Agenda item

Development of the New Strategic Plan

Minutes:

Mrs Alison Broom, the Chief Executive and Mrs Angela Woodhouse, the Head of Policy, Communications and Governance presented a report on the development of the new Strategic Plan.

The Committee was asked to consider the draft vision, objectives and outcomes as set out in the report which would also be presented to the other Service Committees during October.

 

The Committee made the following comments:-

 

Draft Vision/Objectives

 

Suggested Changes/Actions

Comments/Clarity of Language

Draft Vision – “A borough of opportunity that works for everyone that residents are proud to be part of

“A borough of opportunity that works for everyone and that residents are proud to be part of”

Something that embraces all of our communities e.g. diversity, visitors, workforces

Objective 1 – Great Environmental Quality

The borough’s bio-diversity and green corridors are improved

“The borough’s bio-diversity is improved”

The term ‘green corridors’ does not make provision for the waterways.  Therefore this should be incorporated into the sub-text as the green and blue. 

More residents participate in taking care of the environment

No change

 

The carbon footprint of the borough is reduced

 No change

Officers to feature trees more prominently in the sub-text The provision of more trees came out of the Member workshop and should be in the sub-text

Everyone has access to high quality and attractive parks and green spaces

No change

 

More waste is treated locally and used as valuable resource

“More waste is treated locally and used as a valuable resource

Textual change

A borough which is recognised as being clean and well cared for

No change

 

Objective 2 – Well Connected Safe and Empowered Communities

A borough where more people feel safe

Officers to change the wording

Members felt that the wording as it stood suggested that people did not feel safe already.  Officers to find a better form of words to reflect intention.

 

The harm caused by crime and anti-social behaviour is reduced

No change

 

More investment in community infrastructure

No change

Members felt that the Council needed to be creative in the use of funding activities not just infrastructure

A diverse range of community activity enabled by the Council

No change

 

A borough with more neighbourhood plans

No change

 

Community creativity is encouraged and enabled

No change

Inclusion of use of S106 money as a how under outcomes.

 

 

 

Community based outcomes could be simplified to one or two outcomes

Objective 3 – Embracing Growth

New places are created that are well designed and connected

No change

That this means the development of  infrastructure first should be created first should be more explicit

The Council leads the master planning and invests in the creation of new places

No change

 

All new homes are built to a high quality of environmental and renewable building standards

No change

The housing need is met for all

No change

 Officers to be more explicit about the difference between this and a decent home.

Communities are engaged in planning growth of their place

No change

 

Objective 4 – Renowned for Heritage and Culture (should be changed to “Renowned for our Heritage and Culture)

The value of tourism is increased

That this should be under the objective for a thriving economy

And/or use of heritage culture and arts to regenerate the economy

Well established and promoted cultural quarter

No change

Make a judgement on whether we mention the Museum and others

 

A destination that hosts high quality festivals and events and celebrates diversity

“A destination that promotes quality festivals and events and celebrates diversity, or put ‘a borough that celebrates its diversity’ into one of its own

This incorporates the smaller events and takes focus off us having to start

Increased resident participation in cultural and heritage activities

“Increased participation in arts, leisure and sports and cultural heritage activities across all age groups

Need to incorporate all activities

 

 

Inclusion of new outcome ‘ A borough which celebrates its diversity’ to reflect all of maidstone’s communities

Everyone knows we are the County town of Kent

Officers to reword to incorporate Maidstone’s cultural offer across the borough

Officers to speak to Head of Economic Development and Regeneration for a suitable change of words

 

 

 

It was noted that the museum wasn’t included in here but other sites were included elsewhere.  Officers will review and decide that either all sites are included or no sites at all.

 

 

 

On the whole the Objective does not have enough emphasis on getting the people in the borough to have a pride and sense of place

 

Objective 5 – A Decent Home for Everyone (needs to change to “A Good Home for Everyone”)

Homelessness and rough sleeping is prevented

No change

 

Residents have a decent home

Officers to change the wording, homes need to be built fit for purpose – pick up the spirit of a ‘good’ home Members felt that a decent home did not illustrate this point well enough

The borough has a range of housing type and tenure to meet residents needs

No change

 

The accommodation needs of the Gypsy and Traveller community are met

No change

 

We have enabled and delivered affordable housing

No change

 

Objective 6 – Better Transport Systems

The transport system supports the growth in homes and jobs

The growth in homes and jobs are supported by an integrated transport system

Members felt that this needed to be more clearly defined

Sustainable travel options are invested in and improved

“Sustainable travel options are improved”

Take out the word invested as it could be construed by the public that the Council would be providing the investment.

 

Investment should be included in the how.

Greater joined up decision making for transport

“More productive  joined up decision making for transport, working with partners

To give greater clarity that the Council works with partners to achieve this.

 

Cycling to be included in the how.

The air quality impacts of transport are reduced

No change

 

Objective 7 – People Fulfil their Potential

Deprivation is reduced

No change

 

Skills levels and earning potential of our residents are raised

Officers to specify adults and children to give more emphasise to education.

 

Overall education is missing.

Health and well-being inequalities are reduced

No change

 

Social mobility is improved

No change

 

Objective 8 – A Thriving Economy

Business start ups and survival rates are improved and we are the best in Kent

 

Officers to reword the outcome to change the phrase ‘survival rate’

 

Quality apprenticeships should be reflected in the how.

 

Volunteering to be reflected in the how.

A revitalised town centre

“A revitalised county town and villages

 

Improved high speed broadband

“Improved high speed broadband and future technology embraced digital infrastructure”

 

The Kent Medical Campus is delivered

For further consideration

Members were not clear why this should be specifically mentioned and wanted this to be revisited in the round

 

 

 

RESOLVED:  That the comments on the draft vision, objectives and outcomes from this Committee be presented to Policy and Resources Committee as part of the development of the new Strategic Plan.

 

Voting:  Unanimous

 

 

Supporting documents: