Decision details

The Chief Executive introduced the report and gave a brief history to the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC). It was confirmed that in 2019 they gave 8 recommendations and that they had been invited back to assess the progress of the Council, to look at how they had responded to the pandemic and assess the Council Plan, Fit for the Future programme, and Carbon Neutral 2030 strategy. The feedback report had been conveyed to full Council and an action plan had been created following this.

In response to Councillor Braun, it was confirmed that the Town and Parish Council Charter would likely be taken to full Council to be adopted.

Councillor Pearcy suggested that education needed to be provided in particular for Parish and Town Councils regarding planning policy and enforcement so that they could better understand the process. The Chief Executive stated that they were aware of the need to provide further information to Parish and Town Councils and that the development team were looking into ways of doing this.

Proposed by Councillor Braun and seconded by Councillor Turner.

Councillor Hurst raised concerns regarding the number of meetings Councillors needed to attend and that it was difficult with other commitments. The Chair, Councillor Cornell, confirmed that the Member Development Working Group would be asked to consider the number and format of meetings.

Councillor Ross advised that they had had the last Voids Task and Finish Group, much progress had been made and they needed to get better at celebrating success which could be helped by a communication strategy to show the work completed on voids and congratulate people for the work done.

Councillor Braun stated that many of the actions appeared to be already part of the Fit for the Future programme and that a lot of the actions had short timescales for delivery. She also highlighted the improvements in housing and the Parish and Town council work.

On being put to the vote, the Motion was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED  To:

a.  Agree the Action Plan; and

b.  Note that progress will be reported to future Strategy & Resources Committee meetings.