To approve the Council’s Revenue Budget and Capital Investment Plan Budget for 2016/2017 including the setting of fees and charges for Council services, the Council’s Corporate Asset Management Strategy and Capital Strategy.

(i)            That the Council’s objections in relation to the Corporate Plan be accepted;  and

(ii)          That the Council be recommended to revise the current Corporate Plan under ‘Use reducing resources to best affect’ as set out below (changes shown in bold red text):

Use reducing resources to best effect

Thinking for the future

We will continue to ensure we are working to maximise efficiencies, ensuring every pound and every hour of work is well spent but the scale of the budget gap means this alone will not be enough. Therefore we will need to think and act differently:

•We may stop providing some services.

Including reducing the Connections Service in Torquay and Brixham, but maintaining an appointments system for face to face customer service presence for one day per week in Brixham and Torquay libraries,  with any further changes made to the locations of face to face customer service being determined by Full Council.

To respond to the Council’s objections to the current Corporate Plan.  The Executive Lead for Business accepts the Council’s objections and presents a revision to the Corporate Plan accordingly.

None

The Executive Lead for Business’ response to the Council’s objection will be considered at the Council meeting on 25 February 2016.

At the adjourned Council meeting on 11 February 2016, the Council formally objected to the current Corporate Plan on the basis that the following should be included:

The Council will maintain a face-to-face customer service presence in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham for at least part of the week and before any change is made to the locations of face-to-face customer service a report be presented to Council for approval.

In accordance with paragraph F4.9 Standing Orders – Budget and Policy Framework, the Council required the Executive Lead for Business (as the Mayor had a pecuniary interest in the matter) to consider this objection by 10 am on 19 February 2016 and either:

a)       submit a revision of the Corporate Plan with the reasons for any amendments to the Council for its consideration;  or

b)       inform the Council of any disagreement that the Executive has with any of the Council’s objections and the Executive’s reasons for any such disagreement.

As the Mayor has an interest in this matter, the Executive Lead for Business has considered the recommendation of the Council and his proposed response is set out in this Record of Decision.

The Mayor has a pecuniary interest in this matter and has delegated his decision making powers to the Executive Lead for Business in respect of Connections.