Allerdale council has set out its priorities for the next 12 months.
The ruling executive met earlier this week and agreed the authority’s delivery plan, which sets out the main projects and activities that will be prioritised over the next 12 months.
The projects include:
- Explore any possible opportunities for more outdoor markets
- Increase action to tackle fly-tipping
- Promote recycling initiatives
- Implement the climate change action plan
- To help businesses and bring investment into the borough, the council has set out plans to deliver on key infrastructure and regeneration projects – such as in Maryport and Workington
- Further develop the council’s housing company plans
- Work with partners to grow the visitor economy and help it recover from the coronavirus pandemic
- Deliver plans to help local businesses through the government’s Reopening High Streets Safely and Welcome Back funds
- Continue to work with the Government on local government reorganisation in Cumbria
- Work more effectively with other councils
The plan also includes activities aimed at helping the borough’s communities recover from the coronavirus pandemic, help address any inequalities, and improve the overall health and wellbeing of residents.
This includes working with the council’s leisure partner, GLL, with new initiatives at the area’s leisure centres, work with partners at the Local Focus Hub, continue to deliver help and assistance to those facing financial hardship, and complete the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment
Speaking at the executive meeting, deputy leader Marion Fitzgerald said: “In the short term, some council activity is still focused on supporting our communities and businesses through the remaining restrictions and ensuring that residents have access to the services and support that they need from the council.
“But, with the success of the national vaccination programmed and lockdown measures, it is to be hoped that the whole country is about to enter a much more optimistic phase of transition and recovery.
“For the council, this means developing a dynamic approach, helping the local economy to rebuild whilst at the same time looking towards and preparing the groundwork for future successes. This plan takes exactly that approach, setting out specific activity that will be taken over the next year which will deliver us to a point where we can achieve so much more.”
Mike Johnson, leader, added: “This plan strikes the right balance between response and recovery linked to the pandemic and business as usual.
“We are determined to keep the quality of our services high for our local residents.
“This plan demonstrates the full extent of our ambition across the full range of our services. We are committed to improving the lives and improving the future of our local residents. This document explains how we will go about achieving that mission over the next 12 months.”
