Cabinet highlighted the work the council has done to deliver priorities and support the community at a meeting on Monday, 10 July, as part of its fourth quarter and annual performance reports.
Achievements and highlights between January 2023 and March 2023 focus on priorities set out in its Corporate Strategy 2020-2024 as well as national challenges such as the cost of living crisis.
More street market events in Braintree town centre have been delivered, which will continue throughout 2023, making use of the new pedestrianised area to increase footfall and support local retailers.
A new five-year Healthy Housing Strategy was developed, demonstrating how Braintree District Council will work with partners to address housing need. Affordable housing continues to be a priority, with 53 new homes delivered, bringing the total for the year to 288. 238 cases of homelessness were also prevented through various interventions.
The council is working with communities to influence the planning and growth of their local areas through the development of local neighbourhood plans alongside parish and town councils, with nine more underway including in Earls Colne, Hatfield Peverel and Steeple Bumpstead.
£1million commitment was made to support residents across the district with the continued cost of living crisis, which will be rolled out to support families and residents during 2023.
A further £290,000 was secured for funding to deliver a safer streets programme, with activities underway working with the Community Safety Partnership to tackle perception of violence against women and girls in the night-time economy and neighbourhood crime for areas in Witham.
Working with partners, the council is continuing to deliver its cycling strategy, looking at how it can develop high quality, integrated cycle routes that are safe to use and connected across the Braintree district.
The Man v Fat football scheme to tackle obesity, which the council has supported through funding, has seen four teams sign up with 90% of participants losing weight, totalling over 390kgs in the year.
Over 500 local businesses have benefited from business support, advice and information and a series of free workshops were delivered to help businesses network, explore strategies for growth and improve prosperity. A job fair was hosted which attracted over 150 visitors to explore local job opportunities. The council also agreed its economic growth strategy, that sets out its priorities over the next five years to support businesses, improve skills, and make improvements to public transport, infrastructure and connectivity.
The new £16million Plaza enterprise and innovation centre opened which has continued to grow in its success, with more entrepreneurs and small businesses utilising the private offices and co-working spaces to help them innovate and grow. The £30million regeneration project at Victoria Square in Braintree town centre, commissioned by Braintree District Council, also reached completion.
Cllr Kevin Bowers, Cabinet Member for Resources and Performance at Braintree District Council, said: “Despite yet another challenging year due to the cost-of-living crisis, budget pressures and increasing demands for services, the fourth quarter and annual reports show another strong performance in meeting our priorities to provide support to residents and businesses. We’ll continue to do more to ensure communities are supported and work together with our partners to deliver and create more opportunities for our district.”
The performance management report can be viewed online on the council’s website.
Braintree District Council is now consulting with residents and businesses to help shape its new Corporate Strategy, a document that sets out its priorities for the next four years. Residents can have their say online at www.braintree.gov.uk/shapingyourdistrict.