North Kesteven District Council
Corporate Plan 2011-2015
> Establishes the council’s overall vision and priorities > Gives clear direction for resource planning and budget setting > Guides our relationships with the community and partner organisations > Outlines direction for service and team plans, and personal targets
Welcome
About North Kesteven
Welcome to the new corporate plan for North Kesteven, a plan designed to ensure that the Council continues to deliver excellent services for 100 flourishing communities in North Kesteven. The plan also tackles the main challenges facing the district, with actions identified to deliver priorities developed through widespread consultation. I am confident that we will deliver the aspirations described in this plan and I look forward to working with everyone to make a difference for all our communities.
In the heart of rural Lincolnshire, just south of the City of Lincoln, North Kesteven has two main towns: North Hykeham and the historic market town of Sleaford, as well as over 100 distinctive, rural villages. Covering 356 square miles, some 94% of the area is classified as green space. There is a growing population, currently at 105,700. The population of North Kesteven is slightly older than the national average and the population particularly the older population is expected to grow at a high rate over the next decade. Generally, people are becoming better off in NK. Most of the jobs come from industries in distribution, hospitality, public services and construction. Unemployment is low, although earnings are below average. However qualification levels are above average for the East Midlands and Great Britain. Average house prices are above the Lincolnshire and East Midlands averages but below the national average. Crime in the district is also low – the area is ranked as the eighth safest place to live in England. The health of people in North Kesteven is generally better than the England average although people are less healthy in two deprived wards (Billinghay and Sleaford).
Cllr Marion Brighton OBE Leader of the Council Introduction Boring. Bureaucratic. Irrelevant. Three words which describe corporate plans in many organisations, plans which promise much but achieve little. That’s not the NK way. This plan describes fifteen actions to deliver our priorities: our economy, our homes, and our communities. The plan also sets the agenda for improving the way we do things at NK, with 10 actions for improving services and driving efficiency in everything we do.
Ian Fytche Chief Executive
About the Council At a local level the country is divided into a series of local authorities or councils and voters in each area elect people to sit on the council and represent them. North Kesteven District Council comprises 26 wards. 43 Members of the Council are elected every four years. The Council appoints councillors to serve on an Executive Board (the principal decision making body of the Council), the Planning Committee, the Licensing Panel, the Standards Committee, Overview and Scrutiny Panels and a range of other committees and external organisations. North Kesteven is one of seven district councils in Lincolnshire, working in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council, 78 town and parish councils, NHS Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire Police, and a range of public, private and community sector partners. Partners work together through ‘Partnership NK’, preparing a community plan for the district to ensure that the total resource is allocated effectively and efficiently to deliver a shared ambition for NK. The Council employs around 375 people. The Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director manage the Council, currently supported by six service heads. The Council is a service provider, a regulator of important areas related, for example, to licensed premises, planning and food hygiene, a partner and a community leader, working to ensure that NK is a great place to live, work and visit.
North Kesteven District Council is an ambitious council with a strong track record. The Council is widely recognised for the quality of services as diverse as waste collection, planning, housing, culture, sport and arts, environmental services and community safety. The Council is also recognised as a high performing, value for money organisation, with the Audit Commission commenting that the ‘Council performs well with the resources it has available’. The Council is also recognised for innovation in delivering challenging priorities for the district. NK was the first council in the country to achieve 50% recycling, and the first to build energy efficient straw-built council houses. From June 2011, the Council will operate with five service divisions: › Development, Economic and Cultural Services Delivering services which shape the future of North Kesteven. › Housing, Partnerships and Communities Providing services for people and communities in North Kesteven. › Environment and Public Protection Providing services designed to protect and enhance the environment in North Kesteven. › Strategy and Customer Services Transforming the services of the Council, developing strategies for the council, and ensuring excellent customer service. › Business Management Ensuring that the Council’s finance, human resource, management and administration services work effectively to support delivery.
