Decision

RESOLVED

That the Executive:

a)        Noted the purpose and importance of the Corporate Plan and the suggestion that a more user-friendly name is used when communicating the plan with the wider public.

b)        Approved the key stages, activities and indicative milestones for development of the Corporate Plan through to its formal adoption at Full Council as set out in the report.

Reasons for Recommendations:

·                The Council has a requirement to have a Corporate Plan that has been formally adopted by Full Council, setting out its aims, ambitions and priorities for the future.

·                The stages, activities and indicative milestones set out in the report provide a time-efficient route to adopting a Corporate Plan, at the same time, allowing sufficient time for public engagement, consultation and cross-party policy development and scrutiny.

Alternative Options Considered:

·                The Executive could have chosen not to have a Corporate Plan or document of a similar purpose. This is not considered a viable option. The requirement for a Corporate Plan is set out in the Council’s constitution. Not having one would leave a vacuum in terms of strategy and policy at an overarching level. This would not sufficiently support the Council’s decision-making arrangements, particularly when weighing up strategic options. This would leave the Council in a less resilient position to withstand external challenge when making key decisions.

·                The Executive could have chosen not to update its Corporate Plan, continuing with the Corporate Plan of the previous Administration. This is not considered a viable option. The Corporate Plan for 2021-2025 reflects the priorities of the Council’s previous administration. Although the plan received cross-party support when adopted, it is widely accepted that the council and the environment within which is operates has moved on since 2021. A fresh Corporate Plan provides the new administration with the opportunity to set out its policies, in close consultation with members from across the political parties and wider stakeholders, and to further build on the foundations put in place by the Council’s previous administration.