COUNCIL bosses have set out plans to help the district ‘bounce back’ after unveiling a number of key targets.

Braintree Council’s cabinet met on Monday where they approved a long-term plan for the Braintree district which looks ahead to 2023.

The council say focusing in ensuring good quality affordable homes, providing more community grants and helping to improve town centres are some of their key focuses.

Known as ‘Bouncing back together - Our Plan for the District’, it sets out the ambitions of the council over the next 18 months.

It centres around the key themes of connecting people and places, enhancing our environment, supporting communities, promoting prosperity and delivering and innovation.

The council say, to boost the recovery and regeneration of town centres, many projects such as the completion of the Victoria Square development, the pedestrianisation scheme in Braintree, and more street market events are key, as is delivering physical improvements to Witham and Halstead town centres which are planned for next year.

The delivery of more affordable housing is also a further priority, as well as supporting the availability of good quality homes.

Braintree Council says it has also committed £500,000 towards tackling climate change to become a carbon neutral district as far as practical by 2030.

The council has undertaken a number of changes to improve its impact on the environment and will continue to work alongside residents, community groups and businesses.

The council has also said investing and making improvements to parks and open spaces will continue, as well as work to keep outside areas free of litter and involve communities in schemes such as community tree and bulb planting which was announced last month.

They added a priority is supporting the growth of employment sectors, developing culture and heritage and providing business support – just like the development of new Horizon 120 Business and Innovation Park which they claim will create up to 2,000 jobs.

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raham Butland, Leader of Braintree District Council, said: “The past 18 months have been particularly difficult for everyone and we now need to ensure that we prioritise helping our businesses and residents by giving them as much support as we can as we carefully transition into a time of recovery.

“Our aim is to focus on the things that matter over the next few years to help us bounce back stronger and that is what this plan is all about.”

The plan can be read online at braintree.gov.uk/bouncingbacktogether.