Enabled building of more affordable homes despite loss of government grants
The council does not own or build houses itself but we do work closely with housing associations
, or social landlords, to help provide housing for people who may not be able to afford to rent or buy in the private sector. Over the past four years we have enabled the building of 196 affordable homes in the district both through the planning process and by making council-owned sites available, often at no cost to housing associations.
We have also changed our planning regulations so as to increase the proportion of affordable homes on new developments.
Central government cuts have slowed the pace at which affordable houses have been built. However, this year we have been successful in lobbying central government to restore some of the funding.
Promoted community safety and supported parish and town projects
Community Safety
We have listened to residents; concerns about anti-social behaviour and used our powers to bring it under control. Parts of Felixstowe, Leiston, Woodbridge have been designated as areas where the police can take action against people drinking in public and acting anti-socially.
We have followed this up by introducing designation orders in parts of Framlingham, Kesgrave, Martlesham and Rushmere St Andrew.
We have taken the lead in bidding for funds to install CCTV systems for a group of market towns in the district and will continue to press their case with government.
We have been closely involved in setting up the Safer Neighbourhood Team in Kesgrave. This has resulted in a considerable reduction in crime and we shall be working closely with the police, other councils and local volunteers as similar teams are deployed throughout the district.
Community Projects
Despite tight budgetary constraints we have continued to support towns, parishes and local organisations with community grants. Projects have included refurbishment of village halls and community centres, sports facilities and play equipment.
As well as directly contributing to projects, we also actively assist community organisations to identify and apply to other national and local funding organisations.
We have every intention of maintaining financial support to local organisations that seek to improve the quality of life of all our many communities.
Plan sensitive development balanced by genuine housing need
We are already in the process of drawing up what is known as the Local Development Framework (LDF). We are required to do this by central government and we have to do it within the constraints of the regional plan.
For Suffolk Coastal this will mean 10,200 new homes being built over ten years. Just over 6,500 of these are already in the pipeline, so the issue will be where we allow building of a further 3,700.
Our over-riding principle will be that we will respect the special character of the very different communities that make up the district. It is also essential that there is adequate infrastructure – schools, medical facilities, roads and public transport – to match the growth in homes and households.
We shall continue to make it clear to central government that we will only agree to their housing growth plans if they play their part by investing in our infrastructure needs.
Fight for a better health service in our district
We do not deliver health services in Suffolk Coastal and we have no control over either their management or their finances.
However, we do see it as part of our role to speak up for residents in Suffolk Coastal on health issues and, where there are shortcomings, to bring them to the attention of local NHS managers and government ministers.
We have played a prominent role in campaigning for the retention of hospital services in Felixstowe and Aldeburgh and strongly supported the proposed one-stop health centre in Saxmundham.
As the NHS remodels its services, we will monitor developments closely to try and ensure that words are matched by actions. The government has promised that we will have new powers to scrutinise other public service organisations. We intend to take full advantage of the opportunity.
Do everything possible to make homes available which local people can afford
Over the next five years we plan to enable an additional 120 affordable homes a year across the district.
There a number of ways in which this can be achieved through the planning system and by use of renovation grants.
As with all other housing developments, the siting and design of affordable homes will be subject to planning rules which respect the unique character of our district.
Encourage sport, arts and leisure, particularly for young people
Suffolk Coastal is a thriving centre for the arts. We believe that a good quality of life is dependent on having vibrant, diverse and high quality arts available for everyone. We give direct financial support to Felixstowe's Spa Pavilion Theatre and we will continue to promote and organise arts projects, including many for children and young people.
Sport offers commercial and career opportunites, promotes health and fitness for people of
all ages and can be an important diversion for the energies of young people. We are proud of
the services we offer through our sports and leisure centres. We will continue to actively support sports organisations throughout the district and provide a wide range of summer activities for young people.
For more details go to www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/yourfreetime
We want to involve young people in helping the council decide how we can best meet their needs. We have established a Youth Forum, initially with teenagers from Felixstowe and Woodbridge. We are keen to involve young people from across the district so they have a voice in what they want and how it can best be delivered.