This is not a soap box from which to shout about things which we have not been involved in, but a factual report of real achievements brought about by listening to people, co-operating with everyone involved in the process and putting in the hard work to make it all happen. 

 

We have chosen the five headings as ones that affect most people closest to home and, accordingly, probably matter to them more than most. 

 

Whilst we realise that Sports and Leisure is not necessarily everyone’s cup of tea, the reason why we think it is so important is that it has a potential impact on everyone’s life, whether it is encouraging healthier life-styles (less demand on our GP and hospital services?), personal responsibility and discipline in the young (less anti-social behaviour and petty crime?) or social networking (closer and stronger communities?). 

 

Regeneration and Planning is about looking to the future, covering all aspects of our daily lives. It’s not just about the creation of the right jobs and right homes in the right places, but it is also about leisure amenities, shopping facilities and all the other things that make life a much happier existence. Even though a District Council may not have an absolute, direct impact on many of these things, it still has a reasonable degree of influence, through its partners and others, in a leadership role increasingly recognised by both the present and the last Government. 

 

Environment and Waste Collection are probably the two things that have the greatest impact on all our residents. Whether it is an efficient street cleaning process through all our towns, villages and rural roads or the maintenance of a weekly waste and recycling collection, these are services that are seen from people’s doorsteps. Quite rightly, they expect the highest quality for the most economic cost. 

 

The Quality of Life button reveals a more nebulous section, but covers all the activities and services that probably are less noticeable than the others. As an example, public parks, gardens and play areas are just three sectors which need constant attention, but which give so much pleasure to so many people of all generations. 

 

Finally, as residents and taxpayers, everyone is, more than ever, concerned about getting greater Efficiency and Value for Money. However, we believe that it is what any self-respecting organisation should be doing all the time, not just when a crisis comes along. Read how we have achieved that in the past (and don’t take our word for it – see how others have reported on us) and how we intend to achieve it in the future.