Council Leader Kevin Guy’s latest column for The Journal: February is a busy month as we unveil some important new plans for the future of our area and also discuss the budget and Council Tax proposals which we are presenting to Council on the 20th.

On 1st February we held a special cabinet meeting to discuss our new Economic Strategy and also the next stages for our Local Plan, which, when adopted, will form the basis for determining planning applications until 2042.

In many ways, Bath and North East Somerset is a real success story. As well as a World Heritage City, we have thriving market towns and villages and access to wonderful nature, as we can see in projects such as Somer Valley Rediscovered and the Chew Valley Reconnected Partnership.

However, we know we need to generate more higher-wage jobs and tackle inequalities across our area. We also need more housing - particularly affordable housing - and, as I have set out before in this column, we need better and more sustainable transport links, particularly in our rural areas.

The new Economic Strategy sets out a new approach which prioritises meeting the needs of residents and businesses whilst reducing impacts on our natural resources and environment.

A key component of the Economic Strategy is the Somer Valley Enterprise Zone, which will create an exemplar sustainable business park for new business and employment and support a greener economy. This is a transformational project for the Somer Valley economy, helping to provide up to 1,300 quality, local jobs, reducing the need to commute, whilst ensuring environmental impacts are managed through provision of public transport, active travel routes and strong biodiversity measures.

Sitting alongside the new Economic Strategy, the Local Plan will set out options for future development in our area including new housing and - crucially - supporting infrastructure. The next stage will be a consultation and it is important that we hear what people say about the options being put forward.

I said at the start of this article that February is budget month with proposals presented to our cabinet meeting on 8th February. It’s been a very challenging budget process this year but unlike some other Councils we are able to present a balanced budget. Our focus has been on doing our very best to protect front-line services.

Although there are some difficult decisions to be made we are also proposing in the budget to invest in our key priorities. We re also investing significantly in our Council House Building programme, with funds allocated for 300 houses.

You can watch all of these meetings on the Council’s YouTube channel.