Contact your Parish Council

MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Cabinet

Wednesday 10 September 2014

REPORT OF HEAD OF POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Report prepared by Angela Woodhouse 

1.           Corporate Planning Timetable

1.1        Issue for Decision

1.1.1   The Strategic Plan and Medium Term Financial Strategy are key

elements of the corporate planning framework for the Council.

They are also a key part of the ‘golden thread’ which runs from the

vision for the borough through to Corporate priorities, performance measures and targets for individuals in appraisals.

1.1.2 Cabinet is asked to agree the timetable for corporate planning for

2014-15.

1.2        Recommendation of Head of Policy and Communications

1.2.1   It is recommended that Cabinet agree to developing a new strategic plan and medium term financial strategy in accordance with the

corporate planning timetable set out at Appendix A.

1.3        Reasons for Recommendation

1.3.1   The corporate planning process within the Council ensures the overall vision for the borough is delivered. The priorities and outcomes in the Strategic Plan are developed alongside the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) to ensure a consistent approach between service delivery and budgets. Service planning allows the Council to convert high level objectives from the Strategic Plan into actions for each directorate, service or team across the Council, which then feeds into individual staff appraisals.

1.3.2   The current Strategic Plan finishes in March 2015. A new Strategic Plan is required from 2015 onwards. The Cabinet have been considering revised priorities for 2015 onwards at Cabinet Away Days throughout the summer.

1.3.3   The timetable attached includes consultation with residents and councilors including overview and scrutiny. Residents will be consulted through a series of roadshows across the Borough with the aim to inform residents of the current financial position and the draft priorities for 2015 onwards.

1.4        Alternative Action and why not Recommended

1.4.1   The Strategic Plan sets out how the Council will deliver services. It provides the route map for the council, for managers, Councillors and the public. Without such a plan the effectiveness of the Council would be significantly compromised and reduced.

1.5        Impact on Corporate Objectives

1.5.1   The Strategic Plan sets out the Council’s Corporate Objectives for the next five years and it represents the top level document from which all other plans and strategies of the Council will flow.

1.5.2   The Corporate Planning process is centred on identifying the Council’s corporate priorities and outcomes from 2015 onwards.

1.6        Risk Management

1.6.1   Risks associated with the delivery of the Strategic Plan will be set out in the Strategic Risk Management Plan and operationally through the service planning process.

1.7        Other Implications

1.7.1    

IS THIS A KEY DECISION REPORT?                  THIS BOX MUST BE COMPLETED   x     Yes                                               No     If yes, this is a Key Decision because: ..   .     Wards/Parishes affected: ..   ..