North Kesteven will benefit from millions in investment over the next three years, in a refreshed plan which charts how the District and its communities will be supported and strengthened through various actions up to 2026.
Members unanimously approved North Kesteven District Council’s NK Plan 2023-26 last week at full Council, on Thursday 2 March. The plan maps specific actions for the Council, working together with its partners, to help ensure a positive future for the District and communities which can keep flourishing.
In the three-year life of this NK plan to 2026 the amount of capital investment for North Kesteven by the Council will total £108 million, as part of its broader £255 million capital programme for the next ten years up to 2033.
The actions in the plan range from delivering the first phase of a 37-acre business park in Sleaford later this year to developing a tourism strategy for North Kesteven, moving forward a £4.2 million regeneration of former sheltered housing in North Hykeham and delivering the early stages of the bold, overarching 10-year capital programme for the District.
The NK Plan is refreshed yearly to respond to the needs of the District and its actions are mapped out across five key priorities: - the environment including climate action; healthy communities; a strong local economy; quality homes; and maintaining a strong and effective Council.
Everything across the NK Plan is linked to the Council’s aim for the District and authority to become net zero carbon by 2030. It also highlights ongoing work on health and help for the most vulnerable in the current economic challenges.
Investments and ambitions in the NK Plan 2023-26 include:
- Increasing cycling infrastructure to support active travel, promoting equality and diversity and being responsive to cost of living pressures for our communities;
having already delivered from the NK Plan in recent years a £1.2 million refurbishment of the Hub in Sleaford, generated over £28,000 for good causes through the North Kesteven Lottery, and awarded 110 community-focused volunteers and businesses over 12 years as NK Community Champions.
- Moving forward on our environment and action on climate including £20 million initial plans to retrofit more than 600 of the least energy-efficient Council homes and fulfilling with partners a review of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan with an aim to it becoming the first of its kind to aim for carbon neutrality;
having already from the NK Plan completed improvements for biodiversity through the Witham/Slea Blue Green Corridor Project in partnership and with European Regional Development Fund monies, and set out interventions through the Council’s climate strategy and action plan.
- Delivering the first phase of Sleaford Moor Enterprise Park by summer 2023 for jobs and new potential for our economy, developing a tourism strategy for North Kesteven together with destination partners and progressing actions set out in a £3.2 million package of UK Shared Prosperity Fund projects for North Kesteven;
having already delivered from the NK Plan previously 15 new workshops at Discovery Court in North Hykeham and the National Heritage Lottery funded restoration of Mrs Smith’s Cottage in Navenby.
- Securing a pipeline of quality homes in North Kesteven including working with developers to deliver at least 100 more affordable homes built to a higher specification, plus working with owners of empty homes to bring back into use at least 20 more annually and moving forward the regeneration of Grinter House in North Hykeham;
having already from the NK Plan delivered eight Passivhaus homes at Potterhanworth last year as part of the ongoing delivery of quality Council homes, launched an incentive in partnership to help tackle homelessness and last year completed 42 homes in Waddington through Lafford Homes as it brings forward more private rental choice. - Continuing to deliver a bold 10 year capital programme as our council and ensuring sound finances and a balanced budget are maintained.
The NK plan is shaped in several stages including through engagement with partners, in turn creating a collective focus for action together in North Kesteven.
It’s supported by the Council’s £255 million ten-year investment programme which focuses on actions including delivery of housing which meets high standards of climate and Passivhaus principles, investment into the economy to secure jobs and growth, wellbeing and leisure provision and more.
Members at full Council on March 2 welcomed and unanimously approved the NK Plan 2023-26, after being recommended to Council by Executive Board.
Council Leader Councillor Richard Wright said: “The NK Plan is not words on paper but instead a living document, responsive to the needs of our communities both now and looking ahead to what they need in future to flourish. It also charts our Council’s progress on delivery of these things.
“This NK Plan maps out a number of exciting actions over the next three years, such as the continued provision of quality homes and investment to keep championing our strong local economy and tourism offer, but also focuses on the holistic things needed for people to live healthy and fulfilling lives in North Kesteven including access to good services and facilities.
“Of course, it also serves as a map for us to work with partners and connect our actions together for the District as a whole, and even broader ambitions.
“We’re proud that it is a plan focused on delivery, and I look forward to seeing how the actions identified in this NK Plan 2023-26 are implemented.”
Also heard at full Council was the authority’s balanced NK Financial Plan 2023/24, which is a continuation of the authority’s constant work to stay a strong and financially stable Council which can invest in and support its communities while delivering excellent and essential services.
Monies available thanks to this solid financial planning will now be used to accelerate important decarbonisation work at three leisure venues – investing in both climate action and good health and wellbeing – following a proposal approved within the NK Financial Plan.
A key element in maintaining the Council’s financial stability and ability to invest in delivery and services is Council Tax. A proposal for an increase in the District Council’s annual share of Council Tax for 2023/24 by 2.76% is also now approved, following Council on March 2.
It equates to £4.95 more for homes at Band D, and which for most homes would be charged at the lower rates of around £3.30, £3.85 or £4.40 more in Bands A to C, across the whole year for everything the Council does.
With the District Council only retaining less than 10% of the full Council Tax charge, this funding stream is important in meeting the escalating costs of delivering value and good quality services.
You can view the NK Plan 2023-26 now at n-kesteven.gov.uk/nkplan
More information on the NK Plan and actions within it will be shared through North Kesteven District Council’s website at www.n-kesteven.gov.uk and social media channels @northkestevendc You can also sign up for news direct to your inbox at www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/stayconnected