Council chief executive Steven Broomhead looks to the future in his final column of 2019

THE highly charged and emotive General Election is now over and we have a refreshed new government and two new local MP’s, Andy Carter and Charlotte Nichols.

So here are my hopes for 2020 as Boris’s government gets down to serious new business:

  •  Getting Brexit done – but done in a way that doesn’t damage our local economy which continues to perform strongly. Concluding a comprehensive trade agreement with the EU will not be easy within tight timescales.
  •  Sorting out the responsibility and policies for social care funding. Little progress has been made on its reform and resolving the amounts that people would contribute to the cost of their care will need the Wisdom of Solomon. Locally the increasing demands caused by an ageing population for adult social care coupled with demands for additional child care support are producing significant pressure on local public service budgets and something will have to give before the year is out.
  •  The increases in education spending on Schools are to be welcomed but they are modest. The increase in funding for further education is to be welcomed but there is still a significant mis-match between universities and our local colleges which are still the poor relations.
  •  Now is the time to make the Northern Powerhouse a reality and to deliver transformative shift in public infrastructure investment outside of London and the Home Counties. Perhaps in the short term there should be a reversal investment spending from an average of £309 per head per year in the north compared to £739 in London/South East? I would hope to see progress on the Northern Powerhouse Rail – a new high speed rail network connecting our town to Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds, an early decision on the future of HS2 and hopefully one that actually benefits the town and a quick decision on the Western Link which is really needed to relieve traffic congestion. In addition, perhaps we will see the renewal of the devolution proposals to shift powers from Westminster to our area. Will it be with or without an elected Mayor?
  •  The build environment will continue to present challenges. There remains the issue of keeping the ambition of building many new homes while at the same time recognising that not all of the ambition can be achieved without the loss of some green space. It will not be possible to meet the housing growth ambitions by simply using brownfield sites which developers do not find attractive due to their remediation costs. Somehow or other the circle must be squared. At the same time I hope the government can amend the planning rules so that community infrastructure can be provided before people move into their houses.
  •  Finally, to support the continuation of our great NHS, 'free at the point of demand' secure. Good progress is being made to scope a design for a new local hospital and I would hope this is accelerated and supported by both our MPs.

Additional money for the NHS is always to be welcomed, but it’s not just about the money. What is also needed is more effective, accountable leadership, a focus on efficiency and better patient journeys and outcomes.

So it’s time for new hope and new policies. Many thanks for your comments on this column this year, including those who take issue with my thoughts – this is a town that respects and values divergent opinions.

Have a great Christmas and New Year.