Recommendations:

Executive Members are asked to recommend to the Chief Executive Officer that using his delegated emergency powers he:

i.     Approve the draft Council Plan and forward it to the County Council for approval at its meeting on 16 February 2022, and

ii      Seek County Council’s authorisation to enable him to make any necessary changes to the text, including reflecting decisions made by the County Council on the budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy, and updated performance data.

Considered–

A report ofthe AssistantDirectorfor Policy, Partnerships & Communitiesseeking Executive agreement for the submission of a refreshed Council Plan to the County Council for adoption.

County Councillor David Chance introduced the report, confirming that this year, only a light refresh had been undertaken rather than a full re-write as it would only be for the last year of the County Council, and therfore it was not the right time for major change in content and format.  He also confirmed that the ambitions, priorities, approach and principles all remained relevant and appropriate.

It was noted that the Plan emphasised the importance of laying strong foundations for the new council and working together with the districts, and covered the support provided throughout the pandemic. It also included

·           A new section on ‘Delivering Local Government Reorganisation’ which set out how the County Council would work together with the district and borough councils to deliver the new council.

·           The opportunity for a devolution deal for North Yorkshire and York.

·           Contained additional information on COVID-19 including its impact on the County Council, its partners and communities, with recovery plans reflected in all the high level objectives.

·           The County Council’s response to the recommendations made by the Rural Commission.

·           The Carbon Reduction Plan and Equality Objectives to ensure they were part of the corporate strategy and monitored through the corporate performance framework.

All members voted in favour of the recommendations in the report, and it was

Resolved– That it be recommended to the Chief Executive Officer that using his delegated emergency powers he:

i.     Approve the draft Council Plan and forward it to the County Council for approval at its meeting on 16 February 2022, and

ii      Seek County Council’s authorisation to enable him to make any necessary changes to the text, including reflecting decisions made by the County Council on the budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy, and updated performance data.