How we do...A Year of Achievement A Vibrant Economy:
Managing Change:
› Regeneration A Masterplan for Sleaford was developed, providing a focus for regeneration: new homes, new jobs, new shops, infrastructure and leisure opportunities. › Economic Development The Sleaford Station Business Centre opened for business, following the refurbishment of railway station buildings, providing eight new business units. and opportunities for new jobs and investment. › Heritage and Tourism Lottery funding of £436k has helped shape and promote Aviation Heritage in the District, bringing visitors to North Kesteven. › Business Support NK provides 66 Units for new and growing businesses, and achieved 90% occupancy during the year.
› 60,000 customers have used the new Planning Online service enabling customers to view and comment on planning applications online. › NKDC was the first to build affordable homes with straw; rewarded with the Green Apple award for environmental best practice. › 17 council properties have been completed in the District, as part of a programme to build 46 new council homes in NK. › Exceeded targets to deliver 150 affordable properties and 100 start on sites during 2010/11. 388 new affordable homes have been delivered since 2008, securing over £14million investment into the district.
Better Connections: › Almost £1m of public transport initiatives was secured as part of the agreement to redevelop the former Lincoln Castings foundry in North Hykeham. › A new bridge and path link across the A17 between Sleaford and Leasingham was opened.
A Sustainable Future: › NKDC has reduced its carbon footprint by over 4% in one year with a target reduction of 25% within five years. › The waste collection and recycling service appreciated by residents is being promoted as an example of good practice and efficiency by the East Midlands Improvement & Efficiency Partnership. Community Wellbeing: › Local Democracy Week involved almost 100 pupils in developing budget proposals for the district council › The Sleaford Shopmobility scheme was re-launched by the NK Access Group › Over 50 pupils aged 8-11 at local primary schools met with the local authorities to inform how they wanted services to be developed for them › The mobile play bus, known as ‘The Pod’, offers active play for young people living in rural communities › NKDC’s leisure provider introduced free swimming for young people aged under eight
NKDC is proud of the services which it provides for people who live, work and visit here. North Kesteven District Council has a strong track record backed by continuous improvement, high performance and value for money. The last few years have seen… › An extensive consultation exercise helped the Council and Partnership NK develop new priorities for the District. › Survey results showing that 75% of residents thought the Council performs well with the money it has available and 78% of residents rated the quality of Council services as good. › Efficiency savings since 2008 totalling £1.6 million, enabling investment in services and projects, and keeping the council tax low. › Further savings of £340,000 from service reviews, ensuring that NKDC has a balanced budget to achieve challenging savings whilst maintaining commitment to front line services. › Reaching the achieving level of the local government quality framework, demonstrating that NKDC has a commitment to fairness and providing services for all parts of the community. › A new partnership with West Lindsey, City of Lincoln and Lincolnshire County Councils, to develop a new local plan for the area, so that future growth is planned effectively and efficiently.
Measuring Success Our Plan 2011-15 ‘Our Community: Our Plan’ has recently been developed by ‘Partnership NK’ as the new Community strategy for North Kesteven. The Council’s corporate plan describes what NKDC will do to contribute to the delivery of ‘Our Community: Our Plan’. The corporate plan describes five actions for delivering our priorities, ten actions for improving the organisation, and 10 indicators for tracking the financial and organisational health of NKDC. The corporate plan is a ‘high level’ document, providing a lead to the organisation on those areas where a joined up approach is needed. The plan recognises that there are some areas which should be identified as corporate actions, and that there also needs to be the opportunity to respond to new challenges and opportunities. The plan is therefore a framework for action, with flexibility. Detailed activity planning will take place through five service delivery plans, recognising that planning is best undertaken by those who will be ‘doing the doing’. Service Delivery Plans will take the lead from the corporate plan, and ensure that team and individual objectives are aligned to corporate objectives, to create a ‘golden thread’ from organisation-wide vision through to day-to-day activity. Delivering Priorities Priorities are reviewed annually, with reference to an annual ‘state of the district’ report. Analysis contained with the state of the district report is used to identify challenges facing the district, and as the basis for consultation.
Our Economy 4.To promote and encourage the development of tourism. 5.To promote North Kesteven as an area that attracts new business and supports expansion of existing businesses includes the food and agricultural sector.
What we will spend on this priority… › The Council has included in its approved budget £396,100 for 2011/12 and £388,200 for 2012/13.
