Lichfield District Council insists its ambition for the future of the area does not need to change, despite a series of wide-ranging cuts.
The local authority has been trying to find ways to plug a £1.7million hole in its finances after a reduction in funding from the Government.
This has meant a series of cuts as part of the Fit for the Future programme.
But a report to a meeting of the full council on Monday (February 24) will say that while investment in some areas will “vary quite considerably”, there would be no need to revisit the overall aims of the area’s strategic plan – known as A Plan for Lichfield District 2012-2016.
“Through F4F [Fit for the Future] there was a significant reduction in budget which will adversely impact on the community development and engagement activity that the District Council can undertake,” the report said. “This will reduce our capacity for initiating, leading or being involved in partnership community based projects and events. Whilst community facilities such as the Old Mining College Centre will still be available, their opening times may be reduced.
“However, considering the strategic theme of ‘We’ll support people’, we can readily evidence the District Council’s continued support for and investment in this area.
“We continue to prioritise community safety activities and have retained the team as is, we continue to invest more than £200k per year in the community and voluntary sector and the budgets for Service Level Agreements and small grants have been sustained, we continue to support vulnerable people especially through our benefits and housing services and we work to improve health again through housing, environmental health, leisure, parks and open spaces and licensing.
“It is therefore considered that the themes and aims/ambitions do not need to be changed at this stage.”
The council’s strategic plan is split into three themes:
We’ll support peopleHelp people to be and feel secure in their homes, neighbourhoods and town and city centres by tackling crime and anti social behaviour.Support and encourage individuals and groups to take responsibility for shaping and improving communities through voluntary effort and social action, and support a thriving and diverse community and voluntary sector.Help and support vulnerable adults, families and children to live independent and fulfilled lives in their own homes and communities, and prevent homelessness where we can.Improve the health and well being of the whole population of the district making sure we make the biggest improvement for people with the lowest life expectancy.We’ll shape placesWe’ll enhance and protect the district’s built environment assets, its historic environment, open spaces and local distinctiveness.Ensure a cleaner and greener environment with high levels of environmental cleanliness and stewardship.Work with others to provide access and choice to a range of market, specialist and affordable homes that meet the needs of our existing and future residents.Require a range of sustainable transport choices for our communities with good local, regional and national transport links.Reduce carbon emissions and promote energy efficiency and renewable energy within the home and workplace.We’ll boost businessGrow our local economy with improved retail offer in both Lichfield and Burntwood and encourage a spread of sectors with more high quality manufacturing and service sector jobs.Position the District as a good place to do business and maintain its position as one of the highest employment areas in the West Midlands by encouraging entrepreneurship, innovation, inward investment, wealth creation and skills development.Build a more prosperous District through heritage, tourism and culture and by encouraging the development of creative, visitor and leisure industries.Create a vibrant rural economy and encourage rural enterprise.
Despite the confidence in the council’s ability to stick to its strategic plan, the report admits that challenges lie ahead for the local authority, as well as the area as a whole.
“The financial sustainability of the council continues to be the most significant consideration going forward given our expectation that government grant will reduce to nil and economic conditions bring about uncertainties in business rate growth and our own income from our trading accounts,” the report added.
“The position is further complicated and exacerbated because other partner organisations are also facing reductions in their budgets and pressures on services staffing resources which further impacts upon our community.
“Clearly, the District Council does not operate in a vacuum and these external changes can bring about further challenges for our own service delivery.”
