Introduction
Our Corporate Strategy for 2025/2026 reflects our commitment to delivering excellent services and achieving more for South Ribble communities. In a changing local government sector, our priority is to continue to put people at the heart of everything we do and ensure that everyone feels satisfied with the service they receive from the council.
Our vision for South Ribble is ambitious – we want a vibrant, green and fair borough where everyone can benefit from opportunities, enjoy what’s on offer and have pride in place. We will deliver this through ongoing investment and regeneration of the borough, and by supporting all of our residents and communities to thriv
Our objectives this year are building a cooperative and thriving local economy by making the most of existing council assets, delivering our cultural strategy and through redevelopment of our towns and parishes.
We will also focus on housing, a crucial foundation for wellbeing and social equity. We aim to support access to affordable housing, ensure high housing standards and promote safe and cohesive communities.
We have strong relationships with voluntary and community sector partners, and they play an important role in supporting our residents. Through provision of community grants from the council they will help to deliver activities focused on improving the wellbeing and quality of life of those most in need.
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating green and clean neighbourhoods, we will progress our climate change strategy to enhance air quality and biodiversity, as well as implementing new national arrangements around food waste collections to improve recycling.
In addition to the key projects within the strategy we will ensure that important day to day services such as local planning, emptying bins, and keeping our streets clean are delivered to the highest standard. We look forward to another year of delivering exemplary council services for our communities.
Councillor Matthew Tomlinson
Leader of South Ribble Borough Council
Our vision
A listening, engaging and responsive Council that makes the best use of its resources to enable every person and community to thrive in a vibrant, green and fair borough.
An Exemplary Council
A council that:
- Delivers high performing services that represent value for money
- Understands the community and works with partners to make things better
- Is open and transparent in its activities
We will
- Develop and deliver year one of the Cultural Strategy - to set out the borough’s arts, heritage, and events offer to build a programme of cultural activity that helps bring communities together
- Deliver the Commercial Strategy - to continue our approach to optimising customer experiences and maximising revenue potential from council assets and activities
- Deliver the participatory democracy project - To create opportunities for citizens to be engaged and involved in decision making processes and in shaping public policies, programmes, and initiatives
- Support transitional arrangements for Local Government Reorganisation - by establishing effective partnership working with other councils to support the development of transitional plans and arrangements for Local Government Reorganisation and ensure organisational readiness
Measuring success
- 80% of customers satisfied with the service they receive from the council
- 60% of service requests received online
- 11% of people will feel involved in the local area and decision making
Healthy and Happy Communities
Places where:
- Residents have positive mental health
- People get involved and have a sense of belonging
- Communities can access services and support when they need them
We will
- Deliver a community grants programme to support residents - by providing grants to local community and voluntary organisations to strengthen community resilience and support the health, wellbeing and inclusion of those who are most in need
- Deliver the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy - to support access to affordable housing and the prevention of homelessness and rough sleeping in the borough
- Deliver youth provision in the borough - to provide activities for young people to develop new skills, be part of their community, and promote positive wellbeing
- Deliver the minor aids and adaptations programme through the Better Care Fund - to ensure that homes are safe and accessible and that residents can maintain independence in their own homes
- Deliver the Anti-Social Behaviour action plan - to ensure that South Ribble continues to be a safe place to live, work and visit
Measuring success
- 3000 wellbeing sessions will be delivered by the council
- 8000 residents will participate in activities delivered by the council
- 60% average improvement in wellbeing score following support from the council
- 60% of households presenting to the council are prevented from becoming homeless or have their homelessness received
- The number of benefit claimants as a proportion of the resident population aged 16-64 is better than the North West average
- 75,000 visits to council leisure centres
Opportunities for Everyone
Communities that:
- Can access training and jobs
- Are supported to grow sustainable businesses
- See investment in improving the borough
We will
- Deliver the next phase of the Leyland Town Deal - by continuing the planned improvement works to Leyland Town Centre, Markets and the Northworks business hub to kickstart regeneration in South Ribble centre and deliver vibrant multi-use spaces
- Develop and deliver the Parks, Play and Open Space Strategy - to deliver investment in parks and play areas across the borough
- Deliver the Penwortham Masterplan - by commencing work to improve the areas of Middleforth, Kingsfold and Liverpool Road district centre
- Deliver a programme of support to enable the start-up and growth of cooperative businesses in the borough - to facilitate the growth in the number of cooperative businesses and build a more inclusive economy
Measuring success
- The overall employment rate in South Ribble will be greater than the North West average
- Median earning for residents of South Ribble will be better than the North West average
- Median workplace earnings in the borough will be better than the North West average
- 450 business engagements/ support measures provided by the council
- 15% average of Social and Local Economic Value added from council contracts
- m2 of employment floor space created
- 4 improvements to parks and open spaces
Green and Clean Neighbourhoods
A borough with:
- A choice of decent, affordable housing
- Commitment to protecting the local environment
- A choice of quality recreational activities
- Less waste, more reuse and recycling
We will
- Maximise the availability of affordable housing in the borough - by increasing the number and types of affordable housing that are available in the borough through the planning system and direct delivery
- Develop and deliver a Housing Strategy - to increase the quantity and quality of housing in the borough
- Deliver the Climate Change Strategy - to support the borough to be greener, reduce carbon emissions and protect our environment
- Introduce weekly food waste collections - to implement 2026 government reforms which aim to improve recycling and reduce the impact of food waste on climate change
Measuring success
- 70 affordable homes will be delivered
- % of households living in fuel poverty will be better than the North West average
- 85 biodiversity and climate change initiatives delivered
- 43% of household waste sent for reuse, recycling or composting