Eden District Council is inviting comments on its draft Council Plan for 2019-2023, in a public consultation which runs for just under six weeks, from 6 February to 19 March 2019.
The Council Plan is the local authority’s main policy document. It contains the organisation’s priorities and directs everything the Council does. The Council Plan informs the development of programmes, allocation of staff and resources and the review and assessment of Council performance and achievements.
Members of the public, agencies, town and parish councils, businesses, social enterprises, schools, churches, equality and diversity organisations, contractors, Councillors and staff are all being invited to submit comments and suggestions on the draft Plan, which will guide the Council’s strategic direction to 2023.
Three priorities have been identified in the draft Council Plan 2019-2023, under the headings of:
- Council – efficiency and cost effectiveness;
- Economy – supporting business, tourism and communities; and
- Health and Wellbeing – homes, warmth, happiness and health.
The Chief Executive of Eden District Council, Rose Rouse said; “Local authorities face many challenges in the coming months and years, not least from reducing government grant. We need to ensure we are ready to meet whatever the future holds, to ensure stability and resilience, but also adaptability and an innovative approach. We believe the draft Council Plan 2019-2023 sets the right framework for achieving this.”
“Eden has just come in the top 5 places to live in the UK and this draft plan sets out the work we will be doing to ensure that people here continue to have a great quality of life. The priorities are focused on attracting better paid jobs, providing the right housing and improving the health and physical activity of residents. This is all underpinned by the Council working more efficiently by embracing technology and new ways of working.”
The Council is inviting comments on whether the draft plan addresses the most important issues for Eden, makes the most of what the District has to offer or whether anything has been missed out.
Once all consultation responses have been received, assessed and incorporated (where appropriate), the draft Council Plan 2019-2023 will be considered by Councillors following Eden District Elections in May 2019. The final Council Plan 2019-2023 is expected to be approved and adopted at a meeting of Council in July 2019.
The draft Council Plan 2019-2023 and consultation questionnaire are available to view and download from the Council’s website: www.eden.gov.uk/council-plan/ Hard/paper copies of the Plan and questionnaire can be obtained by contacting Eden District Council on Telephone: 01768 817817 or Email: [email protected] Hard/paper copies can also be collected from Council offices at the Town Hall or Mansion House in Penrith and from libraries in Eden. To complete the online questionnaire, go to: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CouncilPlan2019-2023