Issue - meetings

A copy of the draft Corporate Strategy can be found at agenda item 12.

Dave Carr, Head of Policy, Information and Commissioning (Start Well), presented the draft of the Corporate Strategy. The strategy set out the future direction for the County Council, covering a timeframe to 2021 and beyond. The Core Strategy document now presented would provide the starting point setting out the core purpose, vision, values, approach and evidence base which would be used to inform and guide the council's actions and future prioritisation of resources.

It was reported that the Core Strategy had been updated to take account of responses received during the consultation period, and which were shared with Cabinet, including a response from Chorley Council inadvertently omitted from the initial papers. In general, the responses had been favourable, although the opportunity had been taken to clarify and simplify some of the language used and to enhance the focus on the financial strategy. In addition, it was reported that the evidence base had been refreshed to take into account the most up to date data.

In considering the matter, the Cabinet reemphasised the rationale behind the Service Planning Areas and emphasised that there was recognition that people would use services based outside their own area, where transport or community links existed.

Resolved: That Full Council be recommended to agree the updated Corporate Strategy as presented.

A copy of the draft Corporate Strategy can be found at agenda item 10f.

Dave Carr, Head of Policy, Information and Commissioning (Start Well) presented the draft Corporate Strategy.  An Equality Analysis was presented at Appendix D to the report.

The Strategy set out the future direction for the County Council, covering a timeframe to 20121 and beyond.  It would form a framework setting out:

•  The council's vision, values, high level priorities and overall approach

•  The council's evidence base

•  Thematic strategies, such as our financial strategy

•  The council's risk, quality and performance framework

•  Service delivery plans

•  Annual budgets.

It was reported that the Core Strategy had been updated to take account of responses received during a wide consultation exercise including a response from Chorley Council which had been inadvertently omitted from Appendix 'C' to the report.  A copy of the response from Chorley Council was circulated at the meeting. 

Members were informed that key changes to the Core Strategy included a greater emphasis on the council's financial strategy, as well as a strengthening of the council's aim to work with partners across all sectors and a refresh of the evidence base to take account of the most up to date data.  The opportunity had also been taken to simplify the language used to describe the council's priorities.

It was noted that the Cabinet would be asked to consider and recommend the updated Corporate Strategy to Full Council for formal approval.  The Committee agreed that the County Council should look to develop different service models having regards to local needs.  Members also agreed that the County Council should work closely with all sectors including District Councils, local communities and organisations in the development and delivery of these models.

Resolved:  That the recommendation set out in the report to Cabinet be noted and that apart from the above–mentioned observations no other comments or suggested alternative recommendations be made.