Luton Council: Proud, Vibrant, Ambitious, Innovative! a Submission for Local Authority of the Year
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Luton Council: Proud, Vibrant, Ambitious, Innovative! A submission for local authority of the Year Summary 2016 was a landmark year for Luton as we moved being taken out of our budget. We’ve secured over into delivery of our ambitious and credible £10m in grants in 2016 to deliver additionally across £1.5billion Investment Framework (LIF). During a wide range of services. 2016 the LIF became the cornerstone of the Our success is a result of close synergies between Council’s entire activity, along with that of schools, forward-thinking Executive Members, ambitious businesses, partners and developers. senior management, passionate partners and a A quick skim through this submission brings our motivated workforce adamant that Luton will fulfil strategic priorities to life and shows what can be its potential. achieved when the Council comes together with The real heroes are those on the front line, whether partners and investors – each with a huge passion it’s our street cleaners, social workers or our for Luton – to drive improvements to health and passenger transport crews, who get up each and wellbeing, create opportunities, raise aspirations and every morning to make Luton a better place for enhance prosperity across the town. those that live and work here. Our town and people are far too important to dwell on continued public spending cuts in which Cllr Hazel Simmons, we were the sixth worst affected Unitary Authority Leader of Luton Council in the country; which is why we changed our focus Trevor Holden, to ensure we can invest in our communities and Chief Executive of Luton Council improve outcomes for local people despite £107m www.thinkluton.co.uk www.luton.gov.uk Building economic growth and Full submission prosperity Backed by strong and bold political leadership, and tactical private, public and third sector In April we launched Luton’s £1.5 billion partnerships, the Council fundamentally investment potential with national, regional and changed its strategic focus last year with the local partners including businesses, employers, Luton Investment Framework (LIF) – a credible schools, developers and investors. 300+ guests plan for major town-wide transformation – heard how Luton’s unrivalled combination which is making a positive, tangible difference to of superb infrastructure, great access and a the people of the town. skilled workforce is making it one of the UK’s best opportunities when it comes to business Change was signalled at the start of 2016 and investment. Luton has stepped up and with the rollout of Luton’s new brand which announced itself as a major player in the UK has a strong narrative that encapsulates key economy. elements of the town, supported by a modern, clean and aspirational visual identity, marketing The message was out and Luton started getting suite and logo. The new brand received cross- positive national profile, including ‘top ten party political support and is championed by all trendiest places to live’ (http://www.mirror.co.uk/ council departments and key partners. Results news/uk-news/how-trendy-you-live-type-7844604) of the latest ‘Perceptions of Luton’ survey show and ‘Britain’s most desirable location’ (http:// opinions of the town have markedly improved. www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/30/britains- desirable-locationluton/) We are on schedule to secure £1.5 billion investment to transform the town and create This positive impact on the reputation and 18,500 quality jobs for local people, and the LIF image of Luton and its potential is being is also the driving force behind the Council’s recognised as evidenced by: updated mission, vision and priorities for the Successful application to Government for a town. The new mission summarises the Council’s 395 acre London Luton Airport Enterprise purpose and aspiration of ‘Enabling Luton to Zone which will create over 7,200 direct jobs. be proud, vibrant, ambitious and innovative’. This has been supported by a refreshed vision Construction projects worth £200 million statement declaring as a ‘leader and shaper’ of put in progress including the £110 million Luton we will deliver high quality services to transformation of London Luton Airport and improve the life opportunities for our people, the £25 million Marsh Farm Redevelopment work with our partners to ensure Luton is where 82% of the supply chain is local. dynamic, prosperous, safe and healthy; celebrate Major development proposals brought our diversity and vibrancy and provide strong forward including planning approval and leadership for the town. start on site for the £600 million Napier Park These are all being achieved through the landmark mixed-use scheme including leisure, Council’s strategic priorities: retail and homes which will completely transform a barren site into an attractive building economic growth and prosperity new community. Planning permission also enhancing skills and education submitted for