Councillor Hebb presented the report and stated there were three key aspects to the report which were Revenue, Reform and Relay and Respond.

With regards to Revenue, the Conservative administration had made it clear that this was a pro-revenue authority and had to be inventive about earning more. The Council needed to become smarter by offering the same service with less money. The Clean It Cut it Fill It initiative was the medicine this borough needed but to undertake these initiatives the Council  had to save more from what was already taking place or earn more. The Pro-Revenue Growth Plan complimented the Council Spending Review.

The Legal Team were the gold star holders for being commercial and earning money for the organisation for services such as Clean It Cut It and Fill It. Nearly £700,000 will be earned in Legal this year for a service which costs £757,000 with potential to earn more. The Counter Fraud Team were already trading services as well.

Councillor Hebb stated that heads are turning to Thurrock and this was the place to go and come to, his message to councils along the South Essex Estuary and into London was that Thurrock was open and welcoming to trading services.

The Administration pledged to take the question of electoral reform to the heart of the Thurrock community where the General Services Committee will shortly have sight of the consultation questions and the supplementary document which will support residents in making an informed decision on how the 49 members are elected. Councillor Hebb confirmed that a hard copy of the consultation and supplementary document will go out to residents with the council tax demand reminder letters.

Relay and Response – The direction of travel for the communications team was to ensure that the heads of the outside investors and neighbours turn to Thurrock for the great things that happen here. Cabinet will ensure that the communications team have the freedom to talk to people as people and use social media to talk and engage with people outside of office hours.

Next month a new Council monthly e-newsletter will be introduced and coordinated by the communications team, which will be campaign-led enabling the communication of key priority messages and future events to which residents can sign up for. 

Councillor Hebb thanked all the team members in his directorate and stated that the Plan will be formative in the Council and as we grow at home and across borders.

Councillor Snell thanked the Portfolio Holder for his report and stated that it demonstrated a positive way forward but to ensure that investments were not hidden away but were open to democratic scrutiny.

Councillor Hebb stated that clear investigation work was an undertaking of the Section 151 Officer and as part of the Council Spending Review Process. Councillor Hebb confirmed that the investment programme will continue to be discussed at these review meetings.

Councillor Snell also stated that although social media was good some elderly residents do not have the use of IT and should not be forgotten. Councillor Hebb stated that the front line customer service strategy will ensure that no one was neglected.

Councillor Redsell reiterated that elderly residents should not be forgotten and asked for reassurance from the Portfolio Holder that this would be the case. Councillor Hebb undertook this re-assurance and stated that no-body should be made to feel isolated or segregated.

Councillor Duffin asked the Portfolio Holder if more can be done to use Facebook as a useful tool to engage with residents on social media. Councillor Hebb stated that it was his understanding that Facebook, Twitter and Linked-In would be used to engage with residents on social media.