Next Monday, 3rd July, Beverly Agass, the new chief executive of South Cambridgeshire District Council, starts her new job.
To help her, councillors and officers, SCDC has devised an on-line 'conversation' for everyone in South Cambs to tell the Council what's important to local communities and what makes the place they live special. This will help the Council to draw up a business plan for next year.
Cllr Peter Topping, Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “We’ve changed the way we look at our business plan by asking our communities to give their views now.
"In the past we have put a lot of thought into creating a draft plan before shaping it later when we consulted on it. Engaging with our communities now is an opportunity for them to think about what they want our district to look like in five to 10 years’ time and what should go in our plans to achieve this.”
Between 2011 and 2031, 19,500 homes are planned to be built in South Cambridgeshire but council bosses have reiterated housing affordability remains one of the greatest challenges in the area.
Transport and connectivity have also consistently been a top priority for residents and businesses over recent years which councillors have said must go hand-in-hand with new homes to support future generations growing up in the area.
Cllr Topping added: “One of the other challenges we are facing is we will shortly lose the last of our central government funding, so we need to think and act differently as a council to make sure we can still deliver the services and support our communities' needs – whether this is directly or in partnership. The question for our communities now is what you think the issues are and how we can address them."
Beverly Agass
Mrs Agass is a linguistics graduate with experience in the public and private sector. Until recently she was chief executive at South Kesteven District Council in Lincolnshire where she initiated key programmes to ensure the Council makes the most of opportunities to be inventive, flexible and responsive to local needs.
She also has significant experience of working with councillors and communities developing ambitious growth programmes – enabling new homes and creating new business opportunities by proactively and positively planning for future growth and regeneration.
Beverly Agass said: "I am delighted to be taking up my new role as chief executive with South Cambridgeshire. It is a very exciting time and I am genuinely looking forward to working on the challenges and opportunities ahead.
"I want to get to work with members, partners and staff to deliver the very best possible outcomes for residents and business. I am also eager to listen to our local communities and to hear first hand what is important to them."
Cllr Peter Topping said: “Beverly can be assured of a warm welcome when she starts at South Cambridgeshire. Her broad range of experience in the public and private sectors will be invaluable in helping us drive forward our growth agenda while at the same time retaining South Cambridgeshire’s position as one of the most desirable and affluent places in the country to live.
"Considerable challenges lie ahead – not least the time when the authority must become self-sufficient without the benefit of government grants: I am confident Beverly will rise to those challenges and continue the delivery of high quality services for the residents of South Cambridgeshire.
"The Let's Talk Conversation Page will help her to understand just what residents want her to do."
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