Agenda item

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a non-pecuniary interest in this item of business advising that when the matter had been previously considered she had withdrawn from the chamber at both meetings of the Council and Planning and Licensing Committee and did not take any part in discussions as she was Chairman of the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 with their communities etc.  It was noted that the Strengthening Communities Group were pulling together a matrix of opportunities. 

A debate ensued and in response to a number of questions the following information was provided:

·                  The Director of Customers and Community advised that in respect of assistance for the frail / elderly population of the District the Council was looking to signpost and identify local needs with partners and then influence partnership to match up to the local needs.  Adult Social Care was means tested and in April further changes had come in requiring higher contributions.

·                  Although the Appendix referred to the Sickness Absence Management Policy, Officers were in the process of implementing the recently agreed Attendance Management Policy. 

·                  The Corporate Leadership Team sought to allocate the most appropriate Lead Officers in respect of specific KCAs and this may not necessarily be a Director.

·                  The Finance and Corporate Services Committee received regular reports on sickness absence and these provided a breakdown of both short and long term sickness.

·                  The Director of Customers and Community advised that the  Community Services Committee at its next meeting would consider a report on waste services with proposals for changes which Officers believed would be beneficial and provide focus more on streets.

RESOLVED

(i)         that the ‘Promote and Support improved Broadband connectivity’ be included as a Key Corporate Activity for 2017 / 18;

(ii)        that subject to the addition detailed in (i) above, the proposed 2017 / 18 Key Corporate Activities as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report be approved;

(iii)       that the proposed 2017 / 18 indicators / measures and targets as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report be approved;

(vi)       that the 2017 / 18 Update of the Corporate Plan (2015 / 19) as set out in Appendix 3 to the report be approved and adopted.