Councillor Seccombe also reflected on the State of Warwickshire report and her pride in the Council’s achievements in the previous two years to support vulnerable residents and build a community that was responsive to those in need.  She also welcomed the introduction of the Warwickshire Recovery and Investment Fund to support the business sector.

Councillor Andy Jenns welcomed the plan and noted the wide consultation that had taken place with the public, partners, staff and trade unions. 

Councillor Bill Gifford welcomed the Plan.  He stated that residents were frustrated at the delays in Leamington (‘Leamington Closed for Business’) caused by the Rail and Utility companies being given the maximum time not the minimum time to complete their works, in contrast to the approach of the County Council.  He considered that the Council should share best practice with partners.  He also commented that the Council could communicate bad news better not just good news.

Councillor Jerry Roodhouse noted the strategies hyperlinked within the Plan but considered that there were more that could be included.  He reflected upon emerging themes and data regarding exploitation of children and adults and expressed the view that this could have been reflected further across the priorities.

Councillor Jeff Morgan reflected on the position with regard to education in Warwickshire, which was generally good, but expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of Nuneaton Academy which created a gap in the excellent provision across Warwickshire and the impact that this had on children in the area. 

Councillor Will Roberts noted the objectives in the Plan to tackle the climate emergency but did not feel that the aims of 2030 and 2050 made for a sufficient priority, particularly when compared with the West Midlands.  His view that there was not enough emphasis on the climate emergency in the Plan and he, therefore, could not support it.

Councillor John Holland expressed some reservations about the Plan, particularly noting the impact of the Levelling Up agenda and the different priorities across the north and south of the county and urged that steps be taken to provide for local decision making to support local needs and delivery.

Councillor Kam Kaur expressed pride in the Plan and thanked the officers involved in its creation.  She considered that the Plan set out the Council’s ambitions, underpinned by the MTFS, and she noted the host of individuals whose views had played an important role  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2

This report seeks Cabinet endorsement of the Council Plan prior to its submission to Council for approval.

Porfolio Holders – Councillors Isobel Seccombe and Andy Jenns

Councillor Isobel Seccombe (Leader of Council and Chair of Cabinet) explained to the meeting that the Council Plan presented to the meeting built on the draft version presented to Cabinet in December.  She advised that the document underpinned the medium term financial strategy and its style and presentation had been developed to ensure the final, adopted version was more engaging and provided clarity on the ambitions of the Council going forward.  She drew attention to the three strategic priorities and seven areas of focus set out on page 5 of the plan.

Councillor Andy Jenns welcomed the Plan, applauding its style and structure.  He noted that it was a strategic document which would be underpinned by a delivery plan that would more clearly define the actions to achieve the priorities set out.

Councillor Jerry Roodhouse also welcomed the Plan and noted its use as a strategic document.  However, he considered that there were a number of strategies which had recently been refreshed (eg the Domestic Violence strategy and Heritage and Culture Strategy) that underpinned its aims and ambitions and he suggested that these should be identified within the Plan together with URLs to make them easy to locate.

Councillor Seccombe noted that efforts had been made to ensure the Council Plan was a concise document.  She advised that the Council’s strategic framework was due to be refreshed from 1 April 2022, and whilst there were many strategies within the framework, she agreed that it would be helpful for them to be identified and made more easily locatable. 

Resolved:

That Cabinet

1.     Approves the Council Plan and supporting State of Warwickshire evidence base for submission to Full Council in February 2022.

2.     Authorises the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader to make such minor amendments to the Council Plan as she considers necessary in advance of it being presented to Full Council for approval