Agenda item

That the Council’s plans for medium term recovery and long term renewal as an organisation, for Slough the place and our communities be agreed. Specifically to:

(a)  Develop two separate but related plans:

1.  The 2 year recovery plan (Joe Carter)

2.  The 5 year renewal plan (Stephen Gibson)

(b)  Establish a sub-group to work on planning reporting to the Recovery and Renewal Group

(c)  Establish a joint Working Group of Cabinet and Scrutiny to work together to contribute to the work.

The Cabinet received a presentation on the plans for recovery and renewal following the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The report recommended a recovery strategy based on the delivery of key outputs, outcomes and milestones in three inter-related stages:

·  Stage One – Response over 1-5 months focusing on short term impacts on key services and business continuity.

·  Stage Two – Recovery over 6-24 months would promote a whole-organisation approach to improve health and wellbeing, economic growth and cohesion.

·  Stage Three – Renewal over 25-60 months to make SBC a more resilient, people centred organisation and completing significant regeneration programmes.

The approach would be founded on strong partnership working and community engagement to carry forward the momentum from the One Slough community response.  Members supported the commitment to work closely with the voluntary and community sector and discussed a range of issues such as the impact on regeneration schemes.  Assurance was provided that work had continued on the planning and delivery of a range of both Council and privately led schemes such as the Horlicks redevelopment, Heart of Slough North West Quadrant site and town centre regeneration.  The support for rough sleepers had been welcomed and options were being prepared to use the opportunity to support people beyond the immediate crisis.

Speaking under Rule 30, Councillor Strutton welcomed many aspects of the recovery and renewal plans and emphasised the importance of providing ongoing support for carers and to review planning policies relating to the mix and density of housing to provide healthy environments and spaces for residents.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the recommendations were agreed.

Resolved –

That the Council’s plans for medium term recovery and long term renewal as an organisation, for Slough the place and our communities be agreed. Specifically to:

(a)  Develop two separate but related plans:

1.  The 2 year recovery plan (Joe Carter)

2.  The 5 year renewal plan (Stephen Gibson)

(b)  Establish a sub-group to work on planning reporting to the Recovery and Renewal Group

(c)  Establish a joint Working Group of Cabinet and Scrutiny to work together to contribute to the work.