Friday 20 May 2011

Ambitious plans for coming year

On Thursday 19th May I presented the programme for the year to the annual  council meeting - which endorsed it. Here is a precis of what I said courtesy of the council's highly efficient marketing department.


* Time to look back on achievements of last 12 months and forward to our plans for next 12 months



* This time last year full council voted on a programme for the year based upon what we had successfully put to the electorate



* Much progress in implementing this programme



* Planning Forums - been approved will be used for all larger planning applications from now on



* Equalities Charter - accepted by all major partners in borough, public sign up at town conference in September



* Additional tough licensing of houses in multiple occupation - out for consultation goes to June cabinet



* CPO empty homes - working through first five, preparing next list



* Anti-poverty strategy - goes to September cabinet



* Culture of openness - all chief officer salaries and member allowances on website



* Take cultural activity into the community - 8ft sq project out there now



* Extend promenade cycle route - our element will happen in July



* Improve leisure facilities - £750 000 invested to improve Summerfields



* As council we met our 10:10 carbon reduction target



* Not met every target - local contracts will now become area management plans and we failed to retain the highways agreement, which was taken from us by ESCC





* Most prominent recent success - we been active partners with HPWRT in their HLF bid. We spent £700 000 on Pier and the CPO process will now really move forward; we have committed a further £250 000 from HBC towards the funding HPWRT have to find



* Pier not just important for itself but for realising seafront strategy, there is huge potential of Stade/Jerwood/Pier in improving our seafront offer



* We hope that a business may be going into White Rock Baths next few months





* We will review our regeneration action plan



* Maintain the regeneration company and its programme despite no longer receiving government funding



* FLAG - up to £1.2m to support our fishing industry



* Review how we market Hastings as visitor and business location



* Go for world heritage site for the Old Town



* We have a housing action plan



* Local Space with initial £2m to buy, refurbish & manage properties in Central St Leonards



* We will invest £1m to act as guarantor on mortgage deposits for first time buyers who otherwise couldn't raise the sum needed



* Working with Amicus the Malvern pub and shops will be acquired for major housing redevelopment



* We will reinvigorate our environmental action plan



* Take recycling campaign into areas that lagging behind - starting in Tile Barn area of Hollington



* Consult on new methods of collection in black bag areas as prelude to joint waste contract



* Campaign against dog fouling will include a responsible owners campaign starting in Alexandra Park



* Grotbusters will hit their 500th building improved



* We have an equalities action plan to include publication of an access guide to hotels, shops, cafes etc



* All this and rest of corporate plan in context severe financial constraints, with almost 50% being cut from our Government grant over the next three years



* Be hard-pressed to find another council of our size with a bigger work programme



* Despite all financial pressures we remain ambitious and optimistic