Council's performance and priorities highlighted
We're delivering for the people of Norfolk and have ambitious plans for this year, a new report reveals.
Norfolk County Council's cabinet today (8th May) agreed the council's annual review report and a delivery plan for 2024-25, showing its priorities for this year.
County council leader, Councillor Kay Mason Billig, said: "I'm proud that the county council continues to deliver for the people of Norfolk, despite the financial challenges that local government faces.
"I would encourage everyone to read our plan for this year, to be aware of all the good work that continues to be done. Please be assured of our unwavering commitment to make Norfolk the best it can be."
Highlights of the council's performance over the last year include:
- Agreeing a £600 million-plus devolution deal to bring powers and funding from Westminster to Norfolk
- Spending £1.5 million per day on adult social care, including help for 11,000 people to return home from hospital.
- Securing £49.5 million of Government funding to improve bus services, with an 18 per cent rise in passenger numbers.
- Delivering ultra-fast broadband to more than 6,900 premises, with superfast broadband now covering 97.3 per cent of properties.
- Serving more than 1.8 million library customers.
Key priorities for this year include:
- Delivering the devolution deal and an economic strategy for Norfolk, to boost jobs and skills
- Delivering better quality, local and affordable care for children, including more foster carers
- Continuing to deliver supported living housing programmes for adults
- Delivering library hubs, including a range of services, in King's Lynn and Great Yarmouth
- Completing the roll-out of LED streetlighting, to cut costs and carbon emissions
Cabinet has also discussed the start of its budget planning process for next year. The council's current savings target is £44.7 million.
The council's deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, Councillor Andrew Jamieson, said: "With an upcoming general election, there is a lot of uncertainty. However, I am confident that, by starting our planning now, we can deliver a robust, balanced budget next year."