major mixed use residential, entertainment and retail development at the improving health and wellbeing Power Court and Junction 10a sites. developing quality homes and infrastructure Announcement of plans to invest in a £200 supporting safe, strong and cohesive million Mass Passenger Transit linking the communities airport with mainline Luton Airport Parkway station. Planning application submitted in integrated, efficient and digital service February. delivery Neighbourhood masterplan for High Town Summary of achievements against these redevelopment and regeneration works priorities: around the shopping parade at Riddy Lane completed. Unprecedented passenger growth of 44% Enhancing skills and education since 2014 at the Council-owned London Luton Airport, making it not only the fifth largest, but the fastest growing in the country, delivering an additional £13 million PA revenue and creating 3,800 new jobs. Latest business intelligence information confirming that over a 12 month period there was a 25% increase in new businesses,full time employment had increased by 1,300 and full time earnings increased by 3.4%. Salaries of workers in Luton increased by 3.7% (national average 2.2%) Facilitating the set up of Luton BID which has led to a 3.5% increase in town centre visiting numbers, bucking the national trend. Dozens of businesses enquiring about With a growing economy and thousands of new relocating to Luton and major employers (such jobs coming on stream, our skills agenda was as Leonardo, GKN and easyJet) confirming revamped as we are adamant that local people Luton as their home. On top of this our will be the beneficiaries. economic development team visited more than 100 businesses to promote the town. Notable achievements: Luton, which is already well-served by Great progress in our education teams, where superfast broadband, joined the Central Ofsted rated provision so highly that 92 per Superfast project to increase coverage to over cent of students now attend a secondary 99% and we’ve also been selected as a G-Fast school that has been rated good or better. ultra-fast broadband pilot area. Improving results in GSCE were also attained and 75% studying at sixth form or equivalent Hundreds of national, regional and trade now go onto university. media stories and excellent features on the town, with #ThinkLuton trending on 15 April. Two Employment, Training and Skills fairs were held in partnership with the DWP, and By growing our economy we have the resources a separate one with the airport, attracting to invest in our people and deliver the rest of 3,000+ people, matching them to jobs and our strategic priorities… offering expert career advice and guidance from dozens of local businesses, education and training providers and recruitment agencies. Investment in Careers Explorer, a free web- based tool, which can be used to research careers, training, apprenticeship opportunities and live vacancies. Work with the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership Careers and Enterprise Coordinators to encourage businesses to provide mentors to schools, focusing on ways to improve employability skills, learn about jobs and careers and motivate learning. Almost 5,000 local people enhanced their skills by attending training courses run by our Luton Adult Learning service. Through the Council’s New Horizons In 2016 we trained 700 professionals in ‘Five supported employment service, 10 customers to Thrive’ – a partnership programme to build with a learning disability were offered the parenting capacity and improve life chances opportunity in 2016 to undertake work for 0 to 5-year-olds. We also launched Disabled experience with Bedfordshire Police as part of Go, a new access guide designed to empower the ‘Apprentice Steps’ programme. residents with disabilities to get out and do what they want to do, featuring over 500 venues. Our own Fixed Assets team designed and built two new SEN Schools and we announced a We’ve been working with the Luton and new secondary school for 1,200 pupils. Dunstable University Hospital to deliver a streamlined service with health by linking our Improving health and social workers to hospital wards so they can wellbeing assess the right patients at the right time and ensuring decisions are in the best interest of The LIF ensures wellbeing is central to every the patients. This community care discharge council decision made which is why we programme has led to the L&D Hospital being transferred responsibility for commissioning and one of the best performing hospitals in the procurement to our public health team in 2016 country. and Health Impact Assessments are now carried out on all council policy proposals. A modern day and respite care facility opened in Stopsley for adults with a learning disability. Innovation and best practice have been The state-of-the-art building was designed evident across the piece, with an emphasis on and built by our Fixed Assets staff and shows prevention and early intervention to reduce that while most towns are closing or reducing impacts on service delivery.