To consider any recommendations of the Leader, Cabinet, Cabinet Member and Committees which require the approval of the Council. (The minutes for items A, B and C will be included in a supplement).

Amendments submitted in respect of items 7a and 7e are attached to the supplement.

In accordance with Standing Order 5(2), five matters were submitted for approval by the Council (see minutes 73 to 77 post).

A copy of the report, ‘Corporate Plan 2015-2016’ (which includes the future financial position), considered by Cabinet at its meeting on 27 November, is attached. The Council will be invited to consider and approve the recommendations from Cabinet. The Cabinet minute is attached.

The first matter requiring approval was in relation to the Corporate Plan and the recommendations of Cabinet at its meeting 27 November 2014 (minute 99 refers).

An amendment was moved by Councillor Phil Gilchrist and seconded by Councillor Dave Mitchell –

Council notes the sense of excitement and progress that the corporate plan intends to convey.

Council believes that this will be undermined if the controlling Labour Cabinet fails to pay due regard to the recent budget consultation.

Since the plan talks about ‘ensuring that our vision, priorities and spending decisions are based on sound evidence, thorough analysis and understanding of community needs’ there are a number of areas where the Cabinet needs to match such sentiments with its actions.

Therefore these policy areas will lead to public confusion and cynicism if the

Cabinet’s future actions fall short of the hopes expressed.

• The plan says “pupils should have access to a safe, healthy school environment”

but will this be the case if there are insufficient crossing patrols to achieve this.

• The plan says it will “ensure residents have access to green and open spaces” but will this be ensured if residents are deterred by parking charges at the country parks.

• The plan says it will “achieve warmer and safer homes” but will this be achieved if the Cabinet, as in recent months, cuts the Public Health budget for healthy homes.

• The plan says it will “build on the assets already in our communities” but the

assets will be reduced in our communities if the Cabinet does not respond to

public concern about library opening times and youth and play facilities.

• The plan says it is “empowering” local residents “in their communities” but the Cabinet will not have built up community resilience if reductions in the availability of grit and grit bins are brought in.

• This latest plan also states…

‘It is of the utmost importance that we safeguard our vulnerable people and

deliver our services with empathy at all times’. The decision on the future of the Lyndale School, currently awaited, will be a litmus test or touchstone of this statement and a test of whether ‘sound evidence’ and ‘thorough analysis’ is being applied in practice.

Council therefore is not in a position to endorse the plan until it is clear that the laudable sentiments of the plan are adhered to and demonstrated in practice, particularly by the Cabinet.

Following a debate and Councillor Phil Davies having replied, the amendment proposed by Councillor Gilchrist was put and lost (24:37) (Two abstentions).

The motion was put and carried (37:25) (One abstention)

Resolved (37:25) (One abstention) – That the recommendations contained within Cabinet minute 99 be approved.