Issue - meetings

This paper presents the County Council’s proposed approach to the development of a refreshed, five-year Council Plan for 2022 - 26.

Cabinet Portfolio Holders – Councillors Izzi Seccombe and Andy Jenns

Councillor Izzi Seccombe (Leader of the Council and Chair of Cabinet) opened this item by stating that it is a basic principle that a new administration reviews the council plan, making sure that it is ready to take the council forward. The council has two priorities based around looking after the most vulnerable and securing a vibrant and growing economy. For these to be realised it will be necessary to ensure that the county is assisted in its recovery from the Pandemic. A major feature of any new plan will be climate change the council having signed up to the climate emergency in July 2019.

Councillor Andy Jenns (Portfolio Holder for Customer and Transformation) stated that the new plan will be strategic in nature and will cover a five-year period. It will be supported by a delivery plan that will be reviewed annually. The new plan will incorporate the Covid-19 Recovery Plan and will be enhanced by the use of a revised performance management framework. In developing the plan, the public, partners, staff and members will all have an opportunity to provide input.

Cabinet was informed that it is expected that the new plan and the MTFS will be reported to Cabinet in December.

Councillor Jerry Roodhouse (Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group) welcomed the proposal for cross party working on the plan. There is need to work at a fast pace he added. Referencing paragraph 3.7 of the report Councillor Jerry Roodhouse welcomed the reference to a golden thread adding that it will be necessary to track performance from the plan to action on the ground and back again. Referencing the “Voice of Warwickshire” it was noted that representation should come from across the whole county. Finally, it was suggested that climate change should be referenced when considering environmental issues in reports.

Councillor Heather Timms (Portfolio Holder for Environment, Climate and Culture) welcomed references to climate change. Since 2019 the council has been working hard on climate change initiatives and had recently signed up to UK100.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

1)       Approves the continuation of the Council’s Vison with refinement of our existing priority outcomes and addition of a third outcome related to Climate Change (paragraph 3.4)  

2)       Approves the approach to the development of the Council Plan 2022-26 and the design principles set out in paragraph 3.7 and authorises the Chief Executive to progress development of the Council Plan on this basis

3)       Recommends that the Overview and Scrutiny Committees programme consideration of the emerging Council Plan into their Autumn work programmes

4)       Authorises the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Customer and Transformation to finalise the arrangements for engagement in relation to the Council Plan

5)       Supports the ongoing work in relation to Integrated Planning underpinning the Council Plan

6)       Approves the establishment of a cross party member working group to develop proposals for a refreshed Performance Management Framework