South Kesteven District Council's corporate plan 'will enable district to flourish'
A strategic plan aimed at ensuring South Kesteven “flourishes” has been approved by the district council’s cabinet.
The authority’s corporate plan sets out its vision for the next three years and will go to full council for final approval in October.
It has prioritised five priority areas: growth and the economy; housing that meets the needs of all residents; healthy and strong communities; a clean and sustainable environment; and a high performing council.
Council leader Coun Kelham Cooke told members of the cabinet at a meeting today (Tuesday): "This plan will enable our beautiful district to flourish."
He added: “South Kesteven is a district full of promise and potential. It is home to innovative entrepreneurs and savvy start-ups; a base for global enterprise; and an inviting landscape perfectly situated in the heart of England. We have much to be proud of, and much to offer. Our corporate plan clearly sets out how South Kesteven District Council intends to meet that promise and potential.
“Our vision is to be the best district in which to live, work, and visit. We will continue to support businesses and work with partners in all sectors to create the right conditions for sustainable and dynamic growth so that our local economy not only recovers from the Coronavirus pandemic but recovers stronger than ever.
“Alongside our economy, we will focus on providing homes for our residents, meeting our environmental obligations and supporting initiatives that strengthen our communities.”
The new corporate plan sits alongside a corporate restructure and amended budget to "set a clear blueprint for Covid-19 recovery and restart, and beyond", the council says.
It emerged last month that SKDC could have to dip into a £2.8 million cash reserve to balance its books this year due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Expected income from the likes of car parking, markets and arts centres has been slashed almost in half due to the virus, from £6.7m to £3.6m.
This, alongside other identified ‘cost pressures’, means SKDC is looking at a shortfall of around £4.1m for the year. The budget for this financial year was previously set at £20.19m
Emergency grants from the Government will boost the council’s coffers by around £1.8m, with potentially more to come, but authority chiefs still predict a deficit of around £1m.
Further “expenditure reductions” will help tackle this shortfall but it is possible that the £2.8m ‘budget stabilisation reserve’ will still have to be raided.
