The climate emergency and delivering social housing are among St Albans District Council's main priorities over the next five years.

The concerns are listed in the local authority's Council Plan, which - along with a new budget - will go before Full Council on Wednesday, February 22.

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Priorities for the council also include supporting the local economy, enhancing the district's cultural offer, and promoting equality, inclusion and fairness.

The leader of St Albans City and District Council, Cllr Chris White, said: "We are continuing to put residents and their needs at the heart of our service development, and offer – and demand from our suppliers – good value for money.

"We are reshaping our services, both for the digital age, and to ensure we are able to respond to economic uncertainty and potential future challenges."

St Albans City and District Council recently announced a £2.3 million gap in their new budget.

Cllr White continued: "As we prepare our Council Plan, there is much financial uncertainty.

"We are making tough choices about our spending and how we operate to address the gap in our finances."

Herts Advertiser: The Council Plan and budget will go before Full Council on February 22.The Council Plan and budget will go before Full Council on February 22.

The council's chief executive, Amanda Foley, added: "The pandemic, severely challenging as it was for many people and organisations, including the council, was also an opportunity to rethink the way we live and work and to make changes for the future.

                                                                                                                                

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"We learned many lessons and have made major changes to the way we work.

"We have reshaped our operating model so that we are in a better position to adapt and respond to the financial pressures we face, shifting demand and expectations, and the pace of change...

"...With our partner councils, we are also playing a central role in the future growth of Hertfordshire and working hard to deliver on our climate change objectives.

"People expect quality, value for money, modern systems, and easy access to our services and that is what we are developing here in St Albans District."

Details of how these concerns will be tackled by St Albans City and District Council can be found on the local authority's Council Plan, available here.