Following extensive consultation with the local community and key partners, Spelthorne Council has agreed to focus on these key priorities with the aim of improving the quality of life for the whole community. Our priorities for Spelthorne are:Community Safety
Reduce theft of and from motor vehicles
Tackle alcohol and related violent crime
Crime prevention and reassurance
Young People
Increase the level of satisfaction of young people living in Spelthorne
Increase the number of hours/weeks young people spend in healthy activities
Increase the satisfaction of the general population with the facilities available for younger people
Environment
Improve local bio-diversity
Encourage the early adoption of the Local Development Framework to help deliver the social, economic and environmental need of the Borough
Use the Home Energy Conservation Act provisions to tackle fuel poverty issues, helping individuals improve the energy efficiency of their homes
Boost our recycling rate to meet our statutory target
Improve satisfaction with street scene issues
Housing
Encourage the construction of sustainable new homes – particularly affordable homes that meet family needs
Introduce a choice-based lettings scheme
Increase the number of households prevented from becoming homeless
Encourage regeneration schemes to improve the quality of housing in the Borough and to achieve integrated sustainable communities
Independent Living
Supply meals on wheels to those that need it every day
Provide a personal alarm service and telecare facilities to those in need
Increase the provision of extra care housing in the Borough
Facilitate the provision of day care activities to the frailer, older people in greatest need
Ensure we have a concessionary fares scheme that is affordable and attractive to users
Economic Development
Undertake initiatives to improve our unemployment rate
Make best use of Spelthorne’s natural geographical advantages (close to London and major transport links) to improve our economic competitiveness
Undertake initiatives that improve the employability of Spelthorne’s workforce
Healthy Community
Encourage healthy lifestyles
Promote positive mental health
Community Engagement
Increase the level of influence local residents can have on decisions made that affect them
Revitalise Ashford, Shepperton and Sunbury Cross centres through regeneration projects
Sustainable Financial Future
In accordance with Reserves Policy maintain a minimum level of reserves in order to generate sufficient investment income to support the revenue budget
Eliminate reliance on reserves for general revenue budget purposes
Invest in business improvement to achieve ongoing revenue savings
Increase the amount of income we generate
Value for Money
Undertake business improvement reviews and implement recommendations in order to reduce our operating costs
Actively review the use of our assets
Improve our Use of Resources score through:
Managing risk actively
Improving our project management
Increasing customer satisfaction
Improving performance management to ensure effective service delivery
Improving the value for money that we provide
Increasing the value of efficiency savings from our procurement operations
Seek out opportunities to deliver services more efficiently, effectively and with greater resilience by working in partnership with other bodies
Effective Communications
Ensure residents are kept fully informed of our aims and what we are doing
Ensure we produce high quality, effective publications
Use both traditional and modern methods to maximise the range, accessibility and flexibility of our communications
Ensure that all our facilities and services are clearly signed as provided by Spelthorne Borough Council with published contact details
Developing Staff and Councillors
Develop, recruit and retain good staff
Help councillors to fulfil their role and develop as community leaders
Make best use of the Executive and Scrutiny arrangements recognising the positive role that both can play
