West Oxfordshire District Council Council Plan 2020-2024 3 Cabinet Group Plans & Introduction Portfolio Service Plans Priorities, Objectives Capital & Key Tasks Strategy Local Plan & Investment This document sets out the Council’s key Associated Strategies Council Strategy priorities, areas which require particular focus, Treasury West Oxfordshire District Council - Council Plan 2020-2024 Commissioning Plan Management and shows how the Council intends to achieve Strategy Strategy its ambitions for supporting local communities Commercial Medium-Term and the delivery of local services. Strategy Financial Strategy Performance Publica Business Framework Plan We are proud of the distinctive The Local Plan is a key and special place that is West document which supports the Oxfordshire and want to do Council Plan and its adoption everything we can to ensure it (September 2018) was a continues to be a great place significant step to live, work and visit. as it provides a framework to help grow a successful and It is vital that the District sustainable economy, building maintains its special character much needed new homes and as its economy flourishes and securing infrastructure, whilst we work to support the future enhancing and conserving West growth and opportunities that Oxfordshire’s environment. It lie ahead. The Council Plan details the strategic objectives sets a direction that will help for the district and the with this commitment and it geographical locations prioritised sits at the centre of a range of for development. related strategies, illustrated in the diagram opposite. 1 3 In 2018, we invited the Local We are keen to take the initiative on We recognise that sometimes it will Government Association (LGA) to this opportunity and this new Council be a town or parish that takes a lead conduct a Corporate Peer Challenge - Plan is a start, but to make sure we on a particular issue and the District an external review of a Council’s continue to develop this work, we need Council and other partners will need functioning and its ability to deliver on to work with our partner organisations to act in support of this initiative and its plans. Its report outlines a range of and local communities, to secure their enable improvements where possible. positive factors in the Council’s contributions to our action plan. An example of this might be town leadership and performance but it also partnership work that seeks to provides some helpful pointers for We will work in a variety of ways, enhance the vitality of a market town. improvement. leading by example, in support of our place-making role and advancing the Alongside our community leadership Our Peer Review found that the new future strength and sustainability of local role, we will continue to ensure that Council Plan is an opportunity to: communities. A key part of this will be we provide efficient value for money our community leadership role working services. Our financial strategy is •Align strategic objectives with partners and local areas. positioned to plan for and stay ahead • Make good use of community inputs of future challenges, such as changes Whilst taking a strategic lead to help – building on work in the Local Plan to Government funding, service create the future for West Oxfordshire, process demand and other emerging risks. we plan to listen to and engage in joint We are developing a Commissioning •Set out our economic ambitions as work with our local communities. Our Strategy and Commercial Strategy part of Oxfordshire’s successful regular Town and Parish Forums are an which aim to ensure the Council local economy example of this commitment. retains its current healthy financial position whilst becoming less reliant • Consider the scope to support upon volatile central government future community development. funding. Our planned Commissioning Strategy will cover everything we do and is focussed on meeting local needs and delivering excellent and efficient services in support of the Council Plan. 2 5 6 Key Priority 2 Vision Vision Our vision is to support West Oxfordshire to be Key Priority 3 fit for theOur future vision through: is to support West Oxfordshire to be fit for the future through: Key Priority 4 1. Climate Action Leading the1. wayClimate in protecting Action and enhancing the environment by taking actionLeading locally th one way climate in protecting change and and biodiversit enhancingy. the environment by taking action locally on climate change and biodiversity. 2. Healthy Towns and Villages • Work with OxLEP to expand opportunities to engage and Facilitating healthy lifestyles and better wellbeing for everyone. Key actionsinspire to young include: people and create pathways into vocational work 2. Healthy Towns and Villages and skills in the local economy.Healthy Towns and Villages Facilitating healthy lifestyles and better wellbeing for everyone. •Ensuring an adequate overall supply •Identifying and enabling opportunities • Supporting the rural economy throughMeasures appropriate of success:to meet planning the accommodation and needs of 3. A Vibrant District Economy of housingeconomic to meedevelopmentt identified policy needs and Government programme includingassistance those where in need applicable. of affordable The Council willt reportravelling annually comm on theun ities.implementation Securing futu3. reA economicVibrant success District through Economy supporting existing local of key actions, indicative measures of progress include: Key Priority 5 housing. businesses andSec attractinguring futu newre economic businesses success to deliver through the economic supporting existing local ambitions of the Oxfordshire Local Industrial Strategy. A Vibrant District Economy• Review of the position shown in updates to the health businesses and attracting new businesses to deliver the economic • Measures to increase the number of and wellbeing measures that inform the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, Health and Wellbeing Strategy; and ambitions of the Oxfordshire Local Industrial Strategy. affordable housing units delivered Key Priority 5 Measures of success: Director of Public Health’s Annual Report. annuall y, including the promotion of 4. Strong Local Communities The Council will report annually on the• implementationSubmission of Health of key Impactactions, Assessments indicative measures with all of innovative housing solutions, so that we Supporting4. and building prosperous and inclusive local communities. progress include: strategic planning applicationsMeeting and the implementation Strong Local Communities can reduce the housing waiting list.Strongof theLocal findings Communities through the development scheme to Supporting and building prosperous and inclusive local communities. • Economic indicators including activity whichrates; employment/it relates. Housing unemployment Needs levels; tracking the position in business formation/Measures survival rates;of success: and the quality of local jobs over time - 5. Meeting the Housing Needs of our Changing •The promotionwork-place and versus deliver residenty of wage self-build levels.• Production of a Leisureof our Strategy for West Oxfordshire, and custom build plots and opportunitiesThe Councilincorporating will report wide-ranging annually health, on the wellbeing implementation and of Population5. Meeti ng the Housing Needs of our Changing • New employment space and jobskey created actions,community as aindicative result benefits. of measuresstrategicChanging site of developmentprogress include: and Securing the provision of market and affordable housing of a high to meet thethe reportingneeds of of agglomerationthose on the gains linked to Oxfordshire’s developing Local Industrial Population Council’sStrategy. self-build register. • Reviewing change inPopulation West Oxfordshire through aligning quality for theS ecwideuring range the ofprovision householders of market making and theiraffordable home housing in of a high our Local Plan Annual Monitoring Report with the West Oxfordshire. 12 quality for the wide range of householders making their home in • Business land / premises availability.Council Plan so that weMeasures can assess of changes success: in key •Investigating a new West Oxfordshireeconomic, social and environmental indicators. West Oxfordshire. • Identifying,living rent• targetingTourism to ensure related and that developmentsecuring affordable appropriate schemes permitted - Local Plan Annual Monitoring Report. funding opportunities with external •agencies. A periodic look at howThe the Council District will scores report against annually 6. Modern Council Services and Sustainable Finance homes• areTown tru centrely affordable retail and businessfor local occupancy rates. comparative analyses onshown the implementationin for example: theof key Thriving Delivering excellent modern services whilst ensuring the financial 3 • Referencingpeople andour ke Councily workers. Plan prioritiesPlaces as the Index; and the Sustainableactions, indicative Growth measures Index. of 6. Modern Council Services and Sustainable Finance sustainability of the Council. context for assessing grant funding applications Measuresprogress ofinclude: success: Delivering excellent modern services whilst ensuring the financial • Increased engagement with towns and parishes in support of community projects. •Using the planning system to ensureto t hataddress priority community concerns. sustainability of the Council. new developments provide a range of The•T Councilhe Council’s will report