10/03/2006 - Council Makes Promises in New Plan

Welwyn Hatfield Council is publishing a new Corporate Plan. This Plan makes a clear commitment over the next four years to deliver on the council’s five promises. These promises are based on things local people have identified as a priority in Welwyn Hatfield.

The five promises are:

1. We will work with the police and other agencies to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.
2. We will make Welwyn Hatfield cleaner and greener.
3. We will make sure people have a decent home.
4. We will promote a sense of community in the District.
5. We will make sure we are accountable to you.

As well as setting out the council’s corporate vision, the Plan contains all targets which will support these promises over the next twelve months. Local people can expect to see the impact of many of these in their communities.

Commenting on its publication, Leader of the Council John Dean said: “We have listened carefully to what our communities want and have set actions and targets to address the issues they see as important.  We will use the Plan to check our progress regularly to make sure we deliver on the commitments we have made. The targets are demanding because we believe this is the best way to achieve the service improvements the people of Welwyn Hatfield expect and deserve.”

Each year, a new set of targets will be developed and published following a series of public engagement events held over the Summer and early Autumn.  This will include a State of the District Debate on the Promises and the local priorities. Progress towards each year’s targets will made available on the council’s website and in an Annual Report.

John Dean added: “This Plan is our road map to achieving sustainable improvements in local services. The prospects for making a real difference to the quality of life of the communities we serve have never been more promising.  We want to work together with local people to turn this vision into a reality.”

Printed copies of the full Corporate Plan will be available from the council on 27 March 2006 (01707 357000 or contact-whc@gov.uk). In addition, the Plan, and a summary version of it which appears in the Spring Edition of the council’s LIFE magazine, can be accessed now via the council’s website.

END/PR/06/35

EDITOR’S NOTE

Over its first year, the Corporate Plan expects to deliver on the following targets which have been set for Welwyn Hatfield:

1. Reduce crime & anti-social behaviour:

* Install 8 new permanent and two new mobile CCTV cameras in the District.
* Fund 3 Police Community Support Officer posts.
* Introduce 4 local initiatives to help up to 30 local drug & alcohol abusers.

2. Make Welwyn Hatfield cleaner & greener:

* Set up a 10-year street scene contract covering the District, which will
focus on improved grass cutting, cleanliness, recycling and refuse services.
* Develop 75 new off-street parking facilities in targeted neighbourhoods.
* Apply for Nature Reserve designation for the Stanborough Reed Marsh.

3. Make sure people have a decent home to live in:

* Provide at least 100 new affordable homes in the District.
* Negotiate 30 per cent affordable housing on all larger new development sites.
* Revise the housing allocation scheme to better meet future needs.

4. Promote a sense of community in the District:

* Introduce a new concessionary fares scheme for older people.
* Reduce the number of vacant commercial properties at our neighbourhood centres to less than 3 per cent.
* Produce an on-line cultural directory for residents and visitors to the District.

5. Make sure we are accountable to you:

* Have at least 60 per cent of all of our front-line services handled through the new Contact Centre.
* Make sure that all Council services are accessible through our website.
* Hold 3 public engagement events to shape and update the Corporate Plan.