Yesterday (Monday, 20 February 2023) Cheltenham Borough Council showed its commitment to driving forward growth and prosperity for all of its communities, with five exciting high level priorities in its new corporate plan.
The new four year plan sets out the authority’s principles, priorities and success measurements. Also, for the first time, residents can also view a new animation of the corporate plan, showing how the priorities will help Cheltenham communities and how they will be delivered.
The five key priorities:
- To enhance Cheltenham’s reputation as the Cyber Capital of the UK
The council will make Cheltenham the Cyber Capital of the UK through the Golden Valley Development – the home of Cyber Central – which will create jobs, drive business growth and provide more new homes. The Golden Valley Development has a key role in the UK’s mission of making the UK the safest place to live and do online business, as set out in the Government’s National Cyber Strategy 2022.
- Work with residents, communities and businesses to help make Cheltenham #netzero by 2030
The Climate Emergency Action Plan: pathway to net zero, sets out aims to achieve the 2030 target by working with residents, communities, businesses, public and voluntary organisations. This requires mitigation through reducing our carbon footprint, adaptation through improving our infrastructure and achieving a cleaner and greener sustainable environment.
- Increase the number of affordable homes through the council’s £180m housing investment plan
Working with Cheltenham Borough Homes and other providers, the council will continue to increase the number of affordable carbon neutral homes through its £180m housing investment plan, which will help create more sustainable communities and reduce homelessness.
- Ensure residents, communities and businesses benefit from Cheltenham’s future growth and prosperity
Cheltenham will see huge investment over the coming years through expansion of the cyber industry, more affordable homes and infrastructure. This presents a once in a generation chance to ensure all of our communities can benefit from sustainable growth in jobs, skills and housing.
- Be a more modern, efficient and financially sustainable council
As local councils continue to operate in a challenging financial environment and as part of the recovery from Covid-19, the council will continue to identify opportunities to increase income and reduce costs to ensure financial sustainability. This will enable continued investment in front-line services and enhancing Cheltenham as a place to live, work and visit.
Deputy leader, Cllr Peter Jeffries, said: “We will continue to forge a bright future for our borough together with our local partners, residents and businesses.
“The enthusiasm for the Golden Valley Development continues to build and the pioneering scheme will include a National Cyber Innovation Centre. We hope this will cement our position as the Cyber Capital of the UK and extend Cheltenham’s presence in the global economy as the safest place to do business online. As well as having the potential of providing thousands of high quality and affordable homes, this development will be based on green principles.’’
Gareth Edmundson, chief executive, said: “The scale of our unique ambition is set against a challenging economic backdrop and we will continue to deliver practical support to our residents, businesses and communities. We are setting a higher standard both in terms of building a better future for Cheltenham and a sustainable environmental legacy ensuring that everyone who lives and works here can equally share the benefits of Cheltenham’s successes.”
Read the full corporate plan at www.cheltenham.gov.uk/corporate-plan or watch the animation video.