Meeting documents

-       To consider the report and draft plan.

The Chair invited Leader of the Council, Cllr Bill Revans to introduce the report. Cllr Revans also introduced the Strategic Manager – Commissioning Development, Sunita (Sam) Mills.

The following key points were highlighted:

·       New Somerset Council Plans sets out ambition for greener, more sustainable Somerset that is healthier and more caring, and a flourishing and more resilient county.

·       Cross-cutting values have been identified and form a key component.

·       Engagement with partners and other stakeholders now complete and feedback being carefully considered.

·       Plan is high level vision to be supported by forthcoming Business Plan with more detail on how to deliver the Council Plan’s priorities.

·       Overarching commitment to build a fairer, greener, more flourishing Somerset that cares for the vulnerable.

Member comments/questions were invited:

-       Whilst 24 digital access to advice and support welcomed, request for other means (i.e. postal address) also to be included. Officer agreed.

-       Request to strengthen commitment to sustainable development to ensure all decisions are taken in this context and to identify energy, as well as transport, as a key driver in aspiration to carbon neutrality. Officer agreed and also agreed to link the Plan to the Climate Emergency Statement.

-       Request to continue commitment to Active Travel. Officer agreed.

-       Welcomed commitment to collaboration (both internal and partner) to identify needs across whole organisation for joined-up approach to service delivery.

-       A Councillor asked if new directorates deliberately align with areas of Council Plan. Officer confirmed and stated structure designed to identify ownership but not exclusivity of service areas, and also to encourage cross-directorate working.

-       Support for the most vulnerable welcomed and request for voice of children to be stronger.

-       Budget commitment to LCNs deemed essential if to play intended key role.

-       A Councillor asked if modest Public Health budget was sufficient to achieve aims of a healthy and caring Somerset in terms of preventative work. Officer confirmed budget would likely be insufficient but that the commitment to collaborative working would assist service delivery.

-       Suggestion of incorporation of Public Health (PH) portfolio across all services with suggested PH Ambassadors with other services officers upskilled with PH knowledge.

-       Request to include backbench members in consultations and also children where there can be high levels of ‘eco-anxiety’. Suggestion of junior version of Plan.

-       Request for inclusion of town-centre regeneration and coastal communities to address to address flourishing and resilient aims.

In summary:

-       Members felt the message could be more forceful in terms of sustainable development. Members requested the Plan be as inclusive as possible. Ambitious views of Plan were welcomed. All present were broadly happy with the draft Plan.

The scrutiny committee reviewed the draft Council Plan as set out in appendix A and provided feedback.