Issue - meetings

To consider ‘Reigate & Banstead 2025’ the Council’s Corporate Plan for the period 2020-2025.  

RECOMMENDED that:

(i)              ‘Reigate & Banstead 2025’, the Council’s corporate plan for the period 2020-2025 be adopted by Full Council.

RESOLVED that:

(i)              The consultation feedback on the proposals for ‘Reigate & Banstead 2025’ be noted.

Councillor G. Knight, Executive Member for Housing and Benefits, introduced the new corporate plan, titled ‘Reigate & Banstead 2025’. The Executive had previously endorsed the draft plan for consultation at its meeting in July 2019 (Minute ref. 29), and the final plan incorporated the outcome of that consultation, for approval.

The consideration of data and evidence, coupled with the engagement of Members and stakeholders, had informed the development of the plan, and the feedback from the consultation demonstrated support for its vision, commitments and objectives. The Overview & Scrutiny Committee had also been consulted and had supported the way in which the plan had been developed along with its overall scope.

Councillor Knight explained that the feedback from the consultation had led to   some clarifications, and the inclusion of additional wording, rather than any substantive change in direction. A new set of contextual indicators and success measures had been included, which would be reported annually.

In response to questions from Visiting Members, the Leader acknowledged the importance of the Council’s role in addressing affordable housing and climate change and concurred with Councillor Knight that the plan set a clear and appropriate focus for the Council for the next 5 years.

RECOMMENDED that ‘Reigate & Banstead 2025’, the Council’s corporate plan for the period 2020-2025 be adopted by Full Council.

RESOLVED that the consultation feedback on the proposals for ‘Reigate & Banstead 2025’ be noted.

Reason for decision: To ensure that the Council had an adopted corporate plan for the 2020-2025 period that sets out a clear vision and priorities to guide its service and financial plans.

Alternative options:  Not to adopt ‘Reigate & Banstead 2025’ and to request that further work be undertaken in response to the consultation before a revised version be reported back to the Executive.

To consider the Draft Corporate Plan 2020-2025 in accordance with the Council’s constitution

Councillor S. Sinden and Councillor S. Walsh arrived at the meeting.

Members considered the Draft Corporate Plan 2020-25 in accordance with the Council’s constitution. The Executive Member for Housing and Benefits, Councillor G. Knight introduced the item. He thanked the work of both Members and Officers who had worked hard to develop the plan over a two-year journey so far. He also thanked the Head of Corporate Policy for her work on behalf of himself and the Leader. The plan is now in a period of consultation and as part of that the Committee were due to provide feedback on the draft plan.

Councillor Knight noted that it was an ambitious plan. It included new areas of focus on both housing and environmental sustainability. It set the direction of travel for the Council. Over the coming weeks and months, Members would start to see more detail about items set out in the plan, such as the housing delivery strategy. The plan commits the Council to delivering high quality services. The Council needs to generate more income to do this, due to the cut in government funding. It had already established the Commercial Ventures Executive Sub-Committee, and the capital strategy explained how the Council will develop its commercial approach.

He also asked for the Committee’s views on how the Plan had been developed, including Member engagement. Did it reflect the areas where the Council should be focusing its activity? The consultation started on 16 July 2019 and was due to close on Monday 16 September 2019.

Committee Members had a number of questions and comments in the discussion that followed:

·       Work of the Council – Members praised the inclusive way that the Corporate Plan had been drawn together. The plan reflected the full width and breadth of the work and services of the Council which was of interest to residents in the Borough. The Executive Member was thanked for the two presentations that had been given to groups in the north of the Borough.

·       Partnership working – it was identified that co-ordination with partners such as Surrey County Council was very important. Residents wanted a one stop shop so they could access services at a single point. Members welcomed what had been done so far.

·       Housing – it was noted that Council is developing a detailed Housing Delivery Strategy to deliver the priority in the draft Plan. It has just re-confirmed its core planning strategy. It would be sensible to reflect this in the updated Corporate Plan as it set the scene. Members asked for more detail about the housing objective to deliver a minimum of 30 per cent affordable housing on all housing schemes on Council-owned land.

The Executive Member for Housing and Benefits said that the housing delivery strategy would have more detail in the next three months or so. The Council was concerned that there were many young people and those who worked in the community such as teachers, health care workers, police officers and local government officers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5

To consider a draft Corporate Plan for 2020-2025.

RESOLVED that, subject to the changes outlined in the Addendum presented, the Draft Corporate Plan 2020-2025 at Annex 1 to the report of the Head of Head of Corporate Policy be approved for consultation in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

Councillor G. Knight, Executive Member for Housing and Benefits, introduced the draft Corporate Plan 2020-2025, set out in Annex 1 to the report presented. The report set out relevant statutory powers, background information and options. The report also set out legal, financial equalities and communication implications, risk management considerations, the position on consultation and policy framework factors.  

Councillor Knight explained that the Corporate Plan formed part of the Council’s Policy Framework. The Executive was informed that the revised draft Corporate Plan had been developed by drawing on contextual information, local evidence, and feedback from councillors and stakeholders.

