To agree to the current draft Corporate Plan for 2005-08 being used immediately as the basis for the preparation of the Council’s Annual Operating Plan and directorate and service plans for 2005-06.

THAT (a)        the draft Corporate Plan for 2005-08 should be used immediately as the basis for the preparation of the Council’s Annual Operating Plan and directorate and service plans;

            (b)       the final versions of all these plans should reflect budget decisions and the Local Public Service Agreement (LPSA2G) between the Council and the UK Government; and

(c)        the proposed final version of the Corporate Plan be considered in February, prior to its approval by Council in March 2005.

The Corporate Plan establishes the Council’s priorities and what will be done to achieve them.  Its success depends on an Annual Operating Plan for the Council as a whole, and directorate and service plans, carrying the Corporate Plan objectives into detailed effect year by year.  The Corporate Plan and the Annual Operating Plan for 2005-06 will need to be approved by the Council in March.  In the meantime, there is a need to use the draft Corporate Plan to drive the preparation of the detailed plans for 2005-06. 

Cabinet has decided what kind of Corporate Plan it wants.  In agreeing this draft Plan it is determining its priorities and rejecting alternative options.  It will, nonetheless, be able to review the options in considering the proposed final Plan in February.