Ambitious vision for West Suffolk Council Strategic Priorities for 2024-2028

20 Dec 2023

New ambitious plans to help deliver affordable, available and decent homes, environmental resilience, sustainable growth and thriving communities have been agreed  by West Suffolk Council.

The Council approved the new draft West Suffolk Council Strategic Priorities for 2024 to 2028 at its meeting on Tuesday, 19 December.

The vision and priorities, outlined in the document, are designed to make sure West Suffolk Council continues to address the needs of local communities and of future generations.

Importantly, the document also highlights how, through strengthened engagement, the voices of local people will be at the heart of shaping what the council does. This step change in engagement will further enable councillors and communities to come together to tackle issues and design initiatives.

The draft vision is:

Working across West Suffolk, we will support the district to flourish by focusing on the delivery of:

• affordable, available and decent homes
• environmental resilience
• sustainable growth
• thriving communities

The challenges faced by West Suffolk residents are also highlighted in the document which will be used as a guide to what the council wants to achieve and how it will do it.

Included in the document are ambitious proposals to introduce 40 per cent affordable homes targets for developments, where appropriate. In addition work will be done to establish a Commission to look at the issues faced in delivering new housing in Brandon which is currently limited due to its surrounding unique national habitats.

Central to the new priorities is also a commitment to make sure essential services that communities and businesses rely on continue to be delivered.

In a joint statement Cllr Cliff Waterman, Leader of West Suffolk Council, and Cllr Victor Lukaniuk, Deputy Leader of West Suffolk Council, said: “We are proud to represent and champion West Suffolk and share a strong commitment to serving all residents, communities and businesses, addressing common challenges and improving prospects and quality of life for all.

“Our plans will enable more people to find the right home in the right place in West Suffolk, with opportunities to improve their health and wellbeing. Through our work with partners, residents will be able to gain the education, skills and jobs they need to succeed. Our work will also help grow a sustainable economy that supports existing and new businesses. At the same time, we want to preserve what we currently have that is good – stunning countryside areas and parks, and communities who support one another.

“We are committed to listening to people from towns and villages across West Suffolk, and from all backgrounds, to make sure our decisions are shaped by their knowledge and experience. Over the coming months and years, we want to hear about the needs and aspirations of local communities, and to work together on shared solutions that make a real difference.

“Communities rely on us getting the essentials right. It is vital that we carry on delivering, in ever-challenging financial times, high-quality services that residents and communities rely on every day. Which is why this also forms an essential part of the council’s strategic priorities and how we ensure a fair, thriving and sustainable future for West Suffolk.”

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