Decision details

Councillor Rolfe presented a report setting out progress against the Corporate Plan Delivery Plan for the period July to September 2017/18.  He said good progress had been made as summarised in the report, in particular with the establishment of the Youth Council, the completion of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, completion of the research stage of the social isolation project, and approval of a grant of up to £300,000 towards to the cost of providing a new college at Stansted Airport. 

Councillor Dean said the summary omitted reference to giving priority to protecting and enhancing the character of the District, which he felt was a weakness in the Plan.  Stansted’s main streets were dirty and householders’ frontages were untidy.  The Council was aiming for exemplar Garden Communities, and he would not want the existing communities to be a poor contrast.  He suggested a campaign to ask people to consider what they could do themselves to address such matters, not just expecting the Council to do things for them.

Councillor Rolfe said this point was well made.  The Highway Rangers carried out much clearing work, and campaigns had taken place, but the suggestion would be considered.  Continuous improvement was the aim, and the situation was not too bad. 

Councillor Ranger said he agreed with the point made, as he was in dialogue with the County Council regarding vegetation growth on traffic islands and footpaths, in particular regarding obscured road signs.