Swale Borough Council - Cabinet Plans for New Priorities

The first cabinet meeting since the local elections heard about the new coalition administrations ambitious plans for the next four years.

Plans are being drawn up to create a special projects fund of £1 million a year for the next four years which will allow greater investment in projects that make a difference to the borough.

Cllr Roger Truelove, leader of the council, said:

“We are sitting on huge levels of reserves that are more than double what we realistically need to have set aside.

“This is local people’s money, so it’s only right we use it to improve services around the borough.

“Of course, this has to be done responsibly as the funds are not unlimited, so we are working on setting up a special projects fund of £1 million per year.

“Any projects that are funded will need to demonstrate its value and be in addition to what our services are already providing.

“This will give us the chance to fund specific initiatives that can make a real difference to people’s lives, which would previously have been seen as too costly, even if they would save money in the longer term.”

The meeting also heard updates on progress the administration is making towards its priorities, including:

• A new housing strategy is being put together that will see an increased focus on affordable housing.

• Additional investment is planned to help prevent homelessness and stop the use of bed and breakfast for temporary accommodation by the end of the year.

• Looking at making sure the staff it and its contractors employ are paid the real living wage.

• Declaring a climate emergency to commit the council to coming up with plans to make the borough carbon neutral by 2030.

• Review the approach to the next local plan to ensure developments are suitable and come with the necessary infrastructure.

• Review the constitution to give residents more opportunities to participate in decision-making.

• Recruiting a health and wellbeing officer to coordinate council services work in areas affecting health.

The agenda for the cabinet meeting where these were discussed can be found here: http://bit.ly/2XiiOjP

Swale Borough Council

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