Issue - meetings

To consider the proposed priorities for Redditch Borough Council 2011 – 2014.

(Report to follow)

RECOMMENDED that

the Vision and priorities, as set out in Appendix 1 (Paragraphs 6.1 – 6.6) of the report, be reconfirmed and the focus for the forthcoming budget round, in line with the analysis of the Council’s national, regional and local context, be approved.

The Committee considered a report which set out the Council’s Vision and Priorities and strategic focus ready for the forthcoming round of budget preparation. It was essentially proposed to reconfirm the existing Vision and priorities.

Members considered the current content of the Plan and, further to a number of Member queries, what did not perhaps appear at first sight to be included. The Leader explained how various matters were sometimes covered under different headings, such as Housing under ‘Enterprising Community’ and Leisure under the overall Vision.

In terms of the Government’s initial pronouncements on the Comprehensive Spending Review, which had been issued earlier on the same day as the Committee meeting, Members acknowledged that it was far too soon to begin to interpret the possible impacts on the Council Plan. Further detailed consideration would be given to this in later reports.

During consideration of the Plan, specific mention was made of the recent successes achieved in performance at Redditch High Schools. Mindful of earlier less satisfactory ratings, the Committee was gratified to learn of the recent Ofsted successes at both Arrow Vale and Trinity High Schools.

The Leader agreed a further report was required to consider how resources might be refocused to support this area.

Finally, Members acknowledged the usefulness of the ‘Budget Juries’ used in the Plan preparation processes; thanked the participants; and expressed a desire to build further on this initiative.

RECOMMENDED that

the Vision and priorities, as set out at Appendix 1 (Paragraphs 6.1 – 6.6) of the report, be reconfirmed and the focus for the forthcoming budget round, in line with the analysis of the Council’s national, regional and local context, be approved.