Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Chief Executive, (copy enclosed).

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive seeking the Council’s approval of the proposed Corporate Activities, Performance Indicators and Targets for 2017 / 18 and for their inclusion in the annual update to the Corporate Plan (2015 – 19) attached as Appendix 3 to the report.

The Leader of the Council in presenting the report thanked those Members who had assisted with the reworking and representation of the Corporate Plan.  The Leader asked the Chief Executive to consider a minor change to Key Corporate Activity 2, following a strengthening communities meeting, adding isolation and listing old age and frailty separately and including isolation.”

The key corporate activities proposed for 2017 / 18 were attached as Appendix 1 to the report and new activities were set out in the report along with those 2016 / 17 activities not being carried forward.  Appendix 2 to the report set out the indicators / measures and proposed targets.

Councillor S J Savage declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item of business in relation to the activity ‘Promote and Support improved Broadband connectivity’ as he was able to have Fibre To The Cabinet (FTTC).

Councillor Mrs P A Channer declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item of business advising that when the matter had been previously considered she had withdrawn from the chamber at both meetings of the Council and Planning and Licensing Committee and did not take any part in discussions as she was Chairman of the Superfast Essex Programme Board.  She then proceeded to leave the chamber at this point. 

Councillor S J Savage referred to Broadband speed compensation thresholds and a website where Broadband speeds could be checked.  He advised that he would circulate to all Members a link to this website (http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2017/01/bt-wholesale-broadband-checker-adds-downstream-handback-threshold.html Select  "BT Wholesale Checker" and enter your phone No.). 

In response to concern and a question regarding the proposed removal of the Key Corporate Activity (KCA) ‘Promote and Support improved Broadband connectivity’, the Chief Executive provided an update on the ongoing work and explained that this was something that Officers were not directly working on which was why it was proposed not to be included.  She agreed it was incredibly important and advised if it would reassure Members to continue to have it as a KCA and getting regular reports it could be left in. 

Further concerns were raised regarding the current mobile phone coverage levels throughout the District and ensuring the Council was making use of future funding opportunities for further improvements.

It was agreed that ‘Promote and Support improved Broadband connectivity’ would continue to be a KCA.

Councillor Mrs Channer re-joined the meeting at this point.

In response to a question regarding delivering the Council’s goal ‘Strengthening Communities to be safe, active and healthy’, the Chief Executive advised that having been party to recent discussions at the Strengthening Communities Group, the Council needed to understand what it and communities could do to influence communities and this may involve better communication, Members working  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1159