At our Full Council meeting today, Thursday 15 February, we formally adopted our Council Plan for 2024-2028 along with the supporting delivery plan for the first year.
We agreed the four key policy areas needed to prioritise the climate change and biodiversity emergency, tackle the challenging housing situation, support the economy and deliver good quality services to the District’s communities.
For the next year, we have agreed to take forward the following projects all linked to our key priorities, to:
- lead on environmental concerns and take direct action to combat climate change and biodiversity loss including supporting community energy groups, increasing electric vehicle charging points and developing a Keep It Local food scheme.
- create and launch the South Hams Housing Offer. This new scheme will support communities and landowners to bring forward affordable housing in their area and help conversations with proven registered housing providers who are working with communities.
- deliver an independent living scheme (Disabled Facilities Grants) increasing the amount of funding available to residents.
- improve the energy efficiency of 55 properties by awarding Homes Upgrade Grants.
- delivery of a new temporary accommodation unit in Kingsbridge.
- refurbish and improve local toilets including exploring potential for more Changing Places toilets as important facilities for residents with disabilities.
- improve local sport and recreation facilities using developer contributions.
- explore the idea of a pilot e-bike hub scheme with 10 hubs totalling 70 bikes.
- buy land for tree planting with part-funding from Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest.
Cllr Julian Brazil, Leader of South Hams District Council, said: “I’m really pleased that the Council have agreed with the Executive and adopted The Council Plan. They are a robust set of sensible measures to address the very real challenges that we face in the District. These issues of housing, climate change, a troubled economy aren’t going to go away any time soon and we need to work alongside our community and give what support we can to move forward.
“Climate Change and housing issues are not mutually exclusive and we hope to do both. We can’t just sit by; we have to take personal responsibility and do something about it. We have to be holistic in our approach, we don’t have unlimited resources, but we will do what we can.
“We will reach our goals because despite our different party politics, we have the heart of the community at the forefront of what we are doing and that practical approach, together with our excellent financial management will always stand us in good stead.”
To find out more information on each of the reports discussed during Full Council, go to: www.southhams.gov.uk/full-council
The meeting can be viewed in full on our YouTube channel www.youtube.com/@SouthHamsCouncil
