FENLAND COUNCIL LEADER GEOFF HARPER S SPEECH TO FENLAND DISTRICT COUNCIL TONIGHT, PRESENTING THE AUTHORITY S CORPORATE PLAN. WE launched Fenland into 21st Century with a clear vision to make the district a better place to live, work and play Events conspi

FENLAND COUNCIL LEADER GEOFF HARPER'S SPEECH TO FENLAND DISTRICT COUNCIL TONIGHT, PRESENTING THE AUTHORITY'S CORPORATE PLAN.

WE launched Fenland into 21st Century with a clear vision to make the district a better place to live, work and play

Events conspire to hamper our considerable enthusiasm and success in achieving our vision

While 2009/2010 will be difficult for us all, we continue to demonstrate that we are in good shape to ride out this economic storm.

Against the backdrop of recession, we continue to focus on improving life for everyone in Fenland.

Within our remit as a district council, we have achieved a great deal and delivered great value for money, there are key issues that manifest themselves in areas beyond the control of this council namely - Health - Education - Social Services - Transport.

However we cannot stand by and let others have the sole input into seeking solutions to improving our local environment.

We must, together with our partners, enable these issues to be addressed. We intend to drive, energise and focus all our partners on addressing those issues of most concern to our residents.

We have spent the past few years making Fenland an Excellent Council. That is now behind us.

We will maintain that excellence but in addition work to play our part in improving those issues of Health - Education - Social Services - Transport.

To this end we are making it possible for High Tech businesses to locate in the District. The South Fens Business Centre in Chatteris and now the Boat House Business & Conference Centre in Wisbech are two initiatives designed to help raise the aspirations of the people of Fenland.

We are in negotiation with the College of West Anglia to ensure their curriculum at the new college in March reflects the needs of the coming generation.

Proposals on the western side of Whittlesey could dramatically impact on the town and its approaches. We must ensure our voice is clear and robust to ensure the town benefits from any development.

We are embarking on extensive planning and consultation of master planning of our four market towns - a long term initiative to improve our town centres.

We keep our presence alive with the Primary Care Trust to carry our message of the need for improvements of health provision in Fenland.

All 11 county councillors representing Fenland Divisions play their part in ensuring Fenland gets its fair share of county services.

All this means devising a system of partnership engagement without instituting an obsessive bureaucracy.

The Corporate Plan seeks to do just that!