Agenda item

Pre-Scrutiny of the Corporate Plan Framework

Summary:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Plan 2019 – 2023 – This report sets out the Corporate Plan Framework for each workstream area and identifies a number of higher level priorities and activities from which more detailed plans, projects and actions will be developed and set out in the next phase of the development of the Corporate Plan.

Conclusions:

 

Members are asked to note the work undertaken by the Policy Workstream Leads in setting out the higher level priorities and activities for each workstream theme which have been agreed in principle by Cabinet.

 

The next step is for more detailed plans, projects and actions to be developed from these higher level priorities and activities to form the action plan and delivery plan, which will be reviewed on an annual basis.

 

Recommendations:

 

 

 

Reasons for

Recommendations:

 

For Overview & Scrutiny Committee to consider the most appropriate way to consider the Corporate Plan and to feed back to Cabinet on the 4 November

 

To update Members on the Development on the Corporate Plan

 

LIST OF BACKGROUND PAPERS AS REQUIRED BY LAW

(Papers relied on to write the report, which do not contain exempt information and which are not published elsewhere)

 

Cabinet Member(s)

All

Ward(s) affected

All

 

 

Contact Officer, telephone number and email:

Linda McElligot

01263 516242

Lynda.Mcelligott@north-norfolk.gov.uk

 

Minutes:

The Major Projects Manager introduced the Report and informed Members that he and the other Work Stream Leaders in attendance had worked with SROs and Cabinet sponsors to form the high level framework of the plan, which stemmed from the administrations six key priorities. He explained that the Corporate Plan provided an outline of the Council’s aspirations for the next four years and beyond, under which delivery and action plans could be set in place to implement projects.

 

Questions and Discussion

 

The Major Projects Manager identified the six key themes of the Corporate Plan as; affordable housing, boosting business growth, customer focus, environment, financial sustainability and quality of life. It was explained that underneath these six key themes, underlying challenges had been identified, with responses and areas for action, which Cabinet had chosen to share with Members for consultation. As a result, the Committee was required to determine how to proceed, in order to provide adequate scrutiny and positive input to the existing framework. The Major Projects Manager stated that there was still work to do, but this was the first step, and whilst the Work Stream Leaders were not certain of their requirements, they were happy to continue their involvement, if capacity allowed.

 

The Chairman stated for those new to the formulation of a Corporate Plan, that it was essential to stress the importance of the document as the foundation of all of the Council’s work going forward within the term. He added that the Plan would be underpinned by documents such as the Local Plan and Medium Term Financial Plan, and it was crucial therefore, that Members understood how it would feed into these. The Chairman stated that with the purpose of the Corporate Plan explained, it was for the Committee to decide how best to proceed, though it was clear that a structured approach with sufficient time to undertake a full review was a necessity. The Chairman therefore proposed that a review day be held in early October in order to undertake a focused review of the existing Draft Corporate Plan Framework. It was stressed that the review would need to stay at a strategic high-level approach to avoid discussing action or delivery plans, that would come at a later stage. The date of the review was stressed as equally important, as it would need to allow time for Members and groups to review the existing framework to formulate questions and have these answered by the Work Stream Leaders, SROs and Cabinet sponsors prior to the meeting.

 

Cllr A Brown asked whether the review process could take place at Full Council or an additional O&S meeting. Cllr S Bütikofer stated that she wanted all Members to be involved and expressed support for a one day O&S review, but warned that due to time constraints, it would need to take place early in October to meet the November deadline. The Corporate Director (SB) clarified for Members that the intention was for the final version of the Corporate Plan to be approved by Council on 20th November, having been to Cabinet on 4th November. Clarification was then given that group discussion of the existing Draft Corporate Plan Framework would not be arranged as a formal process, though groups were welcome to discuss the document amongst themselves to formulate questions.

 

The 8th October was suggested as a potential date, though it was accepted that the Council Leader’s attendance would be crucial, and that a date would need to be agreed outside of the meeting.

 

Cllr W Fredericks thanked all involved in bringing the Draft Corporate Plan Framework to its current stage, and expressed support for a review day. Cllr N Pearce reiterated the thanks and stated that the decision to involve all Members and a range of Officers was a radical overturn and new approach that he was pleased to see.

 

The Major Projects Manager asked what resources would be available for the Work Stream Leaders to continue their involvement in the development of the Plan. Cllr S Bütikofer replied that she would discuss the issue with the Corporate Directors, as she was aware that normal work must continue for the Work Stream Leaders.

 

Cllr N Housden asked if there was any briefing document available to explain how the current challenges, responses, and areas for action had been identified. Cllr S Bütikofer replied it may be possible to offer explanations prior to the meeting, and added that she would be happy to meet with Members to discuss this. The Chairman asked if the Work Stream Leaders had any notes available that could be shared. For clarification, Cllr S Bütikofer informed Members that the basis of the Corporate Plan had been set by the manifesto pledges on which they had been elected. The Corporate Director (SB) added that the Corporate Plan put in place a strategy for the next four years, and whilst he hoped there was general consensus around the key themes and underlying principles, it was not yet a finished piece of work. Cllr N Housden replied that he was not looking for great detail, but wanted as much supporting information as possible prior to the review. The Chairman replied that Q&A completed before the review would also inform debate on the day. The Democratic Services and Governance Officer (Scrutiny) explained for Members that had not been involved in scrutiny reviews of this kind, that questions from Members would be submitted to the Work Stream Leaders, SROs and Cabinet sponsors in advance of the meeting, for answers to be provided to begin the review from an informed position.

 

The Major Projects Manager accepted that due to the size of the document, presentation was difficult, but noted that options were being considered to improve this.

 

Cllr S Bütikofer stated that it was important for Members to understand that this level of consultation had not been undertaken before at the Council, and that the aim of allowing further consultation, was to ensure that the challenges and areas for action identified were correct. Cllr V Gay added this approach worked well in connection with the Local Plan, and Members could check whether the documents complimented one another. The Chairman agreed and stated that this would be a good approach that could identify gaps.

 

Cllr J Toye stated that there was no heading for joining up the key themes, and suggested that there were clear links between each of the themes that needed to be recognised. The Corporate Director (SB) replied that the graphic representation had been a choice, and that other options could be considered to better represent the link between each theme.

 

Cllr J Rest stated that the 8th October only allowed a relatively short timescale for questions to be formulated, to which the Corporate Director (SB) replied that officers would require at least five working days to respond to the questions and a balance had to be found. The Chairman added that if questions were missed in advance of the review, this would not preclude them from being asked on the day. Cllr N Housden stated that he felt the review was a brilliant idea and asked for clarification on which sections were open to questioning. The Corporate Director (SB) replied that questions could be asked of the entire framework, though the six key themes were set by the electoral manifesto of the administration and would not be changed. Cllr N Pearce stated that he was positive about the approach, but asked if a timeline or framework could be set to avoid slowing down the process. Cllr A Brown added that a timeline and plan for the review would be helpful in advance of the meeting. It was confirmed that once dates had been agreed, a briefing paper would be circulated amongst Members that would clarify this information, followed by a detailed agenda once the prerequisite Q&A had been completed.

 

A half day review of the Draft Corporate Plan Framework was proposed by Cllr N Housden and seconded by Cllr N Pearce.

 

RESOLVED

 

That a half day review of the Draft Corporate Plan Framework takes place in October, date to be confirmed.

Supporting documents: