The Council Plan is a key document that outlines the Council’s overall strategic objectives as a Local Authority over a four-year period and identifies our key priorities. A draft Council Plan was approved for consultation at Executive in October. This paper outlines the results of this consultation and is the first of several key strategic documents presented to this Executive Committee including the future financial strategy, the Equality Plan, the Procurement Strategy and the Council Workforce strategy.

The report of the Chief Executive (Document “CQ”) provides a final version of the Council Plan and Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) for approval (included as Appendices 1 and 2). This has been amended following an external consultation on the Council Plan, a summary of this consultation can be found in Appendix 3.  

As per the Council’s Constitution, the Council Plan is a key Council document. Following Executive’s approval, it will need to be approved and recommended to Council for adoption. 

Recommended -

(1)               That the draft Council Plan set out in Appendix 1 to Document “CQ”and draft KPI’s and targets in Appendix 2 be approved.

(2)          That following approval, the draft Council Plan and the draft KPI’s be presented to Full Council for full adoption.

(Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Committee)

(Philip Witcherley – 01274 431241)

The Council Plan was a key document that outlined the Council’s overall strategic objectives as a Local Authority over a four-year period and identified the Council’s  key priorities. A draft Council Plan was approved for consultation at Executive in October. The report of the Chief Executive (Document “CQ”) outlined the results of this consultation and was the first of several key strategic documents presented to this meeting of the Executive including the future financial strategy, the Equality Plan, the Procurement Strategy and the Council Workforce strategy.

The report provided a final version of the Council Plan and Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) for approval (included as Appendices 1 and 2). This had been amended following an external consultation on the Council Plan, a summary of this consultation can be found in Appendix 3.  

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the Council Plan was a key Council document and following Executive’s approval, it would require to be approved and recommended to Council for adoption. 

The Leader noted that the Council plan set out the Council’s strategic objectives for 2021- 2025 of better lives, a better start in life, better educational outcomes and a regeneration programme.  She emphasised the need to ensure that the workforce was developed to face the challenges ahead.

The Chief Executive noted that this was a key document that set an overarching framework in which budget proposals were developed the main one of which was to create prosperity in the district.  She noted that the Covid19 pandemic had a deep impact and outlined the 6 priorities for rebuilding prosperity and wellbeing.  She stressed that the priorities were cross cutting and were designed to tackle structural disadvantage and discrimination.  The plan was about working in partnership and intervening at as early a stage as possible.  The plan had undergone extensive consultation.  It as noted that the corporate delivery plans would be reported to the Executive.

The Leader stressed that regardless of the challenges faced, there was still huge ambition for the district to create jobs and opportunities.  She referred to the climate emergency and the ambition for net zero carbon target by 2038 and the opportunity to create now green jobs and opportunities.

The Leader of the Opposition group supported the addition of sections on young people’s experience outside education and recognising other areas of the wider district.  She was disappointed at the low percentage of responses from the focus groups and the survey.  In response to her questions the Chief Executive noted that a full report would be made when the current plan ended April 2021.  That the Keighley and Shipley towns fund would have a knock on effect in other areas.  That the plan had been developed by staff in every part of the Council and there was no disappointment with the level of staff feedback.  That the plan would be subject to consultation with partners and others.  It was noted that approximately 200 responses had been received in the consultation and staff survey and there had been 20 person focus groups and 1 staff group.  Staff over all the Council had been involved.  It was stressed that it was a living document in a rapidly changing environment .  Progress on performance against KPI’s would be reported annually.

A member asked what the role of the voice of the child would have in developing the plan other than “Young Lives”.  He also asked whether the plan focused on support for 13-18 age group as they got older, for whom Covid19 had proved a challenge in finding safe places to meet.

In response reference was made to the young Lives forum Ambassadors for Everyone and the need to ensure that more engagement was undertaken with young people.  The impact on education and employment or 13-18 year olds had been recognised in the budget and in strengthening the Youth Service and establishment of Youth Ambassadors.   

Resolved -

(1)          That the draft Council Plan set out in Appendix 1 to Document “CQ” and draft KPI’s and targets in Appendix 2 be approved.

(2)          That following approval, the draft Council Plan and the draft KPI’s be presented to Full Council for full adoption.

ACTION: Chief Executive

Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Committee