E.15/20
The
Leader introduced the report and drew attention to the fact that
this was the first time that the Executive had had the opportunity
to review the draft Plan, and, as outlined in the report presented
to the Joint Meeting of the Overview & Scrutiny (O&S) Panel
and Development Management Committee, work would continue to be led
by Members of the Executive under the themes set out in the current
strategic framework.
Therefore, the Leader requested that the Chairmen of the O&S
Panel and Development Management (DM) Committee consider
withdrawing recommendation 6 from
the Recommendations to Council as the establishment of a Working
Group was not considered appropriate.
Regarding recommendation 7, the Leader also clarified that it would
not be possible to request that a member of Team Devon provide a
Member Briefing, as Team Devon was a concept and not a specific
group. The Leader confirmed that Team Devon had long existed but
had strengthened during the pandemic and included other Local
Authorities and stakeholders from across Devon, excepting Plymouth
City Council and Torbay Council. The
Leader asked officers to provide an enhanced explanation of this in
the internal Members’ Bulletin publication this
week. It was hoped that this
explanation would result in the recommendation to Full Council on
24th September 2020 being withdrawn at that
meeting. The Executive thanked the
O&S Panel and DM Committee Members for their input to reach
this point.
Under Paragraph 13 of the presented agenda report, the Executive
then laid out their priorities:
The
Leader commented that improving the Council’s reputation was
key to the Recovery Plan as was ensuring that the Council worked at
all times for the well-being of residents and businesses in the
District.
The
Deputy Leader then stated his belief that the priorities for the
Business and Economy Theme were to understand and represent key
business sectors in South Hams to facilitate better business for
all to create business to business links to further best practice,
to provide a channel to lobby and influence, and to improve access
to Central Government and other support where the District Council
was best placed to help. The Council
should also wish to align its commercial strategy and land assets
to deliver projects with multiple objectives, such as regeneration,
revenue, housing and employment. In
addition, the Council should take an active role in promoting
tourism, working with partners and stakeholders across
Devon. Work with partners to support
the evolution of the ‘High Street’ creating place,
fostering change and putting the community first. This priority was added as a response to how
village shops had supported their communities through the
Covid pandemic. The Deputy Leader concluded that his final
objective was to work with partners to support green recovery and
the principle of building back better.
Theme 2 Place and Environment Lead Member, the Leader, stated
her view that the objectives under this theme should be to protect
and enhance the beauty and character of the built and natural
environment ...
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