Braintree District Council Corporate Strategy 2008 -2012 was agreed by full council in February 2008.  Full details can be obtained by clicking on the following link - Corporate Strategy 2008-2012

Our Direction & Ambition 2008 - 2012:

We will ensure that people enjoy growing up, living and working in the Braintree District because it is a place where:

1. The environment is clean and green

2. Business is encouraged and the local economy prospers

3.  Everyone can enjoy a healthy lifestyle

4. Housing and transport meet local needs

5. People take pride in their local areas

6. We deliver excellent cost effective and valued services

Details below outline what we will aim to achieve under each of the objectives by 2012.

1. The Environment is Clean and Green

By 2012:

<>   The amount of waste being land-filled in the District will have been reduced

<>  The standards of cleanliness and the appearance of the District will have improved

<>  The Biodiversity of the District will have been protected and enhanced

<>  The District will have a clear response to the risks facing it by climate change

<>   Improved standards of environmental sustainability will be included in all new developments in the District

<> Braintree District Council's carbon footprint will have been reduced

2. Business is Encouraged and the Local Economy Prospers

By 2012:

 <>   Work on the regeneration of Witham, Braintree and Halstead Town Centres will have started

<>  Opportunities for long-term, inward business investment in the District will have increased

<>   Basic skills levels and vocational training opportunities in the District will have improved

<>   We will have lobbied to secure key infrastructure improvements in the District

3. Everyone can enjoy a Healthy Lifestyle

By 2012:

<>   Our leisure facilities, parks and open spaces will have improved and more people will be using them

<>   Young people will be able to more easily access local facilities

<>   More play facilities will have been provided for children and young people to enjoy

<>   We will work to secure improvements to local health facilities and access to health services

<>   More people will feel that the District is a safe place to live

4. Housing and Transport meet Local Needs

By 2012:

<>   More affordable and environmentally sustainable housing will be provided for local people

<>   A balanced range of good quality and environmentally sustainable housing will be available

<>   Plans will have been developed to ensure that the District can cope with appropriate long-term housing and business growth

<>   People who rent their homes will have more choice about where they live

<>  Transport providers will have been encouraged to provide services which better meet local transport needs

<> The community transport scheme will have been improved to further meet the needs of elderly and vulnerable people

<> Improvements will have been made to the way vulnerable and young people who live in areas with limited facilities and public transport can access services

5. People take Pride in their Local Areas

By 2012:

<> People will have a greater understanding about the Council and what it does

<> More people will take part in local democracy and in decisions which affect their local areas

<> More people will feel that the District is a good place to live

<> The voluntary and community sector will be better placed to respond to local needs

6. We deliver Excellent, Cost Effective and Valued Services

By 2012:

<> All of our services will have been robustly reviewed and improvements put in place

<> People will find it easier to contact us and we will provide speedier responses

<> Greater use will be made of our web-site and more transactions will be able to be dealt with electronically

<> People will be able to access a range of public services through a shared 'one stop shop' office and customer service facility

<> People who come to live in the District will be able to easily find out about the District and the services that are provided here

>< Our citizens will be more satisfied with how they feel about the Council and about whether we provide value for money