Agenda item

The Report of the Chief Executive is attached.

It was RESOLVED that the Corporate Strategy 2024-2027 be endorsed and forwarded to Council for adoption.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Borough-wide Leadership, Councillor Clarke, presented the report of the Chief Executive, which detailed the Council’s Corporate Strategy for 2024-2027. 

Councillor Clarke advised that this Strategy was set to be adopted by Full Council in December, with the current Strategy expiring this year.  Cabinet was reminded that the Strategy had been subject to consultation by both Councillors and residents, with the four key priorities remaining the same, as they were still appropriate and relevant.  Councillor Clarke stated that whilst each key priority was important it its own right, the Environment would continue to be a significant focus for the Council, and as new Government legislation came forward, the Council needed to ensure that it was reacting appropriately to that.  The Council was also working towards being operationally net zero, whilst working to strike the correct balance between development without sacrificing the Borough’s rural identity, which the Council and so many residents valued.  Councillor Clarke referred to the 12 strategic tasks for the four key priorities, which were highlighted in the Strategy. Councillor Clarke referred to his earlier response to Councillor Walker’s question and stated that since the Cabinet agenda had been published, the Corporate Overview Group had met and considered the Strategy and he suggested that it would be appropriate to include those comments in the report submitted to Council, together with any other comments relevant to the potential adoption of the Strategy.     

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Brennan endorsed the comments made by Councillor Clarke and stated that the Strategy clearly set out the Council’s strategic objectives and the actions to be taken to deliver them.  The Strategy made it clear that the Council continuing to deliver its core services to residents remained a key priority, whilst at the same time focusing on some of the significant strategic challenges that it would face, particularly with the advent of the new Devolution Deal and the creation of a new Combined Mayoral Authority.  Councillor Brennan reiterated that the Council would continue to work to create investment opportunities in the region, particularly with the closure of the Ratcliffe on Soar Power Station, the development of the Freeport and the Development Corporation, and by taking advantage of the Government’s Levelling Up agenda.  Councillor Brennan started that she was particularly pleased that the Council would be working towards an Economic Growth Strategy, which was detailed in the Action Plan.  Alongside those new strategic challenges, the Council had set out its intention to implement new Government legislation on planning and the environment, and to review its asset base to ensure it maintained sound finances, which would enable the continued delivery of high quality services, whilst ensuring value for money and Councillor Brennan was happy to endorse the Strategy.        

Councillor J Wheeler welcomed the inclusion of the fourth strategic task to deliver Rushcliffe’s Leisure Strategy, the progress already made and looked forward to reporting back to scrutiny on future progress.  Whilst it was noted that the consultation had been very extensive, the few comments received could indicate that in general people were happy with the Strategy, as people were often less likely to comment if they agreed with something.  Councillor Wheeler thanked the Communication team for its hard work in publicising the Strategy and welcomed going forward that the tasks and priorities would continue to be monitored and kept on track.

Councillor Upton stated that it was timely for a new strategic plan to be brought forward and agreed that it was important to have a plan and a future vision, which this Strategy did.

Councillor Clarke referred to the comments raised by Councillor Wheeler about the Strategy going forward, and suggested that if issues were identified that would contribute to the Council’s priorities then they could be considered as part of the Action Plan.

It was RESOLVED that the Corporate Strategy 2024-2027 be endorsed and forwarded to Council for adoption.