Bath & North East Somerset Council has made excellent progress in delivering on its commitment to improve people's lives despite the challenges posed by Covid-19

A report, to be considered by cabinet on Thursday 20 May, updates on the headway made by the council in delivering its Corporate Strategy and highlights how it has adapted to provide a comprehensive and compassionate response to the pandemic to meet the needs of residents and businesses.

The report describes the steps the council has been taking to address key priorities, such as tackling the Climate and Ecological Emergency, as well as setting out the challenges, including financial and staffing pressures, the council has overcome in doing so.

Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of the council, said: "Clearly our priority over the past twelve months has been to protect the most vulnerable and maintain key services. We reacted swiftly and I'm proud of the support we've provided to people across Bath and North East Somerset from individuals to businesses and schools to care homes.

"Our purpose is to improve people's lives and I'm pleased that in the most challenging of circumstances our staff and partners have continued to focus on this. The success of the Community Wellbeing Hub, which has provided help and advice to thousands of people over the past year through working in partnership, is a shining example of this.

"My focus and that of my new cabinet is on delivery and on listening to local residents and businesses.

"We've learned valuable lessons from Covid-19 including the importance of building resilience for the future and working with partners.

"With the advent of vaccines and mass testing, the balance is now shifting to supporting the recovery of local businesses- including our High Streets- and dealing with the enormous social and economic impact of Covid on people's wellbeing. Our Corporate Strategy is shaping our response- from supporting families on low incomes to access food, to improving our High Streets, more renewable energy schemes and sustainable travel.

"There is much work still to do and our finances continue to be severely impacted by Covid-19, but I believe that despite the challenges we've faced over the past year, we have made good progress on our roadmap to improve people's lives."

The Corporate Strategy, which was agreed in February 2020, sets out the aims of the council and its commitments; guides decision-making and spending plans and provides a framework for the delivery of services.

The report details the progress made towards delivering on the Corporate Strategy's twenty-four separate commitments. This includes measures to prepare for the future such as the introduction of the Clean Air Zone, a funding boost to reduce carbon emissions from buildings and the extension of the Green Homes Grants Scheme.

Schemes which are delivering for residents include the reopening of the Bathwick Towpath, the multi-million-pound investment in repairs to Cleveland Bridge and a blitz on litter in hedgerows and verges across the district.

Action taken focussing on prevention includes helping families access high quality affordable food and providing free school meals vouchers over the school holidays, allocating funding to support vulnerable residents facing fuel poverty and investing in community sports facilities.

To view the full report to cabinet click HERE : the report site