A strategy which sets out what the council is prioritising to deliver for its residents and the city in the coming years to create a city of opportunity for all will go before Cabinet members for approval on Tuesday (11 February).
The Corporate Strategy, which has recently been updated, is an important document for the council and sets out how we will refocus our resources to deliver a clear set of priorities.
Last autumn, residents were asked to give their views on a draft set of priorities for the next four years as part of the Shaping Our City consultation. This saw the council engage with people in a number of different ways – face to face, online and on social media. Cross-party councillors have also inputted into the production of the strategy.
The version now presented to Cabinet, incorporates feedback from residents, including the need for a greater focus on improving the city centre, recognising the value of leisure and culture in the city, and including reference to support for young people with learning disabilities as they transition into adulthood and beyond.
The strategy sets out the core priorities for the next three years which are:
The Economy and Inclusive Growth – this includes increasing the wealth of residents through better paid jobs, delivering major growth and new homes, with net zero ambitions underpinning everything we do.
Prevention, Independence and Resilience – we will support residents to be healthy and independent, focusing on everything from debt management to housing crisis and support for young people entering adulthood to care for the elderly.
Sustainable Future City Council – this includes a strong focus on financial sustainability, investing in our staff so that we have the best people and the right skills, and a focus on improving our use of digital, data and analytics.
Children and young people - we will provide the best support possible for vulnerable children and young people, including keeping them safe and providing school, including for those with special education needs. We'll ensure every child in our care receives the same opportunities that we would all strive to achieve for our own children.
Councillor Dennis Jones, Leader of Peterborough City Council, said: “This is a strategy which will play a key role in service delivery over the next few years and put simply will guide where we spend our time and money to create a city which offers opportunities for all.
“We achieve so much every day for the residents of our city and this document demonstrates the breadth of services we provide and how we touch the lives of every resident.
“I’d like to once again thank everyone who got involved in the Shaping Our City consultation last year and took the time to give us their views.
“As I said when we launched the consultation, we are honest about the fact that we cannot continue to be all things to all people, and we must cut our cloth accordingly to continue to stay afloat financially.
“This updated strategy sets out clearly where we will prioritise our efforts to meet the needs of our residents and to continue to improve and develop the city.”
If Cabinet approves the updated Corporate Strategy on 11 February, it will then go to Full Council for sign-off on 19 February.
Also on the agenda for next week’s Cabinet meetings is the draft 2025/26 budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy up to 2028. Members will be asked to recommend approval of the documents to Full Council when it meets on 19 February.
You can read the agenda in full here.