Agenda item

A new vision for the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area has been developed with Cabinet Members and senior leaders, following a change in administration after local elections in May 2023.

The new vision, referred to as the Corporate Strategy, replaces the Big Plan and previous Corporate Strategy, setting a single set of key priorities and ambitions for the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area. Both the people and place agendas are balanced, and  commitments are made to sustainability, equality and diversity.

A draft high level summary of a new Corporate Strategy was the subject of wider engagement and consultation with residents and stakeholders, giving the opportunity to influence the Council’s priorities prior to adoption.

On the whole there was support for the themes identified and feedback has been taken on board, with a revised version presented in Appendix 2 for recommendation for adoption. A summary of the findings from the consultation programme are detailed in Appendix 1.

The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Dynamic Places presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the Corporate Strategy for BCP Council is a vital strategic document that identifies the vision, key ambitions and priorities for the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area for at least the next four years, and that it also demonstrated the Council’s commitments to sustainability, equality and diversity.

Cabinet was informed that the Corporate Strategy simplifies the strategic framework of the Council, helping to re-stablish the direct linkbetween the budget and maintain the Council’s focus on the key priorities for delivery, and that in addition the Corporate Strategy creates a vital component for policy development, service planning and performance management, enhancing good governance and transparency in decision-making.

Cabinet was advised that a new vision for the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area had been developed with Cabinet Members and senior leaders, following a change in administration after local elections in May 2023, and that the new vision, referred to as the Corporate Strategy, replaces the Big Plan and previous Corporate Strategy, setting a single set of key priorities and ambitions for the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area where both the people and place agendas are balanced, and  commitments are made to sustainability, equality and diversity.

Cabinet was informed that a draft high level summary of a new Corporate Strategy was the subject of wider engagement and consultation with residents and stakeholders, giving the opportunity to influence the Council’s priorities prior to adoption, and that on the whole there was support for the themes identified and feedback had been taken on board, with a revised version presented in Appendix 2 for recommendation for adoption, and a summary of the findings from the consultation programme detailed in Appendix 1.

Cabinet expressed thanks to the officers for their work on the roadshows and the valuable engagement.

It is RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a)            Notes the consultation report, summarising feedback from residents and stakeholders;

(b)           Recommends the revised Corporate Strategy High level Summary for adoption by Council

(c)            Recommends to Council that the Corporate Strategy and supporting Performance Management Framework continues to be aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Purpose Goals.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Dynamic Places

Reason

The Corporate Strategy for BCP Council is a vital strategic document that identifies the vision, key ambitions and priorities for the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area for at least the next four years. It also demonstrated the Council’s commitments to sustainability, equality and diversity.

It will simplify the strategic framework of the Council, helping to re-establish the direct link between the budget and maintain the Council’s focus on the key priorities for delivery.

In addition the Corporate Strategy creates a vital component for policy development, service planning and performance management, enhancing good governance and transparency in decision-making.