The new administration had been very ambitious for Plymouth and its residents, and this would be reflected in the revised Corporate Plan. Key elements of the plan would be retained, including the city vision, which had been recognised and shared by staff, members and partners.

The Leader had asked for feedback from the parties and from independent Members before the plan would be considered by the Council next week because he would like it to reflect all of our aspirations for the Council.

The Council’s mission had changed to reflect the huge impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on the city, and our clear ambition to build back better, and make Plymouth a great place to live, work and visit.

We had revised the values to reflect more strongly the belief that Plymouth residents should be at the heart of everything we would do, and that we would be responsible to them for delivering the Council’s priorities and accountable for the impact of the actions taken.

The Leader hoped that the twin themes of unlocking the city’s potential, and caring for people and communities gave a clear direction for our priorities, and we would make sure that there are specific plans with measurable targets to deliver on each of the priorities that are set out in the plan and that we would report on them regularly.

We would be starting as we mean to go on, with the programme for the administration’s first 100 days, which would be the subject of a separate report on this Cabinet’s agenda.

The revised Corporate Plan had been clear about how we would deliver for Plymouth. To be a successful city, we would need to ensure that the Council gets the basics right, and delivers the quality of day-to-day services that Plymouth residents deserve. It had been more important than ever for the Council to provide value for money and that we would effectively manage issues such as potholes, weeds. Litter, graffiti, grass cutting and dog fouling

Councillor Patrick Nicholson advised that it is essential that we evolved the Corporate Plan rather than tear it up. A lot of the points within the Corporate Plan had been agreed cross party and key city priorities had been reflected in the Plan. This updated plan emphasises the City’s pledge to become a green city and have a green agenda. This would’ve been under more scrutiny over the last 18 months in order to deliver environmental change if it had not been for COVID. This report emphasises health and adult social care to seek to reduce the health inequalities, to help people feel safe and keep Children and Young people safe and protected and to be a Council for everyone. 

Cabinet unanimously agreed with the recommendations to:

1. Endorses the priorities and issues summarised in this report, and agrees that they will form the basis of the revised Corporate Plan 2021-2025

2. Agrees that the priorities adopted as part of the Council’s recovery and renewal framework are reflected in the revised Corporate Plan and associated delivery plans

3. Integrates the role of the Reset Board into its day to day business, ensuring that the Council’s continuing response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic receives appropriate political leadership