Councillor Knight highlighted that the draft Plan confirmed the Council’s commitment to delivering high quality services and value for money and included updated priorities across the three themes of People, Place and Organisation. The Executive Member also made reference to the following points:

-       Reigate and Banstead continued to be an ambitious Council and the Plan reflected this.

-       The importance of the Council’s statutory responsibilities had been reflected in the Plan, together with opportunities that would help make the borough an even better place to live, work, visit and to do business.

-       The draft plan highlighted the importance of environmental responsibilities and provided information on how the Council would secure housing that local people could afford.

-       The importance of creating stronger communities and the need to promote vibrant towns and villages to ensure economic prosperity benefited residents across the borough.

It was noted that an addendum to the agenda had been circulated. Councillor Knight explained that this set out some additional text for the Plan, specifically in relation to climate change. It was noted that the purpose of this was to ensure the draft Plan clearly reflected the Council’s responsibilities in relation to climate change. It was agreed that this extra information was a beneficial addition to the draft Plan.

In response to questions, it was recognised that the Council would need to generate additional funding to deliver the ambitions set out in the draft Plan. Councillor Knight made clear that the Plan included clear objectives about financial sustainability and understanding commercial activities. It was noted that the recently established Commercial Ventures Executive Sub-Committee would help the Council to achieve these objectives.

During the discussion a range of issues were considered including: resources needed to deliver the Plan; the importance of partnership working and responding to challenges faced by Surrey County Council and other partners; matters concerning environmental sustainability and climate change.  

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, it was noted that the draft Corporate Plan was subject to a minimum period of 8 weeks consultation and the Leader of the Council highlighted that all Members had an important role in promoting this.  

RESOLVED that, subject to the changes outlined in the Addendum presented, the Draft Corporate Plan 2020-2025 at Annex 1 to the report of the Head of Corporate Policy be approved for consultation in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

Reason for decision: In accordance with the Council’s Constitution,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29

To consider the emerging Corporate Plan for 2020 – 2025.

RESOLVED that:

(i)            The Draft Corporate Plan 2020-2025, set out at Annex 1 to the report presented, be approved for discussion with Council members following the local elections in May 2019, and prior to public consultation in accordance with the Council’s Policy Framework Procedure Rules.

(ii)          The Motion presented to Full Council on 8 February 2019 regarding climate change be noted with the following actions agreed:

-       That the Draft Corporate Plan includes a new commitment in relation to environmental sustainability and climate change.

-       That the Council review, and as necessary update, its plans in relation to carbon management and local action on climate change.   

Councillor G.J. Knight, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Housing and Benefits, introduced a report setting out the Council’s vision for the period 2020-2025. It was noted that the Corporate Plan formed part of the Council’s Policy Framework and that a draft, set out in Annex 1 to the report presented, had been developed for discussion purposes. It was recognised that the content would be re-visited following the local elections in May 2019.

Councillor Knight explained that the existing Corporate Plan, adopted in late 2014, would run until 2020. The Executive was informed that significant progress had been made in delivering against these priorities. However, the context in which the Council operated had continued to change, with new opportunities, challenges and uncertainties.

To ensure Council activities and priorities remained relevant to the borough’s residents and businesses it was noted that the revised Corporate Plan had been drafted to take account of the changing national, sub-national ad local political, financial, social, environmental and economic landscape. The draft plan had been prepared taking into account a variety of factors, including: performance in delivering the current plan; updated baseline information about the borough’s characteristics; the changing policy framework; and view of stakeholders and elected councillors.

Councillor Knight highlighted that the draft plan had been centred on Reigate and Banstead being an ambitious Council and that there were opportunities to make the borough an even better place to live, work, visit and do business.

Councillor Knight explained that the draft plan included objectives about: increasing housing choice for residents and local workers; creating stronger and safer communities; protecting the borough’s most vulnerable residents; supporting towns, village centres and the local economy; and providing high quality green spaces and neighbourhood services.

In response to questions about a Motion on Climate Change, considered by Full Council in February 2019, it was explained in response to this debate that the draft Corporate Plan had been updated to include a new cross cutting commitment covering environmental sustainability. This included commitments on reducing waste and emissions, using natural resources more efficiently and reviewing plans in relation to carbon management.

The Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Housing and Benefits concluded by stating that in order to deliver future priorities the Council needed to generate additional funding and operate more efficiently. It was explained that this was why the draft plan had included objectives about financial sustainability and undertaking commercial activities in order to generate additional income.

During the discussion a range of issues were considered, including:

-       The resources required to deliver the new plan, including the need to invest to ensure the Council had the right skills to deliver priorities across the plan. 

-       The importance of the Council’s forthcoming Capital Investment Strategy and general investment approach which would support delivery of the Council’s objectives.  

-       Responding to the challenges faced by Surrey County Council.

-       The importance of working in partnership and highlighting Horley Town Council and Salfords and Sidlow Parish Council as key partners in delivering  ...  view the full minutes text for item 113