Decision details

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council seeking approval of Southampton City Council’s Plan for 2013-2016.  With the overarching vision of ‘Working for a sustainable Southampton –socially, economically and environmentally’ the Plan sets out :

•  Our strategic direction

•  The opportunities and challenges we face

•  Our priorities and what we will do to achieve our ambitions

•  How we will measure success

•  How the council is organised

Following Cabinet it is recommended that the Council Plan is submitted to Council for approval.

(i)  To note the recommendations made by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, as reported verbally at the meeting, which, if approved by Council, will be reflected in the final version of the plan.

(ii)  To recommend the draft Council Plan 2013-16, including the council priorities as detailed in Appendix 1, to Council for approval.

The Council Plan is a key element in the council’s policy framework and as such there is a requirement that the council publishes this document. The plan sets the direction and priorities of the council for 2013-2016 to ensure the council has an integrated and planned approach from which policies and spending decisions will be made.  However, further amendments will be required as a result of the council’s budgetary planning for the next 3 years and emerging national policy changes.  Delegated authority is therefore being sought to enable the plan to be amended to reflect any future changes. 

Not to produce a Council Plan - this has been rejected because the plan sets the direction and priorities of the council and is the key overarching document for directorates to plan future service delivery and stakeholders to link to as appropriate.  To have an alternative plan / priorities – this has been rejected because the priorities identified in this plan best suit the challenges and issues facing the council and our customers.