Decisions made at Executive meeting – 9 January 2017

• Councillors approved Harborough District Council’s Corporate Plan and Corporate Delivery Plan for 2017/18.
  The Corporate Plan is an overarching public document, published annually, that sets out the council’s vision for the district, its ambitions and priorities and how it will work with its partners and the community. It ensures that living in, working in, and visiting the Harborough district is the best possible experience. The Corporate Plan is based on information about the area and customer feedback and identifies how the council will achieve its vision.
  The Corporate Delivery Plan sets out the council’s strategic activities, and what these mean for communities in the district.
  Three council priorities have been identified for the 2017/18 year which underpin both the Corporate Plan and the Corporate Delivery Plan.
  These are:
   
• Working with communities to develop places in which to live and be happy.
• Enable public services which are effective and deliver value for money.
• Encourage a vibrant and sustainable business community intent on prosperity, employment and learning opportunities. 
  
  Cllr Phil King said of the Corporate Plan: “It’s a very good report which sums up what we’ve achieved in the last year… and shows we have a very full agenda for 2017/18.”
  
  Cllr Jo Brodrick added: “It shows the comprehensive work that this council does and I hope people look at this document.”

• Councillors approved the council’s proposed revenue budget and capital programme for public consultation. The consultation will provide an opportunity for residents to feedback on potential pressures, savings and income generation opportunities.
  In December, Harborough District Council unveiled its proposed budget plans which include significant investment into play areas, disabled facility grants, tourism, apprenticeships, community grants, homelessness prevention, flytipping, and a number of other areas, despite a £750,000 reduction in central government funding.
  It also set out a rise in its share of the council tax bill, for the first time in seven years although councillors say the proposed council tax increase of £5 a year (3.12%), on the average Band D property, equates to less than just 10p a week and is still lower than the council tax precept was in 2014/15.  The public will be able to share their views from 10 January 2017 via the council’s website. Paper copies of the consultation will also be available in the council’s reception.
  Cllr Neil Bannister said at the meeting: “This council is doing well to adjust to some challenging financial pressures. In difficult financial times we’re able to put forward a balanced budget.”
  
   
• Councillors approved a joint agreement to work collaboratively with neighbouring council North West Leicestershire as it works to prepare its Local Plan. In recent years, similar agreements have been established to work together with other councils in the preparation of their respective Local Plans as local authorities look to meet housing and other development needs across the whole of Leicestershire.
   

View the Executive meeting full agenda and reports on the council’s website