The Leader of Harlow Council, Councillor Dan Swords, has set out his five priorities for the council over the next year.
Announcing his priorities for the year ahead, the leader of the council, said:
“As the leader of your council, you need to know what my focus will be, so you can hold me directly accountable for what we are delivering for you.
“As your council, your priorities are our priorities for the year ahead. These are the five foundations I know will put our town on the road to a brighter future and make Harlow a better place to live, work, raise a family and start a business.
“This year, we will:
- Fix council housing by clearing the backlog in housing repairs so your home is fixed quickly and ensuring Harlow's council homes are for Harlow families.
- Restore pride in Harlow by tackling the issues in your street with better landscape maintenance, new estate car parking, estate replanting and, by working with Essex County Council; fix the potholes, street signs, railings and street furniture.
- Rebuild our town by transforming the town centre with a once-in-a-generation programme of regeneration, building new council homes for Harlow families and reviving left-behind neighbourhoods.
- Secure investment into Harlow to back local businesses, improve our infrastructure and create jobs and apprenticeships to grow Harlow's economy.
- Improve council services to ensure Harlow Council truly works for you, providing you the very best and most efficient services for the lowest possible council tax and making Harlow a better place to live, work and raise a family.
“I know that too many people feel that Harlow Council does not deliver for them. That is why today I have set out five promises to you for the year ahead to fix council housing, restore pride in Harlow, rebuild our town, secure investment into Harlow and improve council services. Those are your priorities, and they are the council’s priorities too. No politics, no tricks or ambiguity – you will know whether we are delivering on your priorities or not.
“My Cabinet and I will be working day in, day out to deliver for you. But this is not the limit of what we will do, this is the foundation. These are our immediate priorities and over the coming months, we will listen extensively to you to build a long-term plan for the future of our town.”
In addition to setting out these priorities for the year, a new Corporate Strategy for 2024 to 2028 is also being developed this year. An independent residents’ survey will be carried out in July so that residents' views are at the heart of the new strategy. Further extensive consultation will take place with residents and businesses during the summer and autumn.