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
