Issue - meetings

The Leader presented the report which set out the vision and aspirations of the Council’s administration in its revised corporate plan. Cllr Andrew Garratt presented an amendment, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report, which was duly seconded and accepted.

Following debate, a vote was taken and it was:

RESOLVED:

THAT the Corporate Plan as set out in Appendix 1 incorporating the revisions tabled in Appendix 2 be approved and adopted.

To approve the corporate plan as set out in Appendix 1 and recommend its adoption by Full Council.

The Leader summarised the Plan for the next four years, with the aspirations and aims within each Cabinet member’s portfolio. There were three key areas for action, with 50 aims forming the basis for a new direction for the council. It would be important to translate the aims into positive actions for residents, businesses and the island as a whole.

In response to a question from Cllr Brodie regarding the apparent lack of action to reduce poverty and inequality in the most deprived areas of the island, the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Lifelong Skills reported that two actions had already been taken – twelve providers had received funding from the Holiday Activity Fund to provide food and activities for children of the poorest families, and the Household Support Fund, which had been expanded to include those in fuel poverty. The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health would discuss further with Cllr Brodie regarding the list of suggestions he had provided.

In response to a further query regarding affordable housing, and how it balanced with decisions of the Planning Committee, it was confirmed that Vectis housing would be delivery approximately 400 homes in smaller developments over the next 2-3 years. The Leader confirmed that meetings had also taken place with other housing providers.

It was agreed that the plan would be a living document. Some suggestions were made regarding further detail which could be added before being adopted by Full Council, in particular the reversing of cuts to the Local Council Tax Support Scheme.

This item had been considered under a previous agenda item and no further comments were made.