A better city life: Schools, safety, streetscapes
Well-resourced schools delivering high educational standards, a new school in
Chelsea, more residential and day care facilities for older people, safer
streets, and major improvements to South Kensington and Sloane Square all remain
at the heart of the Council's vision for 'a better city life'. But how could the
financial outlook affect these priorities? Here we highlight the prospects for
some of these key Council aims next year.
Important plans remain in place for 2004/5. At Holland Park School the
Council plans to finance a much-needed rebuild by selling some of the school's
land. Meanwhile plans for a new school in Chelsea are still high on the agenda,
with securing a suitable site the priority over the next year.
The Council also aims to bring the costs of freestanding nursery schools far
closer to the per pupil cost of nursery education in primary schools which is
currently £3,700.
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Bright prospects lie ahead for care for older people. With the completion of
the new Ellesmere residential and day care facility for older people, the
borough will see an extra 24 residential and 46 nursing places.
Increasing fees from private or voluntary community care providers however
will put added pressure on the community care budget. The focus over the year is
to ensure these fees do not rise unreasonably.
Tackling the blight of crime and anti-social behaviour continues to be a
priority for the Council. It has already increased the uniformed presence on the
street with a £350,000 annual investment in 12 Police Community Support
Officers (PCSOs) and will ask local people whether to expand the scheme in 2004.
Complementing the PCSOs is the Council's focus on reducing crime involving
young people, through the use of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) and
schemes to divert young people away from crime.
Additionally, use of the Crack House Protocol to close down crack houses
within six weeks will spearhead efforts to reduce drug crime in the borough.
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The impressive refurbishment of High Street Kensington looks set to be repeated
elsewhere in the borough. The Council wants to see distinctive improvements in
South Kensington and Sloane Square. The next year will see further exploration
of these schemes.
More details of the Council's plans can be found on the website at www.rbkc.gov.uk/businessplan
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