Agenda item

Councillor Bierley, Chair of Corporate Policy and Resources Committee, introduced the report and in doing so explained that  approval was being sought for a new Corporate Plan covering the period 2026 to 2030 and the corresponding thematic business plans which set out how the council intended to deliver the plan in the coming years.

He highlighted the background to the Plans development noting that in January 2025, the Council had participated in a Local Government Association Corporate Peer Challenge which had  recommended that the Council refreshes its Corporate Plan and business planning arrangements to ensure the Administration’s priorities were clearly reflected in both strategy and delivery.

Additionally, the Government’s announcement on Local Government Reorganisation, and new political and officer leadership for the Council had provided an appropriate opportunity for a review and refresh of strategic priorities and delivery arrangements, building on already strong foundations.

The new Corporate Plan focused on the delivery of well-managed, forward-thinking local government services that were grounded in good governance and committed to enhancing our places and improving the lives of people across the District. 

To ensure effective and focused delivery of the Corporate Plan, Corporate Policy and Resources Committee had been advised  of  new internal governance arrangements that have been developed, and which were set out clearly in the report before Members.

Importantly, work to develop the Corporate Plan had been closely linked to development of the latest Budget and Medium-Term Financial Plan, ensuring the Corporate Plan was appropriately financed and resourced and had  enabled a balanced budget to be presented to Council for consideration later in the evening.

Councillor Bierley thanked Officers for their work and collaboration over recent months to produce a Corporate Plan and delivery programme before moving the recommendations. 

The Leader of the Council, seconded the recommendations and addressed the Council on behalf of the Administration, indicating she believed the Plan was strong and ambitious and clearly set out not only the priorities of the new Administration, but also the key principles, values and behaviours that would guide working together to deliver in the years ahead.

Referring to  the 10 Point Plan, the Leader had previously  presented to Full Council which had set out a clear commitment from the new Administration to embed a new way of working, reflecting on the recommendations of the Peer Challenge;  she believed the new Corporate Plan delivered on that commitment.

The Plan aimed to deliver for the whole of the district, in the best interests of the residents. Working closely with local communities, introducing initiatives to reduce deprivation, supporting the delivery of key strategic programmes such as STEP Fusion and the redevelopment of RAF Scampton were key priorities.

Engaging with employers to create new opportunities and remove barriers to local employment, delivering the Pride in Place programme, supporting and working with parish and town councils and working with the Greater Lincolnshire Mayor to drive economic regeneration across the region were also key.

Councillor Brockway fully endorsed the Corporate Plan and seconded the recommendations.

The Deputy Leader  addressed the Chamber and spoke of how the Plan would enable over the next  years, projects which could be delivered at the very heart of communities, aimed at addressing the issues of social isolation and lack of youth provision, particularly within our rural areas.  The Plan aimed to ensure the Council worked closely with its communities to identify and provide the infrastructure required for them to develop and thrive into the future.  She commended the draft Plan and the work undertaken in its development.

Opposition Members did not support the proposals. The considerable work undertaken by Officers was recognised, however it was considered that the plan lacked ambition, a clear direction and represented a missed opportunity to deliver meaningful results in the last couple of years as a district council. It was questioned whether it would make a difference for people living across the district. The forthcoming peer challenge was highlighted and it was suggested that the proposals were rushed and did not give a strong base once Local Government Reorganisation was resolved.

In response it was emphasised that the Corporate Plan was a strategic document and delivery of the aims would follow. Specifics were highlighted to counter the points made by the Opposition. Furthermore it was suggested  that Local Government Reorganisation was still unclear and as such it was important to continue with priorities for the District.

Some Opposition Members suggested there should be more focus on addressing the 24.4 % economic inactivity in the district, which was higher than the national average, and to address the issues faced by 19.6 % of children who were living in poverty.

Having been proposed and seconded, on being put to the vote it was:

RESOLVED that:

(a)    the Council’s Corporate Plan for 2026-2030, ‘Our West Lindsey, Our Future’,  (Appendix 1) be adopted;

(b)    the three corresponding Thematic Business Plans, which set out key deliverables and key performance indicators assigned to each Corporate Plan theme (Appendices 2 – 4) be approved;

(c)    the Corporate Plan and Thematic Business Plans be subject to annual review and approval by Council alongside the annual budget and Medium-Term Financial Plan each year; and 

(d)    the new governance arrangements as outlined in para. 5 of the report, which ensure effective and efficient delivery of the council’s priorities be noted.

Note:       Councillors Dobbie, Young, Rollings and Howitt-Cowan requested that their vote against the above decisions be recorded in the minutes.