Introduction
What is a Corporate Plan
A Corporate Plan sets the direction for the council and how it should work to shape the future of the district for its residents and businesses.
Most of the services the council delivers must be provided by law. These include waste collection, determining planning applications, distributing housing benefit and helping people find housing.
Council staff and councillors also work to bring about long-term improvements for our district, including where we should focus our resources and what projects we should deliver.
Our current Corporate Plan was published in 2021. Following changes in the district and across the country we now need to make sure we are focussing on the right priorities over the coming years.
What is different about the 2025 plan?
We are developing a plan that is aspirational, with sustainability at its heart. Whilst acknowledging that we must live within our means, it’s important that the work of the council reflects the needs of our residents both now and in the future. The well-being of our communities, the health of the local economy, and concern for the environment are central to our ambition.
Our draft plan sets out five key priorities for the coming years.
- A well-run, transparent and listening council that works closely with its partners.
- Improving people’s health, wellbeing and sense of community.
- Building new homes and improving the quality of existing homes.
- Growing the economy in a sustainable way and creating opportunities for all.
- Addressing climate change and enhancing the natural environment and local character.
To underpin our plans for the future of the district, we are using the United Nations 17 Sustainability Goals as a key guiding framework. These goals, shown by the square symbols in the consultation, have been agreed by countries around the world. They cover a wide range of topics including people’s health, equality, wellbeing, economic growth, good governance and environmental issues.
We believe that this approach will enable the council to Think Global and Act Local, and that we can achieve this in the way we deliver services every day.
Public engagement
Between the end of July and October 2024, a wide-ranging consultation was carried out involving district residents of all ages and local businesses.
Many responded to an online resident and business survey and others responded to researchers who called at homes.
A town and parish councils online event was held and four in person focus groups were organised as well as groups for primary and secondary age young people.
The views of more than 500 residents were collected and these have been considered by a working group of councillors and council officers. The group has reccomended changes to the plan and a draft is being considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 19 November 2024. The final plan is due to go to Cabinet in January 2025 and to a meeting of the full council in February 2025 when it is due to be adopted.