South Derbyshire District Council Committee approves Council Plan for 2024-2028

South Derbyshire District Councillors have approved an ambitious plan that outlines the Council’s vision and priorities, setting the course for the next four years.

When developing this plan, we have listened to feedback from our Elected Members, employees, partners and key stakeholders and have used this information to determine what is most important for us to deliver. The plan is a result of extensive collaboration with partners over an extended period to agree on the council’s direction, making it a collective effort.

Approved at Full Council on Wednesday 28 February, the Council Plan 2024-2028 will launch on 1 April 2024, replacing the previous corporate plan.

The plan centres around four key priorities: to Shape our Environment, Drive our Economy, Support our Communities, and Transform our Council. These priorities are all cornerstones to make tangible, positive and sustainable impacts for the people of South Derbyshire.

Ambitions within the plan include:

• Improving the health, wellbeing and leisure opportunities for all our communities and providing support for the most vulnerable. This will include increasing the availability and quality of affordable housing.
• Raising the social mobility of young people in the District and attracting further inward investment to greatly enhance Swadlincote town centre and other areas. 
• To become carbon neutral by 2030 through close working partnerships with stakeholders and local communities to tackle climate change together; elevate our award-winning green spaces and to enhance and extend our local biodiversity.
• To create a thriving economy that offers jobs, shills, education, infrastructure and opportunity to all. Achieving global recognition - by building upon our successful international connections and reputation; continuing to invest in green technologies; and to fully maximise new opportunities like the East Midland’s Freeport and Investment Zone.
• Positioning South Derbyshire in the international arena, whilst ensuring our day-to-day services are modern, responsive, effective and great value for money. Constant financial vigilance will maintain the council’s current robust and stable position.    

We will share our journey through regular reports that will be published on our website.

Councillor Robert Pearson, Leader of South Derbyshire District Council said: “I would like to extend my gratitude to all our partners, staff, parish councils and fellow councillors for their hard work and contributions in crafting such an exciting, comprehensive and ambitious plan.

“With agreed aspirations and a clear path ahead of us, the real work begins. By collaborating with our communities, I am confident that we can successfully chieve positive outcomes that secure a future of prosperity for people across South Derbyshire.”

Council Chief Executive, Dr Justin Ives added: “It’s an incredibly exciting time for South Derbyshire as the new Council Plan is implemented alongside the proud commemoration of the Council and District’s 50th anniversary.

“I look forward to embracing the challenge to deliver on the plan’s ambitions over the next four years. There are lots of opportunities open to South Derbyshire and I am confident we can make them a reality.”

To view the Council Plan 2024-2028, please visit The Council Plan 2024-2028 | South Derbyshire District Council.

1 March 2024