Issue - meetings

To receive the Leader’s report on the work of the Executive since the Council meeting held on 11 September 2019.

Council is asked to resolve a recommendation in respect of:

·       the Council Plan 2019-2023

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 11 September 2019. The Executive had met twice on 24 September and 22 October 2019.

The Leader highlighted the following matters that had been considered:

·        Council Plan 2019 – 2023 was recommended to the meeting which was the key document translating the conservative manifesto into deliverable plans. There were six strategic themes within the plan:

o   Caring for you and your family

o   Value for money

o   Education & Skills

o   Economic resilience

o   Communities

o   Protecting & enhancing our environment

These themes are underpinned by 50 key objectives and Annual Service Plans will set out detailed annual steps to deliver the Plan.

·        Local Plan Consultation was a key priority in the Council Plan and further consultation was agreed to run from 25 October to 6 December 2019. All comments received from previous consultations had been “carried forward”. A decision on the ‘submission’ version would follow in the New Year with an Examination in Public expected Summer 2020.

·        Heathlands Nursing & Dementia Care Home was another key priority in the Council Plan and £10.95m was included in capital programme. The contract for pre-construction services had been awarded. Discussions on detailed operating model continued with Frimley Health and East Berkshire CCG. The planning application was expected in December.

•        Major procurements had been undertaken for School Meals service, Home to School and occasional transport services as well as Liability insurance and claims handling.

•        Agreement to transfer open spaces and two public conveniences to Towns & Parish Councils had been completed.

•        The Children’s Social Care supervision policy had been agreed.

•        The Local List of buildings and structures of Local Architectural and Historic interest had been agreed.

•        The Polling place review 2019 had been agreed.

•        The Council Plan Overview Report had been considered for quarter 1 and general good progress had been made.

Councillor Temperton requested for an example of what a permitted alternative health and social care use of one or more wings in the Heathlands building would be. In response Councillor Birch clarified that any void capacity would be offered to other health and care partners.

On the proposition of Councillor Bettison, Leader of the Council, seconded by Councillor Allen it was

RESOLVED that the Council Plan 2019-2023 be adopted as attached at Appendix A to the agenda report.