"The work starts now" says Council Leader as 10-year-plan unveiled
The plan sets out Wiltshire Council's aims for the next decade
The Leader of Wiltshire Council says it's imperative that the county's challenges are tackled "together".
The Lib Dem-led authority has unveiled its 10-year plan, which sets out it's aims and objectives for the coming decade.
Described as a "transformative vision", Council Leader Ian Thorn says it's rooted in "fairness, openness, and working together".
He said: "This is not a plan that will sit on a shelf. It is a living framework, shaped by our values and guided by our engagement with residents"
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio about the plan, Cllr Thorn said: "The big challenges that local authorities face that communities face cannot be faced up to unless we work together."
He wants to connect with the public, and other authorities across the county to achieve the 10 goals set out in the plan.
They are:
- Supporting people to have fulfilling lives
- Protecting our communities
- Making Wiltshire child-friendly and providing opportunities for all our young people
- Enriching and protecting our environment for future generations
- Creating more accessible safer and greener transport
- Promoting healthier lives
- Making culture for everyone
- Building for our communities
- Helping the economy work for everyone
- Empowering and working with our communities
Cllr Thorn said the plan "has to be transformative" due to the "enormous pressures" all local authorities face, such as the cost of adult social care.
"We have, in my opinion, a moral duty to provide the best possible services and facilities, particularly for our most vulnerable residents, but it comes at a cost," he said. "We heard fairly recently, we inherited a black hole of something like £4.8 million from the previous administration.
"We are facing other huge pressures and unless we are constantly transforming constantly doing things in a different and creative way, we will find it very, very hard to exist in a few years time."
He told us that balancing the budget is something unescapable for a Council Leader.
"I'm never far away from the very clear view of ensuring we have financial stability," he stressed, adding that it is crucial that collaborative working helps locate vital funding that can have a transformational impact on the lives of people and communities.
The plan is currently in draft form and will be shared with councillors and the chairs of select committees. There will be a chance for more engagement, before it put to Full Council for adoption in October.