SOUTH Lakeland has updated its plans to revive the district after the Covid pandemic.

The latest version of SLDC’s Council Plan was adopted at a meeting of the full council on Tuesday.

It sets out the council’s vision and priorities for the next five years.

The council has declared a climate emergency and is has set carbon reduction targets and developed an action plan to meet them.

The council has also declared a poverty emergency.

Deputy Leader Cllr Jonathan Brook said: “Our updated Council Plan clearly articulates our ambitions for an excellent quality of life in a district that is more beautiful, quieter and cleaner, with more comfortable, warmer and safer homes, more jobs in a thriving sustainable economy at the centre of a Morecambe Bay Economic Region and where everyone has access to the same opportunities."

Key change will also be emphasised towards fairness and reducing disadvantage and inequalities. Work on personal financial resilience will be redoubled as many people have been placed under financial stress due to the pandemic.

In the updated Council Plan four key priorities have been identified:

  • Working across boundaries – delivering sustainable regional growth across Morecambe Bay.
  • Delivering a balanced community – a South Lakeland for all ages.
  • A fairer South Lakeland – a district for everyone.
  • Addressing the climate emergency – a carbon-neutral South Lakeland.

Council leader Cllr Giles Archibald said: “Our Council Plan has never been more important.

“As we look towards recovery and renewal following the Covid pandemic, it sets out our ambitious vision and how we will work with our communities and partners to deliver excellent services and to ensure our district continues to be the best place to live, work and explore.

“The Council Plan reinforces our commitments on key priorities to reduce inequalities, deliver sustainable economic growth and respond to the very clear and dramatic threat posed by climate change and biodiversity loss.

"We have set ourselves targets in all these areas and we will continue to work with others to meet these challenges.’’

Further updates can be found on the SLDC website.