Decision details

PART I – ITEMS RESOLVED BY CABINET

There were no speakers on the items resolved by Cabinet at its meeting on 3 April 2024.

PART II – RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL

Item 5 – Updated Corporate Plan 2024-2028

Cllr Cleary introduced the item and moved the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting.  In doing so, she highlighted the recent endorsement from the Resources and Transformation Overview and Scrutiny Panel, expressing her view that all the work undertaken had culminated in the best corporate plan the Council had ever produced.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

Cllr Richards moved the following amendment and in doing so, highlighted the importance of setting an ambitious plan in respect of the Council’s overall activity and commitment to the Climate and Nature Emergency.  Cllr Parker seconded the amendment:-

“That Council approve the Corporate Plan 2024-2028 (Appendix 1), updated following public consultation, subject to:

the emissions from the Council’s vehicle fleet measure within Place Priority 2 being supplemented with a measure of total emissions related to all aspects of the Council’s activity, including its supply chain.”

Members speaking for the amendment referred to the Council’s Climate and Nature Emergency declaration, and the opportunity to ensure regular, transparent accounting for the Council’s activity in this regard.  It was suggested that the collection of this sort of data was not uncommon in the corporate world.

Members speaking against the amendment sought further information in relation to the resources required to measure all emissions related to Council activity and its supply chain, in addition to the Council’s vehicle fleet.

Some Members referenced the upcoming performance management framework which would set specific, measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and in doing so could revisit the proposal in any case.

In responding to the debate on the amendment, Cllr Richards encouraged the Council to ensure accountability across Council activity, expressing concern that if not included within the plan, it would not hold the importance it needed to drive ownership of responding to the climate and nature emergency.

In responding to the debate on the amendment, the Leader expressed her concern at agreeing to a performance indicator that the Council could not accurately measure.  She highlighted that whilst the emissions from the Council’s vehicle fleet was measurable, the wider supply chain of Council partners extended outside of the Council’s control.

Put to the vote, the amendment was lost.

The Council went on to debate the substantive motion.

Some Members made comments in relation to the Solent Freeport and its prominence within the “prosperity” theme of the Corporate Plan.  There were also comments made in relation to how the perception of crime could be quantified and alternative options to measure performance in this area.

The Leader responded to the debate and welcomed regular performance reporting that was accessible to the public.

Put to the vote, the substantive motion was carried.

RESOLVED:

That Council approve the Corporate Plan 2024-2028 (Appendix 1), updated following public consultation.