Following a full Council meeting on Monday 3rd July, East Staffordshire Borough Council has adopted a new Corporate Plan for 2023/24, outlining ways in which the Council plans to support residents over the coming year.
The newly adopted Corporate Plan comes into place, following the May 2023 Borough Council election, and introduces five new corporate priorities for the 2023/24 financial year:
- Improving Local Democracy
- Creating a prosperous East Staffordshire
- Developing a Green New Deal for East Staffordshire
- Protecting our heritage
- Standing up for our communities
The refreshed Corporate Plan also provides information on the Council’s commitment to the regeneration of both Burton and Uttoxeter town centres, including the Council’s purchase of the former Co-op building in Uttoxeter. This purchase was approved by the Council at this meeting and is a major step in Uttoxeter town centre’s regeneration.
Alongside the Corporate Plan, the Council meeting saw the approval of another policy, setting out the use of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It was agreed that the £3.8 million grant should be used in four ways over the next two years:
- £1,500,000 – Regeneration of Uttoxeter
- £772,000 – Supporting businesses
- £50,000 – Support for those with education and training support, getting them back into work
- £1,500,000 – Ward Enhancement Fund, enabling every ward in East Staffordshire to bid for funds between £10,000 - £50,000 for local projects
The Council meeting also saw approval of other significant motions, including one that takes steps to protect against companies that employ ‘Fire and Rehire’ policies, a motion which will see the Council lobbying Government to ensure children have access to free school meals, and a motion to revoke the constitutional changes from December 2022 and to introduce public participation in the Council’s Scrutiny Committees, thereby improving local democracy.
Cllr Mick Fitzpatrick, Leader of the Council, said: “I am pleased to see the refreshed Corporate Plan be approved by Council in what was a momentous meeting held on Monday 3rd July 2023. Not only is the Council committed to the regeneration of the Borough, but also to those residents that make up our towns and villages, ensuring that everyone has access to the support they need.”
To view the new Corporate Plan for 2023/24, please visit the Council’s website.