Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Development and Change.

Cllr Ryan Holloway had declared an interest in this item, he did not take part in the discussion or vote.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Development and Change and Deputy Leader presented the report which had been through Cabinet in June and reviewed by the two overview Committees in detail. 

He thanked the Overview Committees for their input which included one of the key recommendations that climate and ecological change became a priority.  A number of additional changes had also been made following recommendations from the Overview Committees.

Members debated the report and made comments on the following points:-

Representation for suitable affordable housing to enable young people to stay in the county.

Suggestions for an Executive Director appointment to support the climate and ecological strategy.

Dorset’s ageing population, the high adult social care budget together with the high housing costs for younger people presented unsustainable demographics.

The need to create a better and healthier lifestyle for our older people – prevention at scale.

Economic growth - focus on better skilled jobs and apprenticeships

Proposed by Cllr Peter Wharf

Seconded by Cllr Spencer Flower

Upon being put to the vote the “minded to” motion was carried.

The Executive Director for Corporate Development and Chief Finance Officer confirmed that he had listened to the debate and having taken into account that members were minded to support the recommendations in the report, confirmed his decision.

Decision:

(a)  That the updated Dorset Council plan, as set out in appendix I of the report to Cabinet 5 October 2021, be adopted.

(b)  That authority be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Development and Change, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive for the final design of the plan.

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Development and Change.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Development and Change presented the report on the update of the Dorset Council Plan.

Input in respect of the development of the plan had consisted of a workshop involving both of the council’s overview committees on 26 July 2021 followed by their formal meetings of 2 September and 17 September 2021.  The minutes and comments from those meetings were attached at appendix 3 of the report.

He highlighted that although the primary focus had been the impact of the covid-19 pandemic, members of these committee(s) were keen that “climate and ecology” became a priority within the Plan. This aimed to reflect that the Council had adopted its Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy and action plan since the first Dorset Council Plan had been agreed in January 2020.

Responding to previous questions put by non-executive members, the Portfolio Holder confirmed that climate and ecology was now one of the key themes to be considered within the plan.

The overview committee(s) had also suggested that the name of the plan caused some confusion with the (planning) developing Local Plan, however he was of the view that changing the name at this stage, would cause further confusion.  The Portfolio Holder advised that following discussions with the communications team, efforts would be made, the public domain, to clearly distinguish the difference between the two plans.

The Portfolio Holder suggested that the Dorset Plan be recommended to full Council along with a proposal to give delegated powers to the Portfolio Holder, Leader of the Council and Chief Executive for the final design of the plan.

The Leader of the Council thanked the overview committee(s) for their contribution in developing the Dorset Council Plan.

In response to a question regarding strengthening the “housing for young families “priority, the Portfolio Holder for Housing recognised and acknowledged the work required for this priority, but also highlighted that there were other issues that needed to be considered.

Members of Cabinet expressed a “minded to view” to support the recommendations.

Recommendation to Full Council from the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Development and Change

(a)           That the updated Dorset Council plan, as set out in appendix I of the report to Cabinet 5 October 2021, be adopted.

(b)           That authority be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Development and Change, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive for the final design of the plan.

Reason for Recommendation: 

To provide clarity about this council’s priorities following the COVID-19 pandemic.   

To consider a report of the Business Partner – Policy, Research and Performance.  This report was also considered by the People and Health Overview Committee on 2 September 2021.

The committee considered a report which set out proposed changes to the Dorset Council Plan to reflect learning and changes as a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic.  An informal session of members of the council’s two overview committees had been held and a draft updated plan produced following the discussions held.

The Place and Resources Overview Committee was invited to review the updated document and provide any further comments or suggestions before consideration at Cabinet on 5 October 2021.

Councillors considered the draft updated document and comments were made in the following areas:

·       The importance of and links to the council’s climate strategy and action plan had been recognised in the draft plan

·       The name of the draft plan – the committee’s suggestion to Cabinet was that the plan should either remain as the Dorset Council Plan or change to the Dorset Council Corporate Plan

·       There should be recognition of the status of the council in terms of area covered and population size

·       How the plan would be reviewed in future and that it should be seen as a working document

·       A suggestion was made that wording around the impact of retirement issues should be re-examined

·       It was confirmed that infographics would be updated with latest data where available

·       A suggestion was made that wording around high quality housing including affordable housing should be re-examined

·       It was recognised that some additional detail requested would be available elsewhere and could be cross referenced to in the plan where appropriate

·       How outcomes from the plan would be measured and links to the council’s performance management framework

·       It was agreed to remove the names of particular areas of deprivation from the plan and instead provide a link to where the information was available.

The Chairman noted that the comments made at the meeting had been captured by officers to feed into the discussion to be held at Cabinet.

The Executive Director of Corporate Development confirmed that the points raised would be taken forward to Cabinet.