Creating a unified waste and recycling services and creating more affordable homes are among the priorities for a Cumbrian council in the next 12 months.
Westmorland & Furness Council has published its annual plan – and the 48-page document sets out its key aims for 2025-26.
It said it wanted to creating a new unified waste and recycling service, that was cost and carbon efficient.
The authority has pledged to agree the waste collection service model and start phased implementation during the next 12 months.
It also wants to make sure there are enough affordable homes for people in the council area.
It said: “We need to provide more affordable homes to meet need and address local challenges, ensuring an increase in high quality housing supply of the right type, at the right price, in the right places, to meet demand, both from local people and those moving into the area.”
The authority pledged to work with registered providers, community land trusts, housing developers and town and parish councils to bring forward new schemes to deliver 200 affordable homes to address immediate need.
It added it would make surplus council land available for affordable housing and begin to deliver on its empty homes strategy.
It has also said it planned to open at least one new residential home for children to reduce reliance on external placements and would commission a review of its care and assessment services for adults to understand its efficiency and review and redesign council-run care services.
Jonathan Brook, leader of Westmorland and Furness Council, said: “The council is just two years old. We are proud of all that has been achieved in this short time, in addition to the delivery of hundreds of essential services to our communities.
“As we look ahead, we have big ambitions to do even more, our Annual Plan sets out the key priorities that will guide our work in 2025-26.
“We recognise that our ambitions must be matched by both capacity and resources. This will mean focusing on the things that matter most – those that will make the biggest difference and help us achieve our goals.”
“This year, our plans for turbo-charging affordable housing will take shape.
“We will ensure our adult social care services are high-quality, by promoting independence and supporting people to live their best lives. We will also be ensuring our looked after children are given love and care, in homes that meet their needs.
“We will work with our communities to understand and help deliver their ambitions for our places. Meanwhile, work with Team Barrow will move up several gears and our work with Government on their devolution plans, will be an additional challenge for us.
“These are all things that will really help us deliver for local people and move us closer towards our vision for Westmorland and Furness to be a great place to live, work and thrive.”
