Agenda item

Members gave consideration to a report which sought approval of the Corporate Plan for the period 2019 – 2023.

The Leader of the Council presented the report and in doing so outlined how the Plan had been developed over recent months, by both Members and officers, resulting in the key priorities for the Council for the next four years being identified together with the outcomes the Council wanted to achieve.

The Plan aimed to ensure that attention was paid to all of the District’s communities, residents and businesses; to ensure lives were improved and the District prospered.

Before summarising the content of the new Corporate Plan the Leader reflected on some of the Authority’s key achievements over the last few years, during which the following points were noted: -

*        From a financial perspective the Authority had purchased five commercial properties both inside and outside of the District, these were due to provide an income of over £1m to the Council next year, meaning the Authority could continue to deliver its services and support communities such as Hemswell Cliff;

*        The introduction of charges for green waste – the last Council in Lincolnshire to do so, and the service would continue for 2019/20 with no increase in charges.

*        Regeneration of the District was taking place, with business units having been delivered in Saxilby, with a further similar development now underway in Caistor.

*        A new hotel had been built in Gainsborough and both the Roseway Car Park and the street scene had been vastly improved.

*        Having secured a development partner, options for the former Guildhall site were taking shape.

*        The Crematorium project was well underway, with a provisional opening date of early 2020.

*        The Leisure offer had been enhanced, with massively improved facilities in Gainsborough, an out-reach service taking shape and plans for facilities in Market Rasen.

*        The Council had also secured a contract to deliver the Wellbeing service, which was supporting residents to stay well and lead independent lives in their homes and communities.

*        Work had also commenced to ensure that the residents of Scampton were left with a sustainable future once the MoD depart the site.

*        The Council had actively supported Neighbourhood Plans, with 13 fully “made”and over 30 more in development.  Neighbourhood Plans were a key means by which communities could ensure they shaped and influenced future development in their area.

*        A revised, flatter senior management model had been introduced and was working extremely well.

*        The Council had continued to provide excellent services with Council Tax and Business Rate collection rates remaining high. Performance in development management and land charges had both significantly improved and the waste collection service remained highly regarded both by residents and amongst its peers nationally.

*        Investment in and a vastly improved programme of events at the Trinity Arts Centre had paid off with record numbers through its doors.

The Leader then summarised the key priorities in the new Corporate Plan namely:

•        Health & Wellbeing – to reduce health inequalities and promote wellbeing

•        To provide support for vulnerable groups & communities to create strong and self-reliant communities and promote positive life choices

•        Education & Skills – to facilitate the creation of a highly educated and skilled workforce that meets present and future needs of employers

•        To ensure economic regeneration across West Lindsey is sustainable and benefits all of our communities

•        To promote Housing Growth and bring about quality and choice in the housing market and meet demand and need for housing services

•        To focus on public safety and the environment and create a safer and cleaner district

•        As a Council, to ensure we remain financially sustainable.

•        To make sure we put the customer at the centre of everything we do and for our staff and Members; to ensure we remain well-managed and well-governed, making the right decisions and getting things done.

The Leader was of the view that by achieving these priorities during the next four years, the Council would deliver its vision for the District, that West Lindsey is a great place to be where people, businesses and communities can thrive and reach their potential. 

The Leader placed on record his thanks to both Council Members and Officers for their ambition, drive and valuable contributions before moving the recommendation.

Debate ensued and Members on the whole spoke in support of the Plan and praised the progress achieved over the last four years.  The Plan was considered aspirational ambitious and stretching but encompassed and covered all aspects of the district, all of its communities and all of it stakeholders.  Members were encouraged by the previous track record and were confident the Plan could be delivered.

Members were also supportive of the fact that the link between Well-being, appropriate housing and the environment in ensuring a good quality of life had been identified and were engrained throughout the document.

The Leader of the Opposition questioned the figure quoted by the Leader with regard to the level of income expected to be generated by the property investments over the coming year.  In response the Executive Director of Resources clarified the gross figure was circa £1m pound with the net figure being circa £500,000. 

It was suggested that the Leader was trying to mislead Council and the investments were high risk. In response the Leader advised the acquisition programme was ongoing with more than one option currently on the table.  He anticipated all of the money set aside for such investments would be invested over the coming year and the portfolio completed and therefore the income levels he had referred to, he anticipated were more than achievable.

Doubt was again expressed by the Leader of the Opposition who expressed concern that the Leader was not being held to greater account regarding the figures he had quoted and was of the view Members needed greater reassure around these types of investment.

RESOLVED that the Corporate Plan 2019-2023 be approved and its aims and objectives supported.