Agenda item

To consider the refreshed Corporate Strategy and note the ongoing impact of Covid-19 and the actions the Council is taking as a result

The Leader moved the recommendations in the report. He explained that the report referred to Appendix A and Appendix 1, and it was Appendix A that was attached to the report that was proposed for approval.

 

Councillor Higgins seconded and thanked those involved in producing the Corporate Strategy video and in delivering on key aspects of the strategy.

 

A video on the refreshed Corporate Strategy was shown and well received by Members. It was noted that it would be used as much as possible to promote the Council’s priorities and what the Council was aiming to achieve. Using social media and web channels, partners’ websites as well as in reception at Parkside.

 

The Mayor said that although the strategy was very impressive, he felt it did not emphasise enough what the Council did do so well which was looking after weaker members of the community. He appreciated what the Leader and Councillor Pearson had said in the video about continued focus on priority neighbourhoods which was welcomed but he considered hardship came in various forms in sundry places not just in convenient areas. He explained that if you relied on focus groups to formulate policy, few would say look after those who found life difficult, in many cases through no fault of their own. If you were elected you were there to represent everyone including the less fortunate and do what you felt was right, everything was a balance. He was supportive of the Strategy and wished to stress that he wanted a vibrant economy but felt the community could only progress as fast as its slowest section. He asked that the political leadership continue to invest in and look after this group because it was very important.

 

The Leader stated:

 

‘Back in February we approved our Corporate Strategy for the next four years. Within weeks we were in lockdown and focussing on responding to a global crisis. Understandably we had to suspend our plans to launch the Strategy in April, but as things stabilised over the late spring and early summer we were able to review our strategy against the new challenges from covid and assess what, if any, changes were required. As a Council, officers and members have, once again, worked well to consider the implications and impacts caused by Covid with opportunities for all members to feed in. Tonight we consider the outcomes from that review but we must remember that our strategy will never be set in stone, it will continue to adapt as the challenges facing our community adapt and I welcome the ongoing review of our two Scrutiny task and finish groups who will feed in ideas over the coming months.

 

It was pleasing that even faced with the changing situation caused by covid, the 6 priorities we set ourselves in February remained relevant and appropriate. We have also retained an absolute commitment to being a caring and a compassionate council, which runs through the core of our organisation and is underpinned by our values. What we have though done is refine the focus of our priorities to emphasise those issues that will now be most pressing over the coming months and years.

 

Firstly, as we anticipate an increase in unemployment and financial, and mental well-being needs, we are placing an even greater emphasis on supporting our community, particularly the most vulnerable, learning from and sustaining the fantastic approach taken through our Community Support hub.

 

The Council’s commitment to improve council homes and landlord services remains unchanged, but now includes an additional focus on utilising existing and new stock to provider better temporary accommodation for those who need it; particularly when risks of homelessness are increasing.

 

The Covid-19 crisis has exacerbated inequalities and made them more pronounced. The Council’s commitment to inclusive growth, aligned with the government’s levelling up agenda, has never been more important. The strategy retains the clear focus on delivering a number of key priorities; including the Manufacturing Zones, using our assets for housing, securing a sustainable future for the Melton Sports Village and lobbying for a second GP surgery. It also refocuses activity on supporting the town centre recovery and expanding the rural pub scheme to support the wider hospitality and farming sector; so affected by the current situation.

 

Despite the huge challenges of lockdown, an unintended benefit was the reduction in carbon emissions and improvements in air quality. As many continue to work from home, traffic levels and resultant pollution have not returned to pre-lockdown levels. There is an opportunity to reinforce and sustain increased utilisation of sustainable transport like cycling and to make the most of our rural natural environment.

 

Finally, the Council will take the lessons from the last six months and consider how it will implement a new operating model, that maximise our flexible working practices and makes the best use of our office space. The Council’s commitment to increase our community focus remains, but has been intensified to harness the tremendous community response and connections made through the crisis. It is hoped the Council can strike a new ‘deal’ to fundamentally reset how we work with and support those we serve.

