The Portfolio Holder for Communities and Business commended and the Chief Officer, Communities and Business presented the report which sought approval of the public consultation draft of Community Plan for the period 2016-19.  The document and its supporting Action Plan had been developed following comprehensive consultation with Members, residents, town and parish councils, a wide range of voluntary and community organisations and partner agencies. 

The Portfolio Holder for Planning requested that the reference to ‘Explore opportunities from the proposed Quality Bus Partnership’ be deleted from the summary and initial analysis as this was not being pursued.  Members reviewed the draft consultation document and agreed amendments as follows:

·                     to amend, where used, the word ‘threat’  to alternative words such as ‘concern’ or ‘challenge’;

·                     to the change ‘family’ illustration on page 5 to something more representational of the population dynamic;

·                     to add a reference to the distance to Ebbsfleet;

·                     with regards to the health statistics, to ensure the 3 local health priorities were included;

·                     to amend references to the Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) to include the whole range of issues being looked at;

·                     reference to be made to ‘refuse’ not rubbish collection service; and

·                     deletion of the remainder of the sentence after the word ‘study’ at the second bullet point, page 33, of the consultation draft.

Members thanked Officers for their work o the production of the consultation and it’s more succinct presentation.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Resolved:  That, subject to the amendments listed above, the public consultation draft Community Plan and strategic level action plan for the period 2016-19, be approved and run from 15 January to 26 February 2016.