Council reveals FIVE priorities for upcoming financial year following pandemic - The Redditch Standard

Council reveals FIVE priorities for upcoming financial year following pandemic

Redditch Editorial 12th Sep, 2020   0

FIVE priorities have been put forward as key for Redditch in the coming financial year as the borough emerges from the coronavirus pandemic.

The five were outlined by council chief executive Kevin Dicks, after being quizzed by Labour group leader Councillor Bill Hartnett, during the presentation of the borough’s comprehensive ‘Recovery and Restoration Plan’ to the authority’s all-powerful executive committee on Tuesday, September 8.

While welcoming the initiative, Coun Hartnett said: “It’s a very detailed plan but they can’t all be priorities – it needs to be clear – what are the top five priorities?”

In reply, Mr Dicks named:




1) Preparing for a second wave of Covid-19 while hoping it doesn’t come.

2) Economic recovery – adding he was ‘really fearful’ at the impending closure of Chancellor rishi Sunak’s furlough scheme which ends on October 31.


3) The future operating model of the council – using the current situation to ‘truly transform the financial stability of the council’.

4) The impact of Covid-19 on the council’s Housing Revenue Account which is in danger of falling £2million into the red as families struggle to pay their rent.

5) The impact on the most vulnerable people in the borough.

Members also heard their plan would fit alongside a further, county-wide, multi-agency economic recovery plan.

Council Leader Coun Matt Dormer said: “I think this is a very good plan and we will do our utmost to deliver it.”

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