 

I am proud of this strategy and I am proud of the way our council continues to support our community. The report highlights some of the many things we have done in responding to covid over the last six months and it goes to show what can be achieved by local councils, working closely with their communities.’

 

Councillor Evans felt the video was too focussed on the town and there was little that related to the rural areas of the Borough. He considered there was nothing on tourism and development in the rural areas.  He said this was a  tough time for everyone and positive policies were needed setting out what the Council wanted to achieve in a measured way. He felt the strategy showed no way of measuring achievement over 4 years as there were no aims or objectives. He felt there needed to more to boost business and employment in the area and the document was bland on those areas. He congratulated those involved in the producing the document would like to see more facts and rural related content.

 

The Leader responded that some of the filming had been done in rural areas and that priority 4 supported the rural environment and economy. He added that the strategy was a high level document and would be underpinned by a delivery plan.

 

Councillor Holmes agreed in part with Councillor Evans that the strategy did not demonstrate enough focus on rural aspects of the community and felt that the Council needed to care and understand the needs of the rural life of the Borough. She felt satisfied that Councillor Pearson was supporting the most vulnerable and the Council must continue with that. She considered the strategy was good but just lacked on its reflection of the rural community.

 

Councillor Chandler stated that support and encouragement for jobs and industry was needed in the rural areas. She mentioned that neighbouring Councils were more supportive of rural businesses around the Bottesford area than Melton as these Councils could see that potential businesses had the capital and just needed support. She considered that business growth brought employment to the rural area and improved the economy and new businesses needed to be encouraged. 

 

The Leader responded that the Council was available to support rural businesses and they just needed to get in touch with officers. He further mentioned that the 500 homes due to be built in Bottesford would bring employment and boost the economy. He agreed to contact Councillor Chandler to discuss further following the meeting.

 

Councillor Lumley wished to record thanks to several individuals who had helped him with his ward issues on areas such as fly-tipping and the vagrant cells at St Mary’s Hospital. He also paid tribute to Glynn Cartwright for his community leadership. He asked if the Council could be more forward thinking on its protection of historic sites such as the War Memorial Hospital and the St Mary’s site.

 

Councillor Pearson responded that there were grants available for rural companies and for the armed forces covenant which was a joint venture with Charnwood, Melton and Rushcliffe to support those who been in military service. He advised that the Council was working closely with the vulnerable and they would not lose focus and keep moving forward.

 

Councillor Pritchett was supportive of the strategy but would abstain as he intended to monitor and hold those to account who were responsible for its delivery. He added that he would be pursuing its aims in his own ward to help make it work. 

The Leader expressed appreciation for Members’ comments and agreed with Councillor Lumley on his gratitude to David Walker and Tony Ebbs for their commitment.

 

(Councillor Illingworth was reported as having left the meeting due to connectivity issues and had requested it be noted that he was supportive of the recommendations.)

 

Councillor Cumbers explained that two scrutiny reviews were in the pipeline, one on place and the other on people. She added that young people had been badly affected by the pandemic and there was high unemployment. Although the Council could not directly address this, the Council could support the bigger picture as a caring organisation. She added that Jobcentre Plus was supporting young people to find work and reduce  unemployment.

 

The Leader advised Members to contact the relevant Portfolio Holder with any concerns.

 

Councillor Freer-Jones added that the Customer Services function supported people from all over the Borough.

 

The Mayor informed the Council that he had been delighted to present a 30 years’ service certificate to Diana Faulks in Customer Services who had given excellent service to the Council.

 

RESOLVED

 

(1)   To APPROVE the updated Corporate Strategy as set out at Appendix  A;

 

(2)   To NOTE the ongoing impact of Covid-19 and the actions the Council is taking as a result.

 

(21 for, 4 abstentions)