FIRST 100 DAYS - COUNCIL’S NEW LEADER IS ACTION MAN!
Cllr Tony Jefferson has reached his first milestone as Leader of Stratford District Council and has marked 100 days in his new role by announcing actions undertaken, across a wide range of progressive and innovative projects, which impact on the whole of the district and its residents.
As Tony Jefferson explained: “It’s definitely been a case of hitting the ground running since 16th May, whilst being genuinely committed to listening to local people about issues that matter most to them. A solid start has been made towards the target of achieving a series of big tasks and that’s down to having a focused and joined-up team approach between the new Cabinet and officers, who are all working hard to make a difference and make Stratford District a better place to live, work and visit.”
Highlights of the new Council’s leadership in the first 100 days, which was officially on Thursday 23 August 2018, include actions undertaken in the following five key areas:
Homelessness, Housing, Health and Wellbeing
- Investment of £1.4 million for the purchase of temporary accommodation for homeless people to eliminate reliance on costly B&B’s
- Earmarking of £50,000 boost to support residents who may be at risk of homelessness. Keeping people in their homes is more cost effective in the long term
- Introduction of tougher and higher standards for landlords and agents letting properties as house of multiple occupation to increase the quality of local rented accommodation for our residents
- Secured additional investment from Everyone Active in new technology for the new virtual classes at Stratford Leisure Centre
- Advancing the replacement and enhancement of CCTV
- Served notice on Greig Hall trustees to secure its future as a vibrant facility for Alcester’s residents
- Confirmed Housing Land Supply of 6.26 years, which helps protect the district from uncontrolled and speculative development
- Forging ahead with the Canal Quarter Scheme
- Working with the Syrian resettlement programme
Traffic improvements
- Mark Cargill, Deputy Leader, is a full member of the A46 partnership playing a part in delivering planned infrastructure improvements to the A46 between M5 Junction 9 and M6/M69 at Coventry
- Advancing the SWRR funding bid to final stage
- Kick-starting progress on Birmingham Road traffic flow improvements
District Economy
- Started compulsory purchase order proceedings on Wellesbourne Airfield to safeguard the heritage of the airfield and over 200 jobs
- Acquired Studley medical centre
- Investigating the potential redevelopment of the Studley Centre
- Driving the rural broadband scheme
- Increasing engagement and meetings with key stakeholders including, Jaguar land Rover, NFU Mutual and Warwick University
- Work underway on Industrial Strategy for the District
Effective Partnerships
- Reignited relations with the LEP, WMCA and Warwickshire County Council
- Warwick District Council – first ever joint Cabinet meeting in October 2018
- Now member of North Cotswold Rail Group
Shaping the Council for the Future
- Started the SDC transformation programme
- Appointment of New Executive Director following comprehensive selection process
- Work underway on revised Corporate Strategy for the Council
- Revised financial reserves policy in place
- Investment in upgrading new software programme delivering tools/package for SDC Research and Statistics Team
- Sanctioned modernised internal reporting tools/packages including new land charges system to speed up house sale transactions
Tony Jefferson added: “Under my leadership I can promise everyone that Stratford District Council will continue to work just as hard in the next 100 days and beyond, and that we will find creative and innovative ways to react to the challenges which undoubtedly lay ahead of us in the future. The Council is not a ‘one man band’; all members of Cabinet are committed to delivering results and the development of the Cabinet as a team is impressive. There is definitely a more collegiate approach. Working in this way we can deliver more for local residents and unlock the potential of the whole District. We are all committed to behaving with integrity and being honest with people, even when it may be uncomfortable. We have developed a much more open working relationship with officers based on mutual respect and trust. This is already paying dividends in terms of responsiveness and speed of delivery. A positive start has been made, but there is still much to do in the remaining days as we head towards the Local Elections next May."
Other members of the Cabinet include: Cllr Mark Cargill (Deputy Leader), Cllr Mike Brain, Cllr Jacqui Harris, Cllr Maurice Howse, Cllr Lynda Organ, Cllr Daren Pemberton and Cllr Stephen Thirlwell.