Issue - meetings

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive and Leader regarding the draft Strategic Plan 2015-2020.

RESOLVED:

(1)  That the draft Strategic Plan 2015-2020 be approved for
  submission to Council.
 
(2)  To RECOMMEND to COUNCIL: 

  (a)  That the draft Strategic Plan 2015-2020 be approved; and

  (b)  That delegated authority be given to the Chief Executive, in
    consultation with the Leader, to make minor amendments to
     the document as required.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Mrs Blackmore, introduced the draft Strategic Plan 2015/2020 and explained that the two priorities and seven specific issues had been agreed following consultation with residents through road-shows and online correspondence. As a result of the consultation a clean and safe environment and transport improvements have been identified as the top two priorities for the council. Efforts had been made to ensure that the document was streamlined, easier to read and user friendly.

It was noted that:

·  Where respondents had asked a question face to face, or through correspondence and provided contact details, a reply had been provided.

·  Members expressed appreciation of the mission statement ‘Putting People First’.

·  There had been a large response in favour of the clean and safe environment priority from Headcorn respondents. The Leader of the Council explained that this may be due in part to the community having experienced an incident not long in advance of the consultation which had created a focus on community safety.

A number of suggestions were made for inclusion within the Strategic Plan which aimed to show the link between the leisure and retail offer and the town centre, give emphasis to the heritage of the Borough, highlight the variety of markets and festivals offered across the Borough, and make reference to the river.

Cllr Mrs Blackmore left the meeting at 7.20 p.m following the approval of the recommendations.

RESOLVED:

That the Draft Strategic Plan be noted, and the following amendments referenced in discussion between Members, the Leader of the Council and Head of Policy and Communications be requested:

1.  A reference to be made to the river within the ‘Ensuring there are good leisure and cultural attractions’ priority.

2.  Under the heading Respecting the Character of our Borough, delete  ‘which aside from Tovil are rural’ at the end of the second sentence, and for the third point under ‘We Mean’ be amended to read ‘Respecting our Heritage and Natural Environment’

3.  Under ‘Ensuring there are good Leisure and Cultural Attractions’, to include reference to the river and for the sentence to read ‘…a well-used leisure centre, a castle, various markets and a variety of festivals and events held throughout the year and across the Borough’.

4.  Under ‘Enhancing the Appeal of the Town Centre for Everyone’ to include the phrase ‘for leisure’ after ‘popular place’ and before ‘to live’ in the last sentence.

5.  In the background data provided, the results of academic year 2011/2012 to be replaced and updated with the most recently available data, and for the graphs to be made larger with the colour labelling made clearer.

6.  For Maidstone’s rating within the ‘Halifax Best Places to Live’ survey to be referenced  in the introduction to the Strategic Plan 2015/2020.

That the Draft Strategic Plan 2015-2020 be approved for consultation with Strategic Leadership and Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee prior to approval for submission to Council on 25 February 2015.

Members considered the Report of the Chief Executive relating to the Draft Strategic Plan 2015-2020.

DECISION MADE:

That the Draft Strategic Plan 2015-2020 be approved for consultation with Strategic Leadership and Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee prior to approval for submission to Council on 25 February 2015.

For further information regarding this decision, please follow this link:

http://services.maidstone.gov.uk/meetings/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=893