To consider the 2021 Annual Review of Vision 2025 Our Corporate Improvement Plan, including our Strategic Equality Objectives 2020-2024.
Minutes:
Council considered an update of Vision 2025: Our Corporate Improvement Plan (CIP). The updated CIP detailed the revised activities that would be undertaken from April 2021 up to 2025 to deliver the council’s Well-being objectives, within the context of the current Covid-19 pandemic and the council’s Recovery Strategy. Reviewing and publishing our CIP for the start of the next financial year, would ensure the council met its statutory obligations in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2009 (Part 1) and the Equality Act 2010 (including the Specific Public Sector Equality Duties for Wales). The new Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act would also place similar duties on Local Authorities from 2021, as part of the performance provisions.
The objectives and improvement targets within the CIP Update 2021 would be included in relevant Service Integrated Business Plans for 2021-2024. These plans set out the detailed actions that would be taken to achieve each objective and the resources required.
The Leader, Portfolio Holders and Head of Transformation and Communications answered questions from Members. In response to points raised about the council’s response to the climate emergency, members were advised that it was a thread running throughout the CIP. There would be an update for members on 19th March on the response to the climate emergency. On the role of Scrutiny and the Improvement Boards, it was confirmed that these were not substitutes for Cabinet or Council where decision making remained. The Head of Transformation and Communications agreed to update the diagram to reflect the role of Scrutiny in delivering the CIP. She confirmed that comments made at the Scrutiny Committees had been incorporated into the CIP being considered by Council. She also confirmed that she would ensure that the Plan reflected motions passed by Council.
Members questioned whether the CIP went far enough with respect to preventing homelessness, child poverty and domestic abuse. Members also asked what was being done to tackle energy poverty, both through retrofitting council house stock to make them energy efficient and the Welsh Government’s warm homes Nest scheme. Members were advised that with regard to housing, many of the issues raised had been dealt with in the HRA business plan just approved by Cabinet and that there would be significant changes to how the council dealt with homelessness and the CIP would be amended accordingly. On the Nest scheme, members were advised that calls about the scheme had increased from 68 in quarter 3 to 140 in quarter 4 and installations from 17 to 47 in the same period.
On domestic abuse, the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care provided an update on the different approach taken during lockdown and advised that the results of this were being assessed. On child poverty, the Portfolio Holder for Young People and Culture said she would welcome any suggestions for improving the service and she highlighted the work of the Family Information Service.
In response to a point made about the vote taken in the Senedd about Nitrate Vulnerable Zones and the potential impact on the County Farms Estate, the Leader confirmed that the council would work closely with the County Farm tenants.
The Head of Transformation and Communications offered to make the costs of the independent members on the Improvement Boards available to members.
The Leader noted the comments of the Anti-Poverty Champion who expressed disappointment that she had not been consulted on the CIP and she invited her to come to Cabinet to provide an update on her work.
The recommendation was moved by the Leader and seconded by County Councillor Myfanwy Alexander and by 50 votes to 17 it was
RESOLVED that the 2021 Annual Update to Vision 2025: Our CIP (as outlined in Appendix A) is approved for publication, with implementation from April 2021.
Supporting documents: