Our Corporate Aims, Approaches and Actions

The council has adopted the following new aims, approaches and actions to form the framework for service planning, service priorities and budget setting from 2009/10 onwards.

AIM - we are committed to being a listening council, providing first class services accessible to all

Approach

listening to and engaging with our local community
working with voluntary organisations, Parish Councils and Cambridgeshire County Council to improve services through partnership
making South Cambridgeshire District Council more open and accessible
achieving improved customer satisfaction with our services
ensuring that the Council demonstrates value for money in the way it works

Action

set up user groups of residents that will look at three areas of service delivery by 2010 to help guide service delivery in the future
prepare and consult on a Statement of Community Involvement on planning issues
work with voluntary organisations to establish a relationship with hard-to-reach and vulnerable residents
work with voluntary groups to provide information and advice at events in 20 villages a year by 2010
establish a system of satisfaction surveys by May 2010, that will be used to improve all the services that we provide
review the current grant scheme by May 2009 with a view to reintroducing grants to talented performers, and promising competitors with an eye on London 2012

AIM - we are committed to ensuring that South Cambridgeshire continues to be a safe and healthy place for you and your family

Approach

working closely through our Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership to reduce crime and the fear of crime
working with partners to combat Anti Social Behaviour
promoting active lifestyles and increasing opportunities for sport and recreation to improve the health of all age groups
understanding where health inequalities exist and focussing on areas of need

Action

set up an Anti Social Behaviour Working Group by May 2009 to report on key areas of concern and identify areas for resources to be targeted accordingly
carry out a review by 2010 of the provision and effectiveness of existing CCTV in the District
carry out a Fear of Crime and Public Reassurance Survey in 2009
introduce a Member Champion for each Neighbourhood Panel by May 2009
increase the number of residents taking up sport or formal exercise by 1% in 2009
work closely with partners including NHS Cambridgeshire to identify and target key groups and provide increased opportunities for sport and recreation for the most vulnerable groups

AIM - we are committed to making South Cambridgeshire a place in which residents can feel proud to live

Approach

making affordable housing more available to local people
ensuring that affordable housing is in balance with the community
achieving a sustainable future for the Council's housing stock
working with local residents to promote community cohesion and addressing the needs of the most vulnerable in the community
extending and encouraging the use of recycling opportunities
working to improve the cleanliness of our villages
taking account of climate change in all the services that we deliver
promoting low carbon living and delivering low carbon growth through the planning system

Action

set up a forum of Parish Councils, housing associations and others to examine the workings of our exception sites policy in light of recent experience and current market conditions
include an appropriate proportion of retirement homes and accommodation designed for the elderly in the affordable housing allocation of each new major development
working with other agencies, adopt a revised Gypsy and Travellers policy by June 2009
extend plastic bottle recycling so that all villages and schools are served by 2010
introduce further opportunities for businesses to recycle their waste
by 2009 establish a programme of at least 10 Community Clean Up events per year throughout the District
on top of our regular litter picks, improve the verges alongside the A14 and A11 by in depth Spring and Autumn litter picks
install and empty litter bins at our 10 dirtiest lay-bys on the major roads into and out of the District
in addition to our regular street cleaning activities improve the appearance within 10 of our larger villages by increasing the amount of street cleaning that is undertaken
introduce our own Best Kept Village Competition
have a Climate Change Action Plan in place by 2010
work with Parish Councils on schemes for renewable energy and low carbon living

AIM - we are committed to assisting provision for local jobs for you and your family

Approach

working closely with local businesses
promoting economic development
using cultural activities effectively to promote tourism

Action

set up a Business Forum and introduce a series of regular Business Breakfast meetings in the District by 2009
support businesses to comply with the law while targeting those who flout it
promote the development and uptake of business space already allocated in the District
explore possible spin-offs from the London 2012 Olympics

AIM - we are committed to providing a voice for rural life

Approach

protecting existing communities, villages and the countryside
working more closely with Parish Councils and local Groups
implementing planning policies to achieve successful new communities
maximising planning gain for neighbouring communities
playing our part in improving rural services including transport links

Action

assist at least three Parish Councils to produce Parish Plans from 2009
introduce a new system of quarterly meetings to which all parish councils will be invited to send up to 2 representatives from 2009
ensure that each Cabinet Member attend at least three Parish Council meetings a year from outside their ward from 2009
by May 2009 assess the need for provision of new premises for small businesses
work with other organisations to develop a Community Transport Plan for the District by 2010