Vale of Glamorgan Council has launched a new corporate plan for the next five years.
Vale 2030, which comes into effect on Tuesday, sets out how the local authority intends to be run over the rest of the decade.
The document, agreed by the council's cabinet last month, was put together using feedback from residents through a major public survey held last year, alongside the council's recent Panel Performance Assessment and input from councillors and partners.
The new plan sets out five key wellbeing objectives:
- Create great places to live, work and visit
- Respect and celebrate the environment
- Give everyone a good start in life
- Support and protect those who need us
- Be the best council we can be
The council says that although there are "obstacles ahead", the Vale 2030 plan aims to continue delivering for local residents through its vision of 'Strong Communities with a Bright Future'.
Council leader Lis Burnett said: "There has been much talk about the financial challenges facing local authorities, and while it is a fact that budgets have decreased dramatically over an extended period, it is important to focus on what we can do, rather than what we cannot."
"Vale 2030 is cause for real hope, it gives us reason to look forward with optimism and enthusiasm."
"A changing environment means we must do things differently, but that does not prevent us from continuing to deliver for our residents."
"In keeping with the innovative approach this council has adopted, one that has been so successful, we will embrace new ways of working and partner more closely with community groups, empowering them to create thriving localities with excellent facilities and plentiful opportunities."
"Though this council has celebrated many successes, we must not be complacent and stand still, but instead concentrate on improving to better support the citizens we serve."
Three key challenges - tackling poverty, climate change and inequalities - are set out in the Vale 2030 plan.
The council says it's target is to ensure that everyone can afford the essentials and a decent standard of living.
A spokesperson said: "Work is already underway to address poverty through housing, benefits advice, employment and education services, but within Vale 2030 is a commitment to do more."
The local authority's longstanding Project Zero continues - with an aim to reduce carbon emissions to net-zero by 2030 and work toward a net-zero Vale by 2050.
Its pledge stemmed from the declaration of a climate emergency in 2019, followed two years later by a nature emergency.
In terms of inequalities, the plan also includes a commitment to ensure council services are fair and accessible regardless of their age, sex, disability, religion or sexual orientation - with a further pledge to support the Welsh language.
The council has also set out its own key achievements over the past five years, including:
- Financial support to over 35,000 residents through Cost-of-Living Support payments
- Free school meals to all pupils from reception to year six ahead of the Welsh Government target
- 577 people helped into employment through the Communities for Work programme
- £55 million of regeneration funding secured
- 253 new council homes built and all council housing stock meeting Welsh Housing Quality Standards
- Average time reduced to arrange in-home care services for people who need assistance with daily activities
- The opening of South Point Primary School in Rhoose - the first net-zero carbon school in Wales
- The Vale of Glamorgan's recycling rate increased to 70.4 per cent
Looking ahead, the council's plan includes fresh pledges around partnership working - including greater collaboration with community groups, voluntary organisations, public bodies, local buisnesses and town & community councils.
A Vale Council spokesperson added: "This is a fundamental shift as the council moves to facilitate the provision of services at a local level – supporting partners to make a real difference within their specific locations."
An annual plan will be shared every spring focusing on the most pressing work facing the council to help meet long term goals set out in Vale 2030 - with systems in place to track progress, improve services and manage risks.
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