Agenda item

For Overview and Scrutiny to comment on the Draft Business Plan 2020-21.

Members considered the Draft Business Plan 2020-21 presented by Councillor Boden.

Members asked questions, made comments and received responses as follows;

1.    Councillor Yeulett asked a question on behalf of Councillor Booth. He stated that the metrics of the Business Plan do not align with the priorities set therefore this makes it difficult to ensure the plan has been delivered. In particular, additional metrics are required in relation to; health and wellbeing, recycling rates and how these can be improved, how the Council successfully measures the promotion of culture and heritage, community safety, regeneration and inward investment (currently this only shows the number of planning applications) and the delivery of infrastructure (no milestones are given to measure against the projects discussed). Councillor Boden thanked Councillor Booth for his question and agreed that it is very important that these objectives can be successfully measured. He explained that in many cases there are no direct measures that can be quantified and welcomed member’s suggestions on this matter. He explained that the Council only have marginal control of certain outcomes for example; health and wellbeing are largely influenced by other organisations. He added that the Business Plan is concise in nature as it is a public document that shows performance data. He confirmed that recycling rates are contained within the report. In relation to infrastructure, he is open to alternative metrics available to measure the delivery of these projects.

2.    Councillor Yeulett asked how the Council measure the public’s quality of life and satisfaction with the district. He suggested the Overview and Scrutiny Panel could assist with investigating this further. Councillor Boden said whilst this would be useful, the Council have only a marginal impact on the health and wellbeing of residents, as much of the work is outside of the Council’s functions.

3.    Councillor Cornwell stated that the Business Plan only focuses on Council services in relation to the ‘Environment’ priority and asked that further focus is put on the wider aspect of the environment. For example the effects of air pollution, tree planting etc. which will in turn improve the health and wellbeing of residents. Councillor Boden said whilst this is a useful comment, the principle of the Business Plan is to show the Council’s direct impact on the environment and how it can directly effect this. He explained that individual Service Plans concentrate of the finer details of the wider impact on the environment. In relation to air quality, the Council do have a responsibility for the monitoring of air quality and whilst they can advise and lobby for further improvement, the impact we have on this is once again limited. Councillor Miss Hoy added that the air quality in the district is one of the best in the Country and the Council have legislative powers in place to monitor this, for example the implementation of Air Quality Management Zones. She informed members that there were previously three Air Quality Management Zones within the district however these are in process of being revoked due to significant improvements.

4.    Councillor Yeulett thanked Councillor Boden and Councillor Miss Hoy for their responses. He drew their attention to a recent Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) document which had highlighted March High Street as being an area of high pollution. Councillor Miss Hoy explained that there had been an issue with idling cars in March High Street however this was improving. Councillor Mrs French added that as part of the consultation for the March Transport Strategy, this had been highlighted as an issue and is being seriously considered. She confirmed that they were exploring short, medium and long term solutions to tackle the issue of pollution on March High Street.

5.    Councillor Mason asked if there was data available in relation to the footfall of visitors to ‘places of interest’ and events that could be used to measure the success of heritage and culture. Paul Medd confirmed that footfall is recorded for events such as ‘Golden Age Fayres’ and other Council run events however as many of the museums and historical buildings in the area are independently run, the Council do not have access to data in relation to these areas.

6.    Councillor Cornwell asked if the Council have the power or duty to provide electric charging points for vehicles in the district. Councillor Boden confirmed that he believes whilst the Council may have the powers to install these, it is not a legal requirement. He highlighted that the topic of electric vehicles is a much wider debate that faces significant dispute as to its wider detrimental effect on the environment.

7.    Councillor Cornwell asked for an update on the Biosphere application. Councillor Boden explained that the Council are offering appropriate support to partners however there is no update to report to members at this time.

8.    Councillor Yeulett queried the statistic on page 29 of the agenda pack in relation to 50% of the UK’s Grade 1 Agricultural Land being located in Fenland. Councillor Boden agreed that this statistic seemed too high and agreed to investigate this further.

9.    Councillor Yeulett highlighted that the Business Plan aims to promote and enable housing growth. He asked how the Council plan to achieve this and how the new Local Plan will assist. Councillor Boden explained that the Council have an annual target of new homes to be delivered which are set by Central Government. He explained that one of the key issues in the district is sites that have been identified for housing, are not being delivered by developers. He informed members that the Local Plan will consider options available to the Council in order to tackle this problem.

10.Councillor Miscandlon agreed and reiterated that one of the main reasons for non-delivery of housing lies with developers, which in turn effects the Council’s compliance with the national targets set. He hoped the new Local Plan will offer a solution to allow delivery of these sites.

11.Councillor Mason agreed and highlighted the need for appropriate infrastructure to support housing growth. Councillor Boden agreed and stated that both economic growth and infrastructure are required to support this too and assured members that the promotion of economic growth in the district will be an integral part of the new Local Plan.

12.Councillor Cornwell asked why the statistic showing ‘200 miles of beautiful waterways’ has been included in the Business Plan introduction (page 29 of the agenda pack) when the benefits of this are not discussed elsewhere in the report. Councillor Boden confirmed that this section of the Business Plan offers a broad outline of the Fenland area and includes additional unique and statistical facts that are not always included in the Business Plan.

13.Councillor Cornwell suggested that the Business Plan should include how the Council can take advantage of these statistics. Councillor Boden said that it was felt appropriate to keep the Business Plan to a concise length.

14.Councillor Miscandlon asked that all future reports considered by the Overview & Scrutiny Panel are kept concise and succinct. Paul Medd agreed to consider this further.

15.Councillor Tierney agreed and stated that the Business Plan has been developed with this in mind.

16.Councillor Tierney explained that the Council are currently undertaking many transformational projects and the impact of these will be shown in future Business Plans. He urged members to approach Cabinet with any comments or suggestions they have in relation to potential new projects.

The Overview and Scrutiny Panel commented on the Draft Business Plan 2020-21.