| Date -10 Dec 2007 | Return to previous page |
Moray Council’s ruling coalition today unveiled a list of priorities which will dominate the council agenda for the next three to four years.
The Independent-Conservative administration has drawn up eight key priorities which it will seek to deliver during the course of its lifetime.
The priorities are:
*Flood alleviation
*Educational attainment
*Care of older people
*Community safety
*Affordable housing
*Rural development
*Elgin traffic management
*Economic development and tourism
The administration has pledged to construct flood alleviation schemes for Elgin, Forres and Rothes, all of which have suffered severe flooding in recent years, and to urge the Scottish Government to simplify procedures for delivering flood schemes.
It will also develop services to cater for the needs of Moray’s increasing number of older people and provide support for school staff in raising attainment, particularly in under-achieving schools.
With community safety among its priorities, the council will work with other agencies in cutting the number of serious road accidents by focusing on young drivers, drink-drivers and motorists who speed.
A traffic management strategy for Elgin will also be implemented with a view to easing congestion, while efforts will also be made to maximise the level of affordable housing throughout Moray to help meet rising demand.
The administration has also undertaken to work with partner agencies to promote economic development in Moray and to support tourism through the council’s tourism steering group.
Rural development has been highlighted as one of the council’s priorities and one of the council’s key aims will be to develop services and employment opportunities in rural areas of Moray.
Moray Council convener George McIntyre said: “It is an ambitious programme and one which will ensure that the most vulnerable in our community are protected and cared for. We will also ensure that the infrastructure is in place to support a vibrant economy in Moray.
“Funding for our programme will be included in both the budget which will be presented to council in February 2008 and in the four-year budget which will be considered later in the year.”
Councillor McIntyre added: “This is the first time that an administration in Moray has published its priorities in this way.
“By publishing these, the public will know exactly what we see as important for the development of the area and the council can be judged on its delivery.”
Copies of the council’s priorities for 2008 to 2011 are available from council offices and will also be circulated to households in Moray along with council tax notices in the spring.