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2013 has been a pivotal point in our history and future. In South Lakeland, our local plan was found ‘sound' by the planning inspector after six years of hard work, much consultation and a large amount of resistance. It is about job creation, housing and health. The necessity for affordable housing in one of the most distinctive landscapes in the UK continues to be a priority, along with the jobs required to diversify our economic base and exploit our advanced manufacturing growth in the Furness area while supporting the traditional industries vital to our district. The infrastructure required to create the right environment for growth and sustainability is significant. Our local enterprise partnership (LEP) is at an early stage and the major projects are still not all oven-ready. Our own target of 1,000 additional jobs and 1,000 additional affordable homes this decade may not seem much to many, but, for us, it is a significant effort to achieve even these numbers. Our employment is high, but our wages, low. We have used our New Homes Bonus for what we feel it is there for – stimulating housing growth and rewarding communities that take on the burden of that growth. The welfare reforms have not yet had the effect that may have been anticipated, but it is early days and it affects all councils differently. Our county colleagues have significant challenges ahead and I would urge that we work together so that we avoid those unintended consequences. While finances remain tight, we have a plan. We have spent many years looking at our efficiencies, our responsibilities and what we spend our money on. We have frozen our element of the council tax for the last four years, but this has had a negative effect on our baseline and cannot continue indefinitely. Investment in key assets for income generation, such as car parks, is not a popular option in some quarters. The LEPs and health and wellbeing boards are an opportunity to showcase how our two-tier system can give residents and businesses the best of both worlds. That is a challenge we have yet to conquer, but one we relish and look forward to in 2014. Lawrence Conway is chief executive of South Lakeland DC

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District View: We have a plan

By Lawrence Conway | 18 December 2013

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