Fenland Council’s annual draft Business Plan and Budget now open for public consultation

Fenland District Council has set out how it plans to serve the district over the next 12 months in the face of unprecedented challenges – and is encouraging the public to have their say.

Residents are being invited to share their views on the Council’s Budget proposals and Draft Business Plan for 2021/22, which identify the authority’s key priorities for the year and explain how it will manage its finances.

The consultation, which is being held solely online this year owing to ongoing coronavirus restrictions, runs until Tuesday 2 February. You can read the plan and proposals, and take part in the consultation, at: www.fenland.gov.uk/yourviews2021.

The Draft Business Plan outlines the council’s four key priorities for 2021/22 –communities, environment, economy and quality organisation – and introduces an additional section this year, Council for the Future, which sets out the scope and progress of 12 transformational projects chosen by Cabinet members.

These council for the Future projects, together with the authority’s Covid-19 Recovery Plan, will be crucial in supporting the organisation to adapt and reshape to be able to respond effectively to future needs, aims and challenges as they arise.

The projects include pursuing appropriate commercialisation and property investment opportunities, continuing to tackle school holiday hunger, transforming empty homes and providing safer homes for tenants, developing a new Local Plan, protecting the environment and modernising the way services are delivered.

Councillor Chris Boden, council leader, said: “The council’s Business Plan and budget are refreshed every year and formally approved by full council each February.

“During the period of this plan, the council will face significant financial challenges as continued austerity, coupled with the impact of coronavirus, affect both the demand for services and the level of resources the Council has available to fund their provision.

“The pandemic continues to have a profound impact on our residents, partners and local businesses, as well as our workforce and finances. But despite the difficult challenges posed, the council remains fully committed to supporting the local economy and delivering high-quality services and projects that serve the district well now and into the future.

“We want to work with you to achieve our aspirations for the district so I would encourage as many people as possible to have their say in the consultation.”