A BLUEPRINT setting out ambitions for Allerdale council to become “self-sufficient” by 2030 has been endorsed by members.

Council leader Marion Fitzgerald described the plans as the “key document” for the authority over the next decade, providing the framework for all its activities.

Speaking at a recent meeting, she also stressed that the council “faces significant challenges over the coming years” to hit its targets.

Among the priorities are the creation of a “financially secure council”, “outstanding local services”, “thriving towns and villages” and a “cleaner greener Allerdale”.

Mrs Fitzgerald said: “These are all about making sure that the council is on a sound financial footing; ensuring we deliver our high-quality services; making sure our neighbourhoods are clean and tidy as well as some wider environmental issues; supporting our towns as key service centres for all of our communities; taking action to ensure we have the right homes in the right places; supporting our communities to be healthy, active and engaged; and investing to support businesses so there are employment opportunities to keep in and attract people to Allerdale.”

A key part of the strategy’s success will involve working together with organisations in the pubic, private and voluntary sectors.

A delivery plan is now being worked up which will provide more detail of actions and performance measures so the council can measure how well it is doing.

Each department will also have its own service plan setting out is operational commitments, with a delivery plan now out for public consultation.

Alan Smith, the former council leader, raised concerns about what he described as “serious shortfalls in the council budget” over the next two or three years.

Responding to his comments, Mrs Fitzgerald told members she was “well aware of the challenges ahead”.

She said: “We are certainly intending to be far more commercial as a council, looking at alternative funding streams. It is a 10-year plan but that’s not to say it won’t be reviewed continuously so that adaptability is there – it’s just that we feel it is important from this point In time we look at where we want to be.

“We haven’t much control over what happens with central government but we have the flexibility. It is important that this council does everything within its power to generate alternative income streams. We know that the funding is diminishing continuously.”