newsnk
Check out the latest food hygiene ratings pages 8-9
The newspaper for all North Kesteven residents
Winter 2015
NK Plan sets out vision for making a difference
Council calls for residents to shape its service plan up to 2019 The Council is setting out its plan for continuing to make a real difference for residents, businesses and communities in North Kesteven. Whilst undertaking thorough consultation through to January on its three-year vision to ensure delivery of excellent services and robust responses to the main challenges facing the District, the Council is clear in its aspirations. The NK Plan describes what the Council plans to do, how, and the resources to deliver it; simplifying its commitment to continued and expanded service delivery, into 15 focused ambitions surrounding: > Jobs growth and economic regeneration; > Increased supply and quality of housing; > Support for safe, cohesive, fit and active communities; > High quality, effective, efficient and customer-focused services. These link to the Council’s four priorities:
Our Economy, Our Homes, Our Communities and Our Council. The Plan has been shaped and sharpened in its focus through consultation with partners and will be further influenced by residents’ input to ensure clarity of purpose in relation to the Council’s vision for its 100 Flourishing Communities. The conduct of 1,000 conversations over 100 days with residents, tenants, Members, businesses, young people and partners continues. > Find out more detail and contribute at www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/cpconsultation Alongside the NK Plan, the Council is also preparing its budgets through to 2019, confident of achieving balanced books whilst developing new and improved service provision and continuing to invest in new homes, job creation and community resilience. These will all be settled by the Full Membership of the Council in February.
The NK Plan captures the Council’s ambitions for 2016-19, simplifying extensive delivery plans into 15 ambitions linked to four priorities Our Economy: support business growth and jobs in NK; regenerate NK; drive investment in NK. Key activities for next year include: > Work with partners to drive forward regeneration projects in Sleaford and North Hykeham > Further develop Teal Park / LN6 > Support for the next phase of the International Bomber Command Memorial development. Our Homes: adopt the local plan; increase the supply of housing in NK; maintain and improve housing in NK; provide high quality housing services across NK. Key activities for next year include: > Begin construction of at least 57 new Council houses > Re-model Sleaford’s Newfield Road estate > Complete the Local Plan by December 2016 > Progress key development sites in Sleaford and Witham St Hughs > Bring at least 20 empty homes back into use.
Our Communities: attractive, clean and sustainable NK; safe and inclusive NK; fit, active and vibrant NK; supportive NK; community NK. Key activities for next year include: > Launching the newly refurbished NK Sports Centre in North Hykeham as ONE NK > Launching our new 5 year Community Plan > Investing in the ongoing roll-out of high speed broadband. Our Council: customer focused NK; high quality, value for money NK; open and accountable NK. Key activities for next year include: > Relocation of the Metheringham Refuse Depot > Roll-out of new strategies around customer access and ICT > Ongoing delivery of the Council’s transformation programme and sound financial strategy > Implement a strategy focused on staff skills.
Our Communities
pages 6 & 7
01529 414155
Wondrous walks in a Winter Wonderland Winter offers some of the most wonderful opportunities to see North Kesteven in all of its stripped-back beauty. With countless countryside paths and urban routes criss-crossing the District, step out over the holidays to discover the District in a new light.
On Saturday January 2 get the New Year off to a brisk start with a stroll along Sleaford’s riverside (pictured) starting at 10.30am from Cogglesford Watermill. This is a free activity. For more ideas of activities and family fun throughout the winter see pages 14 & 15.
Our Homes
pages 10 & 11 info@n-kesteven.gov.uk
www.n-kesteven.gov.uk
Our Economy
pages 12 & 13