Agenda item

The Chief Executive introduced the draft Corporate Plan, the supporting thematic business plans, and the new internal governance arrangements, explaining that Members were invited to offer comment on the presented documents.

He outlined the context for the review, noting recommendations from the Local Government Association’s corporate peer challenge, recent organisational and political leadership changes, and wider uncertainty linked to local government reorganisation. Regular review of the Corporate Plan was highlighted as essential to maintaining a clear strategic direction.

Members of the Committee were informed that the Corporate Plan focused on three core areas: delivering good quality local services, ensuring the Council operated as a well?managed and trusted authority, and enhancing places and outcomes for residents and businesses. These were reflected in an overarching vision and the refreshed themes of thriving people, thriving place, and thriving Council. Updated organisational values and behaviours, aligned with the new workforce plan, were incorporated into the document.

The Chief Executive explained that the previous Executive Business Plan had been replaced with thematic business plans to give clearer alignment to the Corporate Plan. These plans would be considered by the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee on 12 February 2026 before submission to Full Council on 2 March 2026, alongside the budget.

He reported that internal governance arrangements had been streamlined in response to the peer challenge, with three strategic delivery panels established to coordinate delivery of the plan. Performance against the thematic business plans would be reported quarterly to Policy Committees, with the Overview and Scrutiny Committee able to examine issues in more detail. Work was ongoing to introduce Member representation on the delivery panels to provide political oversight.

Committee Members were advised that the thematic plans continued to be refined and that updated versions would be presented to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee, reflecting comments raised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

A Member of the Committee raised comments regarding the proposed governance boards, noting that previous arrangements had sometimes resulted in duplication between Member and Officer groups. The Member welcomed the introduction of a lead Member role within each panel, suggesting that this could improve coordination and reduce unnecessary meetings. It was further proposed that lead Members might report annually to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to enhance wider Member involvement in scrutiny. The Member also queried the method for appointing lead Members and suggested that broader political representation could strengthen accountability.

The Chairman highlighted the positive working relationships between Councillors and Officers and emphasised the value of collaborative working across the organisation. He referred to the need for effective scrutiny alongside constructive engagement. The Chairman also raised concerns relating to the future of local government reorganisation and the potential implications for local planning control, noting the importance of maintaining an up?to?date local plan to safeguard the district’s interests. He expressed support for the Corporate Plan as a forward?looking document already demonstrating evidence of delivery.

A Member of the Committee commented on the clarity and presentation of the draft Corporate Plan and asked whether District Councillors could be included within the section relating to collaborative working with Parish and Town Councils, noting their role as connectors within communities.

The Chief Executive welcomed the positive feedback and confirmed that strengthening relationships with Parish and Town Councils was an important area of work, particularly in the context of potential local government reorganisation. He noted that further development of those structures was planned and agreed that District Councillors played a key part in local engagement.

The Chief Executive also responded to earlier points raised during the debate, highlighting that quarterly performance reporting against the thematic business plans would ensure regular Member oversight. Work was ongoing to determine how lead Member roles would align with the new governance arrangements once the Corporate Plan and budget had been approved. He emphasised the importance of continued collaboration between Members and Officers and outlined the move towards more agile internal structures, replacing multiple previous boards with three strategic delivery panels supplemented by task?specific groups as required.

It was noted that the Corporate Plan covered the period 2026–2030 but that delivery would need to be considered in the context of potential local government reorganisation. Committee Members were assured that priorities and deliverables were being reviewed with this in mind.

With no further comments or questions, it was

RESOLVED that

a)    Members had reviewed and commented on the draft Corporate Plan ‘Our West Lindsey, Our Future’, which covered the period 2026 – 2030 as set out in Appendix 1.

b)    Members had reviewed and commented on the three draft Thematic Business Plans covering the Corporate Plan themes of ‘Thriving People’ (Appendix 2), ‘Thriving Places’ (Appendix 3) and ‘Thriving Council’ (Appendix 4)

c)    Members had noted the new governance arrangements as outlined in para. 5 of the report which ensured effective and efficient delivery of the council’s priorities.