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15 Jun 2022

Cabinet welcome achievements highlighted in Council’s Corporate Plan

Knowsley’s Cabinet has welcomed the success of the borough’s Corporate Plan (2017-2022) and set out the Council’s ongoing work to support local communities from the impacts of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis.

Millions of pounds have been made available to support the most vulnerable residents of all ages and local businesses – as the Council drives the borough’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cabinet were provided with an update on the progress on the Corporate Plan following their last update in November 2021.

The Council’s Corporate Plan priorities included those associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and its ongoing impact on local communities.

Despite those significant challenges the Council has also continued to deliver successfully against its priorities in key areas, including those related to education, adult and children’s social care, health and wellbeing, business growth, jobs, housing, and environmental sustainability.

Since the last Corporate Plan update in November 2021 the Council has achieved the following:

  • Increasing the Knowsley Better Together Hardship Fund to £3m to support those residents hit hardest by the pandemic and the cost of living crisis
  • Enhanced year long programme of events for Knowsley’s year as Borough of Culture supported by the £8.3m “Knowsley Better Together Recovery Fund”
  • Regeneration of Kirkby Town Centre and Huyton Village Centre has continued, with new businesses opening and the appointment of a Development Management Partner for Huyton now confirmed
  • Work has commenced on a major employment site on the former Cronton Colliery as part of the Halsnead Garden Village development, while the first homes have been completed as part of the Bloor development
  • Shakespeare North Playhouse is now complete and due to open in July
  • 44 out of 50 (88%) of primary schools in Knowsley are now rated by Ofsted as either “Good” or “Outstanding”
  • 62 residents have secured employment through the Council’s Restart Programme.

In March 2022, the Council unanimously agreed its new Knowsley Council Plan 2022-25 which focuses on three key priorities:

  • Providing effective support for those in need – particularly the most vulnerable in local communities;
  • A continuing focus on inclusive growth – including improving education and skills levels in the Borough to ensure local people can share in the opportunities from local economic growth; and,
  • Looking further ahead – ensuring that the Council continues to play a leading role in addressing the climate emergency.

Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council, said:

“This is a Council which works hard to make a difference to local peoples’ lives.  Our achievements alongside local communities are proof of this Council’s commitment to the people of Knowsley.  We provide high quality key services, we focus on helping the people who most need our help, and we stand alongside Knowsley’s communities – no matter what challenges we may be facing together.

“We must now focus on the goals set out in the new Corporate Plan.  Which will help us make sure that Knowsley remains a place where people want to live, work and visit.  And make sure that we reduce local inequalities so that everyone can share in the Borough’s success.”

Cllr Jayne Aston, Cabinet Member for Resources, said:

“I am particularly proud of the work we have done (and will continue to do) supporting Knowsley residents who have been hit hardest by the impacts of the pandemic – and the cost of living crisis which we’re all facing.

“Since this Corporate Plan was first agreed in 2017, over 4,000 new jobs have been created in the Borough – with more than 3,300 unemployed Knowsley residents supported back into work.  And the recent launch of the latest round of the Knowsley Apprentice programme – alongside the Council’s own Graduate and Apprenticeship development scheme – will help us to create local opportunities for peoples’ future careers.”