Council's five-year plan - what does Whitstable think?

What do you think Canterbury City Council should be focusing on? The council has just published a draft corporate plan for the next five years and is inviting comments from people living in Whitstable, Herne Bay and Canterbury.

The draft plan - which will be considered for adoption by the council's ruling executive in September - comprises 10 'pledges' to be delivered from 2011-2016:

• We will support the growth of our economy and the number of people in work
• We will tackle disadvantage within our district
• We will encourage greater involvement for local people
• We will strive to keep our district a safe place to live
• We will support improvements to tackle traffic congestion and the state of our roads and pavements
• We will make our district cleaner and greener and lead by example on environmental issues
• We will support facilities and activities for children and young people
• We will plan for the right type and number of homes in the right place to create sustainable communities in the future
• We will support excellent and diverse cultural facilities and activities for our residents and visitors
• We will support a broad range of sporting and fitness facilities and activities

You can read the detail online, where there are surveys you can complete to have your say.

It has to be acknowledged that all local authorities are facing cuts in funding from government at this difficult economic time, but Canterbury Council claims its approach for the future is not about reducing services.

In a statement issued with the draft plan this week, CCC says 'the council will maintain standards wherever possible and make things happen by improving the way it works with the community and partners'.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Has CCC got its priorities right? Do you think the aims are achievable with less money available? Is the council going to have to rely on 'the big society' to take on more community work?