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 on the Plan for Shropshire – Council Plan 2019/20 to 2021/22, a copy of which is attached to the signed Minutes and the recommendations contained therein be received and agreed.

Referring to the section entitled ‘Equality and Social Inclusion’, a Member commented on the effect of welfare reductions in Shropshire with those most in need being adversely affected.  Another Member added that Council Tax was being collected from those who could ill afford the payments.

Considering ‘Sustainable Places and Communities’ a Member commented on the omission of consideration of the rural areas.  Another Member added that there was a need to include a stronger message to build a whole county approach to grow businesses in the rural areas.  Echoing these concerns, another Member added that there was a huge void in the Corporate Plan as drafted and that there was a lack of detail regarding the rural areas; a proper Rural Strategy was needed to support small businesses in the rural areas. Other issues affecting rural areas were raised including Broadband connections, mobile phone reception, public transport and transport issues generally.

Whilst acknowledging the points raised, the Deputy Leader stressed that there were initiatives being developed and taking place in the countryside; the document before Members was a high-level strategy document.  The Leader agreed and stressed that rurality was fully understood, and he acknowledged the need to support small businesses.  Whilst improvements were being developed, he urged Members not to lose sight of the excellent initiatives both ongoing and in development.

RESOLVED: 

i)     That Part 1 and Part 2 of the Corporate Plan, be approved;

ii)    That the Corporate Plan be annually refreshed alongside the Financial Strategy and be subject to a complete review and rewrite every three years simultaneously with the Financial Strategy.