As we head into the third year of our Vision, we are aware that we will continue to face new challenges alongside new opportunities. Our Vision for Elmbridge is about how we seize these opportunities for the benefit of our community and lead the way in how we shape the future of the local area.
Our Vision for the future has sustainability at its heart. Environmental sustainability is central to everything we do as we work towards our goal of carbon neutrality. As part of this, we must also encourage and enable our residents and businesses to achieve their sustainability goals for the benefit of our local area.
Our many thriving high streets are a defining characteristic of our borough and ensuring that local businesses and communities continue to grow and develop is of the utmost importance to achieving our Vision. We believe strongly in the power of community and what can be achieved by local people and businesses, our public sector partners and the voluntary and community sector all pulling together for the Elmbridge community.
However, while Elmbridge is a vibrant borough, we are keenly aware that not all share in its prosperity. There are people and families for whom the weekly food shop, monthly rent and their home heating bills are a constant worry. We will not leave behind the most vulnerable in our community.
We are also aware that this can be a challenging and uncertain time for local government. In order to meet the challenges, we have committed to projects which will transform and modernise our services. This will also help us to prepare for devolution and the reorganisation of local government so that we can fully utilise the opportunities this presents to improve the lives of those who live, work and visit the borough.
We believe it will need all our combined strength to achieve our Vision and shape the future. We look forward to working with you to do just that.
Mike Rollings, Leader of the Council
Simon Waugh, Deputy Leader of the Council