Working Together to Build a District Where
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Council Plan 2017-2020 “Working together to build a district where people are proud to live and work, through community leadership and excellent services” Welcome to the Bromsgrove District Council Plan. It sets out what matters to our residents and our priorities for 2017-2020. It looks at how we can work together with our partners for the benefit of all of our communities to create a Better Bromsgrove for everyone. As newly appointed leader for the Council I am keen that while our priorities remain realistic and achievable, they also embrace a This Council plan has been put new and effective way of approaching the challenges which local together with 2 main provisos: government faces. We are all aware of the financial pressures • That we listen to our residents in terms impacting on local Councils. Therefore, we need to reduce costs and generate income to increase our longevity and so we can reinvest of what services they wish us to provide this money in the areas which will benefit our residents the most, • That economic development and especially those who are on limited incomes. As other Councils have income generation will be our prime done, we will review all our assets and consider how best they can drivers to sustain financial stability generate income for the Council. During 2017-2020, we intend This plan is split into strategic purposes to guide us and includes actions for each of our strategic areas, providing us with a clear focus to focus on the following 6 key for addressing issues and allocating funding for the next four years. priorities: Bromsgrove District Council Cabinet They will be a tough challenge to achieve and we will be working as a • Financial stability for the Council team (Cabinet and Officers) to ensure they are implemented. However we will not be complacent and, with my Cabinet • Economic development within the District Members, who are responsible for their own strategic • Balancing urban and rural needs, especially for housing needs purposes, we will review this plan annually to make sure it is still relevant to the needs of our customers and the • Delivery through partnerships or joint ventures priorities we have set out. • Quality services for residents, with affordable charges where appropriate Cllr Geoff Denaro, • Working with WCC to reduce congestion in Bromsgrove Town Centre and Leader of Bromsgrove District other District Centres Council 2 Bromsgrove District Bromsgrove District Council moved to its new facilities at Parkside in 2015; this heritage site, in the heart of Bromsgrove Town Centre, houses not only the District Council but also Job Bromsgrove District is in the north of Worcestershire and over 90% of its 217 Centre Plus, a new library and several square kilometres is greenbelt. With 95,768* residents, there are population other Worcestershire County Council clusters including Hagley, Rubery and Wythall, with the town of Bromsgrove functions, providing a range of services accounting for just over a third of the total population of the District. Approximately for residents and customers and 20% of the population are children and 21% are over 65 years old. increased footfall into the town centre. Issues such as an ageing population, affordable housing and developing the local economy all impact on the District. *ONS mid-year population estimate 2015 3 The local centres are also key to improving as the ‘Love Your Rivers Project’ to improve Context facilities and opportunities for all of our ecology and biodiversity in Sanders Park with The economic picture for Bromsgrove residents and improvement projects are the creation of a wet grassland area. District is positive, with consistently low underway across the district. It is important for the Council to ensure unemployment. However, the Indices of Bromsgrove has Multiple Deprivation 2015 (specifically During that Bromsgrove District remains attractive the highest level of 2015/2016 for everyone, and our Place Teams provide income, employment and education ownership affordable home 166 homes a strong environmental service across the indicators) show there were issues, were completed in Worcestershire, District based on local needs and priorities. particularly in parts of Charford and and the smallest private rented sector in Sidemoor. This focus gives our staff greater ownership the county; demand for housing within and develops important local knowledge to Supporting business is the district has had a significant impact on support our communities, from picking up incredibly important for the property prices which are higher than the litter to cutting the grass. District. Through North Worcestershire Worcestershire average. Economic Development and Regeneration we Bromsgrove District is a low crime area; will continue to support these businesses and Whilst the health of people in Bromsgrove however the North Worcestershire The Redditch & Bromsgrove Community established companies within the District to District is generally good, health priorities Community Safety Safety schools programme include improving mental wellbeing, Partnership has has mentored 81 young grow. people across both districts increasing physical been working hard since september 2015. Bromsgrove town centre is a activity and ageing well. across the district to address causes of crime major area of focus and extensive Through the Bromsgrove and to support victims. redevelopment is under way. Partnership various There has been continued investment in Recent improvements to the local agencies, including providing activities and facilities for all town centre include enhancement of Bromsgrove District ages, such as an outdoor gym at Lickey the High Street, a new retail park and Council, have been playing their part to End, inclusive play facilities at the ASDA planning permission for an exciting address these issues. development on the Market Hall site. Recreation Ground and a new skate park The district is rich with and risky play There were over biodiversity, geodiversity and facilities in 55,000 attendances at Bromsgrove District attractive landscapes. The Council Hagley. Council events during 2015/2016. is committed to protecting our environment and has undertaken partnership work such 4 The Council currently receives £1.7m We are working with partners to Finances of this grant and allocates £100k for achieve savings across the public purse The December 2015 Government Spending community funding to support projects which will ensure that valuable front Review announced an indicative four year in those areas affected by housing line services continue to be delivered funding settlement for local authorities. For growth. Government grant funding will to our communities. The financial Bromsgrove the settlement gives a much lower be some £5m per year less funding available will be aligned to our than anticipated level of revenue support in real terms by the end priorities as detailed in this document grant from the Government with a potential of this plan than it was to ensure we meet customer and unexpected repayment to Government in in 2010/11. This equates community need. 2019/20 of £750k. Consultation has also to losing funding for started on planned changes to New Homes just under half of the In order to address the financial Bonus, which will see a reduction in the Council’s net budget. challenges, over the financial planning amount we receive towards the end of the five period the Council will look at year period. The Council has a proven track record generating growth in our services to in delivering cost and efficiency increase income, redesigning services Since 2010/11 we have generated savings of £2.65m savings. Since 2010/11 the Council to make them as flexible and from additional income & has made savings from sharing efficient as possible and increasing efficiencies services with other Councils of to work with others to Since 2010/11 we have made savings of £4.3m £4.3m and generated other savings maximise the value of from sharing services of approximately £2.648m from Council services with the with other Councils additional income and increasing limited funding we efficiencies. have available. With the continued cuts to our funding we will have to find more innovative ways to meet the on-going financial pressures that the Council Potential repayment to the Government faces. in 2019/20 of £750k Government grant funding will be some £5m less by 2020 than it was in 2010/11 5 What matters Key priorities 2017-2020 Bromsgrove District Council is committed to providing residents Economic Urban/Rural with effective and efficient Financial Balance services that not only meet their Stability Development needs but understand them too. Through considering what really Quality Reduce matters to our residents we have Partnerships/ Congestion developed six key priorities for Joint Ventures Services the next four years, supported by six strategic purposes. Working to these purposes will help us Strategic Purposes to understand the needs of the District and how, together with Help Help Help me to be me to live our partners, we can improve the me run a successful financially my life lives of our residents and the independent independently business prospects for Bromsgrove District as a whole. Help Keep my Provide me to find good things place safe somewhere to for me to live in my and looking see, do and locality good visit 6 Ensuring a sustainable council To continue to meet the needs of our communities we need to focus on financial stability and look at how we