Report of the Chief Executive is attached.

Contact: Clive Wright          Tel: 01743 257736

It was proposed by the Leader, Councillor P Nutting and seconded by the Deputy Leader, Councillor S Charmley that the report of the Chief Executive, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes, and the recommendations contained therein be received and agreed.

The Leader commented on the benefits of the recent Corporate Peer Challenge whilst recognising the challenges that would be taken forward as a result of the process. Council noted that the process was not an inspection but was a process focussed on improvement and to complement and add value to the Council’s own performance and improvement processes.

Council recognised the positive points highlighted in the feedback together with the areas where the Council could make improvements.  Members found the report to be of interest and noted in particular the eleven recommendations from the Peer Team that were detailed in the report.

Areas highlighted by Members included the importance of communicating its Vision and Strategy, improving communication and dialogue between Cabinet and lead Officers, succession planning, greater investment in Broadband, the level of risk to meet savings targets, the need for a whole Council approach, clear priorities for capital investment, review of the Local Plan with an accompanying green infrastructure, and Scrutiny Committee leadership. 

The honesty and courage in bringing the report to the attention of the Council in a public arena was applauded as a positive step; the significant challenges within the report were duly recognised.  The Deputy Leader, Councillor S Charmley, stressed that the report was largely positive, risks and opportunities had to be continually measured, ‘challenge’ was part of the process and a positive outlook for the future was being fostered.  In bringing the debate to a close, the Leader, Councillor P Nutting, noted the points that had been raised and concluded that the culture of the Council was changing.

            RESOLVED:

i)             That the Corporate Peer Challenge report be endorsed.

ii)            That the recommendations made by the Corporate Peer Challenge Team be agreed.

iii)           That Members take part in a workshop session following the Council meeting on 26 July 2018 to consider the recommendations and specific areas for action and prioritise them.

iv)           That progress in delivering agreed and prioritised recommendations be incorporated into the quarterly corporate performance management reports.

To receive such communications as the Chairman, Speaker, Leader and Head of Paid Service may desire to lay before the Council.

One Minute Silence

‘Remembering Srebrenica’ is the UK based charity dedicated to educate the public and commemorate the genocide with communities in Britain. Srebrenica Memorial Day was on the 11th July and many Councils across the country mark the genocide. In July 1995, over 8372 men and boys were killed in the worst atrocity since World War 2.  

Vote of Thanks

A vote of thanks to the retiring Chief Executive of Severn Hospice, Mr Paul Cronin after 15 years’ service to the organisation.

Chairman’s Engagements

The Chairman referred Members to the list of official engagements that she had carried out during the period 17 May to 25 July 2018 which had been circulated at the meeting.

One Minute Silence

Council stood for one minute in silence in recognition of the Srebrenica Memorial Day to mark the genocide that occurred in July 1995 when over 8372 men and boys were killed in the worst atrocity since World War 2.

Vote of Thanks

The Chairman proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring Chief Executive of the Severn Hospice, Mr Paul Cronin, after 15 years’ service to the organisation.  Mr Cronin, present at the meeting, stated that he was moved and humbled by the Council’s recognition and stressed that the staff and volunteers at the hospice must also be recognised for their ongoing exemplary work. 

MJ Award

The Chairman drew attention to the recent success of the Council’s Housing team who had beaten off competition from four other authorities to win the MJ Award for the innovation in finance category for the Council’s buy to let scheme.  Council was pleased to recognise this achievement.