Agenda item

To receive a report setting out a review of the Council Plan.

RECOMMENDATION That Council:

1)         endorse and approve the publication and communication of the 2014-17 Council Plan achievements as attached in Appendix 1 to the report.

2)         request that a Borough Plan for 2019-22 produced in partnership is presented to Council in February 2019.

The Council considered a report setting out a review of the Council Plan, set out at Agenda pages 27 to 56.

It was proposed by Charlotte Haitham Taylor and seconded by David Lee that the recommendations within the agenda be approved.

Charlotte Haitham Taylor indicated that the Council Plan review looked back on the old Council Plan, what we said we would do, what we did, achievements and looking ahead at the creation of the new plan. 

Charlotte Haitham Taylor highlighted some of the successes achieved.  Wokingham consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work, with good schools and health and social care services.  Services had been maintained and in some cases extended.  A new Council Plan would be drawn up over the next year which would set out the Council’s vision and priorities for the coming years.  Members, residents, partners and stakeholders including the third sector, would be engaged with. 

Philip Mirfin commented that the Council had promised to create a thriving Wokingham town centre with the town centre regeneration plan.  Various phases had begun work.  Dialogue would begin with the other towns, including Twyford, Woodley and Earley, to look at opportunities for improvement in these areas.

Keith Baker referred to the introduction of Civil Parking Enforcement.  There had been a reduction in anti-social parking in the Borough.

Lindsay Ferris commented that the Opposition had not been involved in the development of the existing Council Plan but would be involved in the consultation regarding the forthcoming Plan.

Mark Ashwell highlighted that the Council’s Vision for Education was being developed strategically via Wokingham Learning Partnership; a partnership with schools, further education colleagues and the local authority.  A Special Educational Needs and Disability Strategy 0-25 years was being developed and consulted on.  A review of resource spaces for pupils for special educational needs was being undertaken.  Mark Ashwell also referred to successes around foster carer recruitment.

Julian McGhee-Sumner commented that the Council’s website content had been redesigned to make it more accessible via mobile devices.  More services were moving online.  Support would continue to be provided to those who were unable to access web based services.  Reference was also made to the negative revenue support grant proposed by central government.  Feedback received from residents attending ‘Meet the Council events’ suggested that expectations were being met or exceeded much of the time.  A revised Statement of Community Involvement had been produced.

Stuart Munro referred to successes regarding new job and apprenticeship opportunities.  The City Deal funding supported by the Elevate programme had helped broker 51 apprenticeships and 177 jobs.  Stuart Munro also highlighted examples of engagement with small businesses.

Richard Dolinski informed Members that the Council was on target to deliver 500 affordable homes.  In addition the Council was one of the top performing councils for getting people out of hospital and back into their homes, preventing bed blocking.  The Community Mental Health Team was rated ‘Good’ and the Older Persons Mental Health Service was rated ‘Outstanding.’  Opportunities for carers in the community were increasing, including mental health support.

Norman Jorgensen commented that his portfolio was addressing the priorities including vibrant communities, health and wellbeing and quality of life and maintaining and improving waste collection and recycling.  The collection of a wider range of plastics as part of the waste collection service had been introduced and, from April 2019, there would be a weekly food waste collection.  Norman Jorgensen also highlighted the opening of 3G artificial surface football pitches across the Borough, plans to improve California Country Park and the new management contract for the operation of the leisure centres. 

Upon being put to the vote it was:

RESOLVED:  That Council:

1)         endorse and approve the publication and communication of the 2014-17 Council Plan achievements as attached in Appendix 1 to the report;

2)         request that a Borough Plan for 2019-22 produced in partnership is presented to Council in February 2019.