To promote the prosperity of North Kesteven What we plan to do… 1.To implement projects identified within the Sleaford Masterplan. 2.To develop a Masterplan for North Hykeham, and to implement projects identified within it. 3.To develop new workspaces for new and growing businesses in North Kesteven.
How we will measure success… › Project plans will be developed for actions 1, 2, 3, and 5, with milestones for delivering projects for each year. › Success in the development of tourism will be measured by the number of visits to NKDC visitor attractions, including the National Centre for Craft and Design, and the Natural World Centre. › In addition, the partnership will track changes in GDP, employment, the number of VAT registered businesses, and the value of tourism to the NK economy.
Our Homes
5.Increase the supply of homes for people with specific needs, for example, older people, vulnerable people, people with dementia.
What we will spend on this priority… › The Council has included in its approved budget £767,200 for 2011/12 and £793,500 for 2012/13 (this excludes any budget for the Council’s role as landlord).
How we will measure success… › A project plan will be developed to measure progress for action 1.
To provide good quality housing to meet the diverse needs of communities in North Kesteven What we plan to do… 1.Prepare a Local Plan, and an Infrastructure Delivery Plan, and ensure delivery. 2.Act as a responsible landlord and to increase the Council’s housing stock taking into account proposed changes to Housing Finance. 3.Work with partners to increase the stock of rented social housing, and affordable housing generally. 4.Bring empty homes back into use.
› Action 2 will be measured with reference to tenant satisfaction and the number of new homes provided. › Action 3 will be measured with reference to the number of affordable homes provided. › Action 4 will be measured with reference to the number of homes brought back into use. › Action 5 will be measured with reference to the number of housing units provided. › In addition, the partnership will also track the number of homes and affordable homes provided and the number of empty homes brought back into use.
Our Communities
What we will spend on this priority… › The Council has included in its approved budget £7,170,200 for 2011/12 and £6,896,400 for 2012/13.
How we will measure success… › Action 1 will be measured with reference to the carbon footprint from NKDC operations. › Action 2 will be measured with reference to resident satisfaction with regard to anti-social behaviour.
To promote the sustainability, wellbeing, safety and health of North Kestevens communities. What we plan to do… 1.Encourage sustainable living 2.Ensure that communities within North Kesteven remain safe 3.Encourage healthy and active living 4.Improve access to Council services 5.Support vulnerable residents
› Action 3 will be measured with reference to visitor numbers to NKDC sports and leisure venues and programmes. › Action 4 will be measured with reference to resident satisfaction with Council services. › Action 5 will be measured with reference to satisfaction with Council services amongst hard to reach groups. › In addition, the partnership will track progress through the health profile for North Kesteven, the active people survey of physical activity levels, the carbon footprint for the district, and the level of crime within the district.
Our Council
Develop VFM programme to ensure efficiencies continue to be identified through Service Reviews. Performance Develop a robust set of Corporate Health indicators that can be benchmarked with other local authorities. Reputation Ensure that the Council receives positive consultation outcomes and media coverage (locally and nationally).
To guide the Members and workforce in the way of working at North Kesteven What we plan to do‌ Human Resources Develop and implement a workforce strategy for North Kesteven. Develop a programme for managing change. Efficiency and Effectiveness Develop VFM and customer satisfaction indicators that evidence the Council’s position.
Partnership Develop new partnerships within North Kesteven and Lincolnshire to ensure that priorities for the district are delivered effectively. Governance and Fairness Assess the implications of the Localism Bill and implement changes as necessary. Review and update proposals for the assessment of community impact, equality impact, and the implications section of committee reports. Transparency Develop proposals for improving access to information and transparency.
What we will spend on this priority… › The Council has included in its approved budget £3,025,500 for 2011/12 and £2,892,500 for 2012/13.
How we will measure success › Each action will be measured through a project plan, through annual consultation with residents about quality, performance and value for money, and with reference to the Council’s values: • Efficiency and effectiveness • A learning environment • Access to services for everyone • Partnership working • Equal opportunities › Ten corporate health indicators will be developed to track the performance of the council with regard to its finances, resources, governance and efficiency.