Agenda item

Revised Corporate Plan 2020/21.

Minutes:

The Leader moved the item, noting the unprecedented effect that the Covid19 pandemic has had on the Council and the District. In acknowledging the impact on the Council’s finances, he noted that the overriding emphasis of the revised Corporate Plan is on refocusing the Council’s activities on recovery and continued support for the effects of the crisis on Mid Sussex’s communities.  In moving the item he drew Members attention to some specific areas of the plan including economic recovery, the Council’s support to the community response to the pandemic and the need to provide effective and responses services. He also noted the proposed governance review commissioned to ensure that governance is appropriate, efficient and value for money.  In closing, he thanked the Scrutiny Committee for Leader, Finance and Performance who considered the revised Corporate Plan at a meeting in August.

 

Councillor Knight seconded the item noting that there had been robust, comprehensive debate at both the Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet where it was voted for unanimously.

 

Members welcomed the revised plan and discussed the ways in which the Council is committed to supporting economic recovery, with plans such as the Burgess Hill Growth Programme and the Haywards Heath Master Plan.

 

Discussion was held on the support that the Government has provided to Councils, and the proposed merging of the Sustainability and Economic Strategy. A Member queried why the specific reserve for environment and sustainability was not referenced in the document and hoped that sustainability will be at the forefront of the next budget on 2021. A Member also sought to ensure that the Sustainability Action Plan is delivered, with details provided to a future Scrutiny Committee. The Leader confirmed that during the pandemic, the Government has provided financial support to the Council and to local businesses. He also noted that the specific sustainability reserve agreed earlier in the year is unaffected and the merge of the economic and sustainability strategy will allow the Council to focus on green recovery and support to the economy.

 

A Member sought clarity on the wording in relation to the Council’s commitment to respond to requests from developers for amendment to S106 agreements.  It was clarified that responses will be proactive and timely, and requests will be scrutinised to ensure they are in the interest of residents and facilitates developments that the Council has permitted. It was also clarified that this was a Government request to local Councils.

 

The Chairman took Members to a vote on the recommendations which were approved. For: 33, Against: 4. 13 Members abstained.

 

RESOLVED

 

Council considered and agreed:

(i) The Recovery Plans outlined in Appendices A to C;

(ii) The advice and suggested changes to the Council’s financial strategy and Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) outlined in Appendix D, specifically the use of reserves and revenue savings to help deal with the impact of the crisis and asks officers to review the level of these aspects and report to the 2021/22 Corporate Plan and Budget process

(iii) The proposed Governance Review (Appendix E) and its overarching principles;

(iv) The advice about the Council’s Corporate Priority Projects (CCPs) in Appendix F; and

(v) The performance of the Council during the first quarter of this year (Appendix G) and proposed changes to performance indicators as outlined in Appendix H.

 

 

The Chairman confirmed a change of order in which item 9 and 10 of the agenda will be covered.

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