Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Corporate Policy and Resources.

RESOLVED – that the Executive:

(i)               Agrees the Reigate & Banstead 2025 Annual Report for 2022/23 for publication.

(ii)             Agrees the Equality Objectives Progress Report for 2022/23 for publication.

(iii)           Agrees the continuation of the Council’s current Equality Objectives to 2025.

Councillor J King, Executive Member for Corporate Policy and Resources explained that this report was the annual report on the Council’s progress in delivering the Corporate Plan. It also included an update on delivery of the Council’s Equality Objectives. Both reports covered the year from April 2022 to March 2023.

The Corporate Plan Annual Report was at Annex 1 to the report and included updates on the work undertaken by services across the Council. Successes worth highlighting included:

·        The delivery of new affordable homes and a range of support for vulnerable residents including those facing cost of living issues;

·        Ongoing place delivery projects to deliver improvements in Redhill, Horley and Merstham, more benefits secured via the Community Infrastructure Levy and continuing provision of very high quality neighbourhood services; and

·       Positive outcomes from the first year of the financial sustainability programme and progress on securing more income from fees and charges and the Council’s commercial lettings.

The report also sets out some of the challenges faced over the past year. These have included the impact of the rising cost of living on residents (and therefore council services), and a continuing need to do more with less given the financial challenges facing the local government sector.  It also included a range of contextual indicators, which provided some background about the environment in which the Council has operated and the situation within the borough.

Annex 2 to the report highlighted the Council’s four agreed equality objectives. Information was provided about the work that has been undertaken in 2022/23, to progress each of the objectives. This ranges from the use of data though to supporting good community relations and making sure that the Council was a fair employer.

The Council’s current Equality Objectives covered the period 2020 to 2024. The report recommended that the objectives be continued for an additional year, so that they and the Corporate Plan can be reviewed at the same time, allowing future work on both to be fully aligned and coordinated.

The reports highlighted the wide range of excellent work being done by this organisation to support residents, in sometimes challenging times.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered these reports at their meeting on 6 July 2023, and a made a number of observations for Executive Members to consider.

An Addendum with the draft minutes were circulated prior to the meeting and covered the following points:

·       Drawing on a range of data sources to inform the annual reporting process. Committee members expressed an interest in enhancing this supporting data in future, potentially through a residents’ survey.

·       The importance of working with partners to provide a joined up services to residents and a coordinated response to any concerns.

·       Ensuring that the report’s structure supports Members to effectively consider the work of the Council, including around reporting on outcomes and future plans and responses to changing circumstances.

·       The Council being ambitious in considering equality matters, including wider aspects that may sit outside legally set ‘protected characteristics.

It was noted that, a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16

To receive an annual performance report on the Corporate Plan 2020-25 and consider progress during 2022/23.

RECOMMENDED that Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

i. Notes the Reigate & Banstead 2025 Annual Report for 2022/23 and makes any observations for consideration by the Executive.

ii. Notes the Equality Objectives Progress Report for 2022/23 and makes any observations for consideration by the Executive.

Councillor James King, the Executive Member for Corporate Policy & Resources introduced the Reigate & Banstead 2025 Annual Report 2022/23.

This report is the annual report on the Council's progress in delivering the Corporate Plan. It also includes an update on delivery of the Council’s equality objectives. Both reports cover the year from April 2022 to March 2023.

Information is provided on the work undertaken by services across the Council and how it has contributed to delivery of the Corporate Plan priorities across the three corporate themes of People, Place and Organisation. This includes the delivery of new affordable homes and a range of support for vulnerable residents, including those facing cost of living issues; ongoing place delivery projects to deliver improvements in Redhill, Horley and Merstham; benefits secured via the Community Infrastructure Levy and continuing provision of very high quality neighbourhood services; positive outcomes from the first year of the Financial Sustainability Programme and progress in securing more income from fees and charges and the Council’s commercial lettings.

The report also sets out some of the challenges faced over the past year; these have included the impact of the rising cost of living on residents and therefore Council services, and a continuing need to do more with less, given the financial challenges facing the local government sector.

Updates are also included on the commitments set out in the Corporate Plan; these principles apply right across all the work that the Council carries out.

A range of contextual indicators are reported, which provide some background about the environment in which the Council operates and the situation within the borough.

Annex 2 reports on the Council’s Equality Objectives; information is provided about the work that has been undertaken in 2022/23 to progress each of the objectives, ranging from the use of data through to supporting good community relations and making sure that the Council is a fair employer. The report also includes a look at how the Council will continue to progress towards these objectives in the future.

The Council's current Equality Objectives cover the period 2020 to 2024; the report recommends that the objectives be continued for one additional year so that they and the Corporate Plan can be reviewed on the same timing. This will allow future work on both to be fully aligned and coordinated.

The Executive Member for Corporate Policy and Resources invited any comments or questions from O&S members.

The following clarifications were provided:

Objectives – People - Housing

It was confirmed that residents in the Council’s new affordable homes at Wheatley Court would be eligible to buy under the Right to Buy Scheme.

Residents’ Survey

There was some discussion over the potential to carry out a borough wide residents’ survey. It was confirmed that while a borough wide residents’ survey had not been carried out, specific surveys had been undertaken and a range of data collated by the Data Insight Team was in use. There was a wealth of potentially new and different ways to collect  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18