Issue - meetings

To note the report of the Executive Member for Corporate Direction and Governance.

RESOLVED: To note the progress during the final year of the Council’s 2015-2020 Five Year Plan priorities, as set out in the report, and to consider any observations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Executive Member for Corporate Direction and Governance, Councillor Lewanski, explained that 2019/20 represented the final year of the Reigate & Banstead 2015-2020 Corporate Plan. The plan period had covered a challenging time for the Council, as central funding for local authorities had been taken away, whilst the need to support communities had continued. Despite that context, the plan was ambitious in its goals and was supported by sound financial management, smart ways of working, and dedicated staff.

In response to questions from Visiting Members, the Interim Head of Paid Service undertook to provide more information after the meeting to those Members present, and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, on:

a)    The comparative annual total amount of Community Infrastructure Levy developer contributions, since CIL was introduced in 2016; and

b)    Clarification of the outcome for those homelessness applicants that did not secure affordable accommodation as a result of their application.

The report had been noted by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 10 September 2020. A new plan for the period 2020-2025 had been adopted, and progress against that plan would continue to be reported annually to the Executive.

RESOLVED: To note the progress during the final year of the Council’s 2015-2020 Five Year Plan priorities.

Reason for decision: 2019/20 represented the final year of the Council’s 2015-2020 Five Year Plan, which commenced in 2015-16.

Alternative options: As set out in the report.

To consider the progress during the final year of the Council’s 2015-2020 Five Year Plan, and to make any observations.

Members considered the progress made during the final year of the Council’s 2015-2020 Five Year Plan. A final report to the Committee highlighted achievements in delivering the plan around three key themes: People, Place and Organisation. A new plan for the period 2020-2025 (Reigate and Banstead 2025) was adopted by Council on 16 January 2020 which will provide the framework for Council activity over the next five years.

Cllr V. Lewanski, Portfolio Holder for Corporate Direction and Governance, highlighted the extensive work carried out in 2019/20. In the People area (supporting residents to enjoy healthy and happy lifestyles), the Council had continued to work with residents to help them into employment, provided a range of services for older people and encouraged healthy lifestyles through the use of the Borough’s leisure centres, parks and open spaces. Priorities for the Place area (to promote the Borough as a great place to live and work), included initiatives with existing and new businesses in the borough, ensuring public spaces were clean and attractive, and establishing a Development Management Plan to reflect the Borough’s planning and housing needs. In the Organisation themed area, work continued to create a positive and supportive work environment, build improved communication and engagement with residents, as well as objectives to increase the value and income from the Council’s properties and assets which had risen substantially since 2015.

Members noted the progress and achievements made by the Council in 2019/20 in the last year of the 2015-2020 Five Year Plan.

RESOLVED that the progress during the final year of the Council’s 2015-2020 Five Year Plan priorities as set out in the report be noted.