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Improvement Plan update

Published: 17/06/2014

Improvements made by Flintshire County Council last year will be reported to councillors at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday (17 June) when they will also consider an Improvement Plan for next year. The Council sets out its priorities for improvement every year in the Improvement Plan, working on overall targets to develop services and living standards across the County. Looking forward to 2014-15 the plan helps the organisation focus on certain areas and is divided into eight main priorities of Environment, Housing, Living Well, Poverty, Economy and Enterprise, Skills and Learning, Safe Communities and Modern and Efficient Council. This annual document provides the Council’s yearly Performance Report and demonstrates whether the Council is reaching its goals. Highlights from the 2013-14 plan included implementing the primary and secondary school modernisation plans; completing a scheme for updating technology infrastructure across all schools; providing more affordable housing in Flintshire and the development of the Extra Care supported living schemes. With the second complex complete in Mold, the Council is looking to build two more extra care facilities following the same model in Flint and Holywell. Another top priority has been helping more people to live well and independently at home and improving quality of life for residents, these remain on the agenda for next year. Last year the Council also committed to promoting Deeside as a recognised centre for energy and advanced manufacturing. Flintshire will continue developing investment opportunities into 2014-15 as well as meeting the needs of training and employment by providing apprenticeships and creating jobs. The new plan looks at establishing social enterprises to offer work placements and skills development. Other priorities in 2014-15 include the development of the Council’s Town Centre Master Plans to protect the vitality of Flintshire’s town centres and support economic activity; improvements to road safety and accessibility between homes, places of work and leisure facilities as well as a commitment to protect front line council services and make the best use of resources. Protecting people from poverty was high on the list of Council improvement priorities for 2013-14, with Welfare Reform being of particular concern. The Council continues to work to help prevent homelessness, to help people to claim the benefits that they are entitled to and to help manage the impact of Welfare Reform on the most vulnerable people in the county. For 2014-15 the Council will be also be focussing on domestic abuse and substance misuse as part of keeping communities safe. Councillor Billy Mullin, Cabinet Member for Corporate Management said: “By measuring achievements in the Improvement Plan the Council will remain focussed on the set priorities and improve services for the residents of Flintshire.” Councillor Aaron Shotton, Leader of the Council said: “These plans and reports prove the Council is progressive and constantly moving forward. They give a clear direction for improvement and help to set the agenda for future priorities.” Colin Everett, Chief Executive said: “The Performance Report will give a good indication of the progress the Council is making progress in areas highlighted as priorities. Some projects are finished, some are on-going and will move into next year but the important thing is Flintshire is reaching its targets and setting new priorities to develop the performance of the Council every year.”