The Council’s current Corporate Plan (CP) covered the period 2012-21 and work had commenced to identify and agree a new CP due not only to the expiry of the old CP but the political, social and economic changes that had occurred since 2019.  Cabinet had provided clear direction by way of 10 strategic objectives that were the guiding principles in the new draft CP (Appendix A to the report), as follows:

•           Climate emergency

•           Financial stability

•           Increase the supply of affordable home throughout the district

•           Housing list reduction

•           Housing

•           Empowered organisation

•           A fairer society

•           Development of Rother’s economy

•           Open Council

•           A town council for Bexhill on Sea

There had been excellent collaborative work between Cabinet Members and senior officers in producing the draft CP which had clear deliverable actions to achieve the CP’s aims, rather than aspirations which were not achievable.  Cabinet agreed the draft CP 2020-2027 for a 6-week period of consultation to ensure residents, statutory partners, voluntary partners and interested parties had an opportunity to comment on whether the Council had identified the correct vision for the district.  Details of the Consultation Plan was set out at Appendix B to the report.  Following a period of analysis of the results a final draft CP would be presented to Cabinet in May for onward recommendation to Council.  The final agreed CP would provide a clear direction of travel for the Council and officers to work towards and focus on the clear aims and objectives of the Council.

RESOLVED: That:

1)    the draft Corporate Plan be approved for consultation purposes, as submitted; and

2)    the timetable for public consultation as set out at Appendix B to the report be agreed.