Issue - meetings

The Council is asked to consider and note the latest draft of the West Sussex County Council Reset Plan, in the light of a report by the Leader.

59.1     The Leader moved the report on the latest draft of the West Sussex County Council Reset Plan (pages 41 to 54).

59.2     Resolved –

That the first iteration of the Reset Plan be noted.

The Cabinet is asked to agree the recommendations as set out in the attached key decision report.

Scrutiny Committee Chairman and each of the main Minority Group Leaders will be invited to speak for up to three minutes on the WSCC Reset Plan.

The Cabinet will then discuss the report and proposals prior to taking any decision.

Following consideration of the report, Cabinet resolved to:

1.   Approve the first iteration of the Reset Plan for further consideration by the County Council at its December meeting

2.   Approve the timeline for ongoing development of the Reset Plan

3.   Invite each of the scrutiny committees to consider in January 2021 how the Reset Plan’s measures and performance information can be set and used to enable effective scrutiny of the Council’s aims and agreed outcomes relevant to their areas of business; and to invite Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee to provide guidance to the scrutiny committees in terms of principles and methods for effective scrutiny of performance to assist them in that task.

The call-in deadline is 3 December 2020.

48.1     Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive. The report was introduced by Becky Shaw, Chief Executive who highlighted the focus on areas with the greatest impact and were outlined in 4 priority areas:

·       Keeping people safe from vulnerable situations

·       A sustainable and prosperous economy

·       Helping people and communities to fulfil their potential

·       Making the best use of resources.

48.2     Views on the plan had been sought from staff, partners, the public, and a session for all members had also taken place. The next stage in the plan would be to develop the key performance indicators which measured outcomes against the aims.

48.3     Cllr Joy Dennis, Chairman of the Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee noted the plan was dependent on a number of parts including other programmes of activity within the council. The Committee would consider the plan in December and, with the scrutiny committees, look to develop ways of scrutinising performance measures.

48.4     Cllr Dr James Walsh, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group felt there was a disconnect between the reset plan and the Medium Term Financial Strategy which would mean a reducing commitment to vulnerable groups who relied on certain services.

48.5     Cllr Michael Jones, Leader of the Labour Group questioned if the reset plan was achievable at the current time and noted the proposed changes to services which he felt were not in line with the aspirations in the plan.

48.6     Resolved –

1.   That Cabinet approves the first iteration of the Reset Plan for further consideration by the County Council at its December meeting

2.   Approves the timeline for ongoing development of the Reset Plan

3.   Invites each of the scrutiny committees to consider in January 2021 how the Reset Plan’s measures and performance information can be set and used to enable effective scrutiny of the Council’s aims and agreed outcomes relevant to their areas of business; and to invite Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee to provide guidance to the scrutiny committees in terms of principles and methods for effective scrutiny of performance to assist them in that task.