Issue - meetings

This report updates the cabinet on progress made in delivering our corporate strategy and identifies key issues for its further development in the context of recovery and renewal following from our response to Covid-19.

The Chair introduced the report by saying that the Council adopted a four-year Corporate Strategy in February 2020, with an overriding purpose to improve people's lives. Also, there were two key policies that went with this; one was around addressing the climate emergency and the second was giving people a bigger say. Covid19 impact had put a huge amount of pressure on staff, on services, and on finances. This has given the Council an opportunity to rethink on how to deliver some services with better partnership working. The Chair expressed her concern on how reliant the Council has been on tourism and retail The lockdown has enabled the Council to speed up adoption of new technology and new ways of communication, such as live remote meetings. For example, the Chair has hosted a number of webinars with different subjects. However, there were many residents who were not online, and the Council must make sure that they have access to updated information. The Council would continue to prepare for the future, whatever that may look like, and would remain committed to net zero carbon by 2030.  The partnership working has proven to be a real lifeline for many residents, as demonstrated by the success of the Compassionate Communities Hub partnership working and engagement has been invaluable with key stakeholders during the most intense periods of the pandemic. The Engagement Board has had representation from a wide range of bodies, including the police, fire rescue and both universities, as well as health providers. The Economic Recovery and Renewal Board had been set up as a tool to drive and to influence business recovery. The Chair concluded her statement by saying that she would like to ensure all that the work would continue to make sure that Council has solid foundations of good governance and clear lines of cooperation, corporate control and oversight.

The Chair moved the recommendations as printed in the report.

Councillor Kevin Guy seconded the motion.

Councillor Richard Samuel welcomed the report and said that he was pleased with the proposed workplan. The whole Covid19 situation had great impact on the Council in terms of ways of working and use of technology.  Councillor Samuel also said that there would be a huge challenge in finance and the property portfolio.  Nevertheless, the new Medium-Term Financial Strategy and the Budget would be produced in the coming months.

Councillor David Wood also welcomed the report by updating the Cabinet on the latest within Waste Services, in particular about opening waste recycling centres across the area, with some being open 7 days in a week, and ‘Don’t Be A Tosser’ litter campaign.

Councillor Rob Appleyard welcomed the report by highlighting the importance of partnership working during Covid19, and paid his respect to the wider community, and those organisations that have blended together to make this experience as less painful as it could be.

Councillor Sarah Warren welcomed the report by saying that the Council had been running a number of webinars in terms  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35