Corporate Plan Themes and Expected Outcomes - Sustainable Communities

There will be more jobs and businesses in North Shropshire

Monitoring the number of businesses, jobs business start-ups and business failures and the number of new business start-ups resulting from inward investment into North Shropshire

Monitoring the average income of North Shropshire employees and residents

Monitoring the number of people working in key growth and technology and knowledge intensive industries

Monitoring the number of new businesses added to the Council's Business Directory

There is an average net increase of 150 jobs and 15 businesses each year by 2009

There is an increase in the average rate of new business start-ups to 200 per year by 2009 and a decrease in the average rate of business failures to 180 per year by 2009

There is an increase in the proportion of people working in key growth and technology and knowledge intensive industries of 0.33% per year by 2009

a

We will encourage the sourcing of local products so that more people can 'Buy Local'.

Detailed action plan developed in consultation with farmers markets and other key stakeholders by October 2008

Economic Development

b

develop an inward investment marketing strategy for North Shropshire

By October 2008

Economic Development

c

there will be new employment sites to provide business accommodation for key growth and technology and knowledge-intensive sector businesses

1 new site by March 2008

Economic Development

d

Assess the factors that result in wards being identified within the worst 30% according to the national index of multiple deprivation and investigate actions that could address these problems

Analysis complete by July 2008. Action Plan agreed by 2008/09

Economic Development

e

Investigate actions to encourage and support home enterprise in North Shropshire

Link to h)

Economic Development

f

A capital fund will be used to grant aid new businesses and businesses safe guarding or creating additional jobs and to improve broadband and ICT use by businesses

50% increase in funding available through the scheme March 2009 compared to March 2007.

Economic Development

g

Produce a regular business newsletter

Four times per year in 2007, 2008 and 2009

Economic Development

h

Set up a home enterprise network

Network fully operational by October 2008

Economic Development

i

Support partners to deliver additional work skills training opportunities for young people

In place by September 2008 (to link to academic year)

Economic Development

j

Facilitate and actively support the North Shropshire Partnership's development of closer relationships with key employers

15% increase in Forum members by March 2009 compared to April 2007

Economic Development

More local people will be able to afford housing which is appropriate to their needs within North Shropshire district

Undertaking a housing needs survey

By 2009, more than 50% of local people in housing need think they can afford housing appropriate to their needs within North Shropshire district

By March 2008 15 vacant properties per year will be brought back into use through the application of our Empty Homes Strategy

By 2010, 70% of housing occupied by vulnerable households will meet the decent homes standard (subject verification by the baseline study)

We meet the targets for affordable housing set out in the Local Area Agreement

a

promote and implement the new Private Sector Housing Grants policy which targets affordable housing and promotes sustainable communities within the District

100% of grant to be spent in the relevant financial year.

25% of spend in most deprived wards

Environmental Health

b

P repare sites specific guidance regarding affordable housing requirements for outstanding development sites in the Local Plan

PLink to c)

Housing Strategy

c

Set up a programme for investing in developing sites where affordable housing is a priority

Programme agreed by June 2008

Housing Strategy

d

Extend the amount of time housing advice is available through our Customer Contact Centre or the other customer first offices in the district

20% increase in office-hours by March 2009 compared to April 2006

Customer Services

e

improve the take-up of benefits through working with the voluntary sector, the Government's Department for Work and Pensions and Shropshire County Council to provide joined up benefits advice

 2% increase year-on-year between 2005/6 and 2008/9

Benefits

f

Increase provision of bed-spaces and advice to those suffering domestic violence

100% increase by March 2009 compared to April 2007

Housing Options

g

Increase the number of extra care housing places available in the district

10% increase by March 2009 compared to April 2006

Housing Strategy

h

Start a forum for private housing providers which will create greater availability of housing choice and fast tracking of benefits

In place by July 2008.

100% increase in providers engaged by March 2009 compared to July 2008

Housing Options

i

Review the Council's Housing Strategy

Tracking report published October 2008.

Refreshed strategy published by March 2009.

Housing Strategy

Less greenhouse gas will be emitted as a result of Council actions and across the district.

Assessing the level of greenhouse gas emissions across the district.

The level of greenhouse gas emissions falls year on year.

a

Implement an energy policy and reduce energy consumption across all Council buildings

10% less carbon energy consumed overall by March 2009 compared to April 2006

Property Management

b

Undertake a green fleet review of all Council transport

Action plan agreed by October 2008

Street Scene

c

Embed sustainable development into our decision making processes

Embedded by October 2008 (based on audit report)

Democratic Services

d

Encourage household energy conservation through the use of grants and promotional activities  

Links to SC2a.

100% increase in households seeking advice on energy conservation by March 2009 compared to April 2007.

Environmental Health

e

Become a role model in North Shropshire: demonstrating the principles of "one planet living"

5% reduction in North Shropshire District Council's carbon footprint by March 2009 compared to December 2007

Policy and Communications

f

Support local businesses to become more energy efficient and less wasteful

All business support interventions from April 2008 should will promote sustainable development

Economic Development

g

Through grants, regulation and information, improve the environmental and sustainable development quality of the built environment across the district

Review policy framework by October 2008

Conservation and Design

H

Through our policies and strategies, increase the number of people who work and live in sustainable communities in the district.

No increase in overall greenhouse gas emissions across the district by March 2009 compared to April 2006

Forward Planning
(co-ordinate)