Clear plan for the year ahead

County Councillors will debate the Council's targets for the forthcoming year this Thursday when they meet at Council Offices, Stricklandgate, Kendal (27th March). They will consider an updated Corporate Strategy that sets out how the Council will achieve its long-term priorities and lists clear targets that can be monitored throughout the year. 

Council Leader Rex Toft considers it to be an important report: 

"The Corporate Strategy document going to council sets out challenging but achievable objectives. We are looking ahead for some 10 to 15 years. 

The County Council has a central role to play in increasing educational standards and skill levels, supporting our elderly and other vulnerable people, regenerating our economic base, protecting the environment and improving the safety and quality of people's lives." 

Deputy Leader Mike Ash adds: 

"Both politicians and officers have put in a lot of work in drawing up this strategy. The targets are being published this week in Cumbria County Council News and it can also be found on the council's much improved website. A full summary of the strategy will be prepared after Thursday's debate. 

The Strategy incorporates seven action plans, one for each of the council's key themes. We make it plain what we want to do and why we want to do it. But the true test is the extent to which we succeed in implementing these plans. The Performance Management framework we are introducing will measure that success, with progress reports going forward to both Cabinet and Full Council."