Issue - meetings

To receive the Leader’s report on the work of the Executive since the Council meeting held on 29 November 2017.

Council is asked to note the Executive decisions detailed in the report.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Bettison OBE, presented his report on the work of the Executive since that reported at the Council meeting on 29 November 2017. The Executive had met once on 19 December 2017.

The Council noted the Executive decisions detailed in the report. The Leader highlighted the following matters that had been considered:

·         The Capital Programme & Revenue Budget proposals were agreed. The six week consultation with Overview & Scrutiny and the public had begun. A full debate would be held at the February Council meeting.

·         The Rights of Way Improvement Plan had been agreed which built on the plan published in 2016 and incorporated consultation feedback.

·         The consultation for the Thames Basin Heath SPA Supplementary Planning Document was launched on 8 January running until 19 February 2018. The document would provide greater clarity on regulations, buffer zones and SANG’s.

·         The Corporate Performance Overview Report for Quarter Two was reviewed and performance was largely back on track. Highlights included the opening of the Lexicon, the re-opening of Coral Reef, positive Care Quality Commission Local Area Review and the launch of the new Resources Directorate. He noted that other achievements in 2017 were the Ofsted inspection, launch of “Help Yourself” digital platform, introduction of Family Safeguarding Model, successful NPIF bid for dualling of Downshire Way and delivery of £7m+ of transformation programme savings.

In relation to the Revenue Budget 2018/19 Councillor Mrs Temperton asked why it was stated in the report at paragraph 5.2.3 that the Commercial Investment Strategy was providing £1m of income when it had been previously reported at the November Council meeting that it was generating £2million. Councillor Bettison confirmed that this was an error in the report and the amount of income being delivered by the strategy was £2m per annum.

In relation to the Council Plan Overview Report Councillor Mrs Temperton enquired why vacancies and staff illness rates had not been included in the second quarter Quarterly Service Reports. She stated that she found the data a useful indicator of wellbeing of the Council’s staff. Councillor Bettison agreed to respond after the meeting once he had investigated the omission.