To agree the activities within the corporate delivery plan 2019/20.

The cabinet member finance and corporate services introduced the item and summarised the priorities of the corporate plan and the key additions to the delivery plan for 2019/20:

·        Prevention activity to keep people well, including the use of technology;

·        A focus on the needs of people with dementia;

·        A focus on reducing Delayed Transfer of Care (DTOC) figures;

·        Developing edge of care services to prevent families needing higher levels of intervention;

·        Develop speech and language skills of under 5’s through education and training in early years settings;

·        Economic development such as the construction of student accommodation on Station Approach and development of Ross Enterprise Park;

·        Commence construction of the Southern Link Road and associated walking, cycling and public space improvements;

·        Develop proposals for the transport hub in Hereford City;

·        Progress developments within Hereford City such as improvements to the Edgar Street ground and a new multi-storey car park;

·        Continuing to rationalise accommodation for the council.

Group leaders were invited to express the views of their group. There was support for some elements of the plan, with individual groups having some different priorities. Concerns were expressed that:

·        The council should get best use from its property assets;

·        There should be more emphasis on the community as a great deal of support was already being provided by communities around the council and more was being requested of them, also reference to working with parish councils;

·        There was a lack of reference to the environment with climate change only implicitly mentioned, nothing about a revision of the core strategy or the procurement strategy.

It was confirmed that work had started on a climate change seminar for delivery as early as possible in the new administration. The council was also working to deliver natural flood management across seven catchments in the county, this was an example of looking at new ways of managing climate challenges.

The plan contained a wealth of initiatives to benefit the citizens of Herefordshire, reaffirmed the council’s commitment to vulnerable people, growing the economy and supporting education and higher education.

It was agreed that:

a)     the draft corporate delivery plan 2019/20 at Appendix 1 be approved.