Housing issues and Stowmarket regeneration among targets in council’s new action plan
Speaking at the Annual Council Meeting on Wednesday (22nd May), Cllr Andy Mellen said a new action plan included a raft of initiatives. He added: “We are focused not just on the problems of today. We want to make a positive impact long into the future.”
It further builds on The Mid Suffolk Plan, which was adopted by the council in January and sets out a vision for the future of the district until 2027.
Cllr Mellen said:
But we’re ambitious, and there are so many exciting things happening in our district.
In the last year, for example, we’ve helped drive progress on Gateway 14, which is becoming an emerging centre for green and hi-tech industries - creating skilled jobs - while £18million has just been agreed for our Skills and Innovation Centre at the site.
Excellent new sporting facilities for Stowmarket have now been approved, we have invested in community transport for people in rural areas, helped dozens of communities enhance their local environment, and started to roll out a £2million initiative to make homes more energy efficient.
But there is much more we are doing to back communities, create opportunities, and achieve our vision for the district – which is underpinned by the principles of environmental sustainability and social justice.”
Cllr Mellen told the meeting that it remained an urgent priority to provide better council housing for tenants.
He said:
He outlined how Mid Suffolk will work with partners to help regenerate Stowmarket – with significant initiatives for the High Street and cultural investment in the pipeline.
Our partnership with Stowmarket Town Council has already resulted in a project to introduce a Town Ranger service. The initiative came from the town council, but we have been able to support it with funding – and we hope this will be a template for other initiatives.”
He said the council’s vision was to work with all towns and villages, helping them to deliver local projects and have their input into council decision-making.
Meanwhile, the council wants to encourage more community-led housing and stimulate the formation of Community Land Trusts – resulting in community ownership of land for affordable housing.
More action to combat climate change was also outlined, including a desire to explore how communities can create local renewable energy plans.
Cllr Mellen added:
Work to remove red tape around making listed buildings more energy efficient will continue.
More parishes will be supported to complete Neighbourhood Plans or People and Place Plans to help shape future development, with a renewed emphasis on good building design.
And additional plans to support people through the cost-of-living crisis are also set to be brought before the council.
Cllr Mellen announced at the meeting that Cllr Rowland Warboys would become lead member for Housing Solutions, and Cllr Colin Lay lead member for Stowmarket.