The Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee met to discuss the proposed [Council Plan 2025-35][Council Plan - Report.pdf], raising questions and concerns before it goes to cabinet and full council for approval. Councillors discussed topics such as the plan's key performance indicators (KPIs), its consultation process, and how it would address issues such as climate change and inequality. The committee agreed to refer their suggestions to the cabinet for consideration.

Council Plan 2025-35

The main item under discussion was the proposed [Council Plan 2025-35][Council Plan - Report.pdf], intended to guide the council's activities and priorities for the next decade. Councillor Ian Thorne, Leader of the Council, introduced the plan, emphasising the importance of financial well-being and thanking officers for their work on the KPIs. He noted the plan was designed to be a 'living process', subject to annual review and adaptation.

Key Priorities and Principles

The plan outlines three core principles:

• Together
• Fair
• Open

These principles are intended to guide the council's culture and way of working.

The plan also sets out nine priority areas:

1. Supporting people throughout their lives
2. Ensuring safe and resilient communities through safeguarding and enforcement
3. Delivering opportunities for our young people and a child-friendly Wiltshire
4. Enhancing and protecting our environment for future generations
5. Promoting healthier lives
6. Helping the economy work for everyone
7. Creating well maintained, safer roads, and more accessible, greener transport (including public transport)
8. Building homes and infrastructure fit for our communities
9. Making culture for everyone

Consultation Feedback

The council conducted a consultation that received over 1,000 responses. The [Our Wiltshire Plan Consultation][Appendix 1 - Our Wiltshire Plan Consultation.pdf] report detailed the findings, which included a desire for more localised decision-making, support for community groups, and transparent communication.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

A significant part of the discussion focused on the KPIs that would be used to measure the plan's success. The [Corporate KPIs][Appendix 3 - Corporate KPIs.pdf] document listed the proposed metrics, which were designed to align with the plan's priorities and be within the council's control.

Select Committee Questions

Select committee chairs were given the opportunity to ask questions about the plan.

Children's Select Committee

Councillor Laura Mayes, chair of the Children's Select Committee, praised the plan but raised concerns about transport for young people, the strength of language used in the plan, and the representation of young people in the Cultural Strategy. She also questioned whether 1,000 consultation responses were sufficient.

Councillor John Atkey responded, agreeing with the need to strengthen language around safeguarding and to include young people in the Cultural Strategy. He also clarified the council's approach to school places, multi-academy trusts, and the Fuel programme.

Environment Select Committee

Councillor Nick Murry, chair of the Environment Select Committee, said that the plan lacked detail and had significant omissions, including active travel, net zero targets, and green jobs. He asked how the council would ensure the principles of 'together, open, and fair' were consistently applied and measured.

Councillor Thorne responded, stating that the principles would be embedded in the council's culture and that the overview and scrutiny process would be critical for monitoring progress. He also addressed concerns about the consultation process and the plan's reflection of manifesto commitments.

Councillor Adrian Foster addressed the points raised on active travel and net zero housing, stating that active travel was a priority and that the council was working to include it in planning decisions. He also acknowledged the challenges of achieving net zero housing, particularly in social housing.

Health Select Committee

Councillor Jane Davies, chair of the Health Select Committee, welcomed the plan's ambition but felt that the importance of supporting quality of life for vulnerable people was not given enough prominence. She also raised concerns about the complexity of the relationship with the NHS and the alignment of KPIs with the plan's priorities.

Councillor Gordon King responded, outlining the council's commitment to the voluntary care sector, carers, and advocacy services. He also addressed concerns about personalization of services and the choice of shared lives as a specific commitment.

Councillor Clare Cape added that the council would commit to the value that the local Healthwatch Wiltshire organisation adds.

Other Questions and Concerns

• Area Boards: Councillor Ian Blair-Pilling raised concerns about the strategic role of area boards and whether they were truly representative of the public.
• Officer Language: Councillor Blair-Pilling also criticised the use of officer language in the plan, arguing that it should be understandable to the public.
• Financial Challenges: Several councillors noted the financial challenges facing the council and questioned whether the plan's ambitions were realistic.
• Enforcement: Councillor Tamara Reay raised concerns about planning enforcement, particularly in light of government funding cuts.

Outcomes

At the conclusion of the discussion, the committee agreed to note the [Council Plan 2025-35][Council Plan - Report.pdf] and refer the suggestions of the committee to cabinet for consideration and potential inclusion in the final plan. They also agreed to ask the select committees to take account of priorities set out in the final [Council Plan 2025-35][Council Plan - Report.pdf] in continuing to develop their work programmes.