Issue - meetings

The Leader presented the recommendation, which was referred to in the Executive report of 6 July 2021, regarding the Refreshed Corporate Plan for 2021/22. She asked Members to note that the text at 2.1 in the report was incorrect and said it should read “the Executive were asked to review and comment on the refreshed priorities for 2021/22 onwards”. She said that the Corporate Plan guided the Council in all its interactions and its ambitions for the future. The refreshed plan followed the SEED principles but had been refreshed due to the impact of Covid-19.

Councillor Haysey proposed that the recommendations in the Executive report be supported. Councillor Pope seconded the proposal.

Councillor Goldspink confirmed that the Liberal Democrat group were supportive of this recommendation.

Councillor Wilson noted that the funding for two of the initiatives, the Launch Pad and ‘Welcome Back’, were funded by the EU. He asked where the funding would come from in the next few years.

Councillor Goodeve said the Launch Pad funding had been guaranteed for two years.

The motion to support the recommendation having been proposed and seconded, was put to the meeting and upon a vote being taken, it was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that the refreshed Corporate Plan be adopted.

To recommend to Council that the refreshed Corporate Plan be adopted.

The Leader of the Council presented the Annual Plan 2020/21 and Refreshed Corporate Plan report. Most Councils had a corporate plan to set out ambition for strategic direction. The East Herts plan was reviewed every year and adapted as required and this year, had taken into account the responses and priorities following the pandemic. The plan had been reviewed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The Leader said that communities had been through a lot in the 18 months and demonstrated great acts of volunteering but also suffered difficult times and the Council was here to help.

Councillor Haysey proposed and Councillor Williamson seconded a motion supporting the recommendation in the report. On being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – To recommend to Council that the refreshed Corporate Plan be adopted.

The Leader of the Council submitted a report that invited Members to review progress on the corporate plan to date and comment on the refreshed priorities for 2021/22 onwards. The Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy said that the annual report looked back at the last 12 months in terms of the corporate plan and the delivery of priorities.

Members were advised that the refreshed corporate plan was the document that looked forward in terms of the four “SEED” themes and what the Executive considered to be important over the next 12 months. The Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy said that Officers had been working to deliver on those revised priorities. He stated that any comments would be considered by the Executive on 6 July before the refreshed corporate plan was adopted by Council on the 28 July 2021.

The Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy showed Members a silent three minute video on the achievements of the Annual Plan. He responded to a query from Councillor Devonshire as to when receptions would be re-opening.

Councillor Goldspink commented on whether the Queen’s canopy project and also the establishment of wildlife areas and whether these could be mentioned in the sustainability section of the refreshed Corporate Plan. The Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy said that these matters could be included in the sustainability section of the plan.

Councillor Curtis commented on how much attention had been paid to the realisation of the corporate objectives on a ward by ward basis.

The Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy said that some of the actions in the refreshed Corporate Plan could be amended to include information that was specific to individual wards.

Councillor Drake commented on whether the provision of discretionary rate grants could be restarted now that residents might be looking to open or restart businesses in East Herts.

The Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy said some new discretionary grant funding had come through via the Chancellor’s overall package of support for businesses. He said that a scheme that would replicate the discretionary grants scheme was due to open next month.

Councillor Curtis proposed, and Councillor Bell seconded, a motion that the recommendations as detailed in the report be approved. After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that (A) the Annual Plan and the refreshed Corporate Plan be reviewed; and

(B)   the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be forwarded to the Executive for their consideration.