Leader of Huntingdonshire District Council, Cllr Conboy, writes her monthly column for The Hunts Post.

I recently presented the State of the District address to full council which was an opportunity for me to look back on the last 12 months for us as a council as well as look to the future.

Last March, we launched a new Corporate Plan, steering our efforts towards three key priorities: enhancing the quality of life for local residents, creating a better Huntingdonshire for future generations, and excelling in our core responsibilities.

This plan shapes our actions as we collaborate with staff, residents, partners, communities, and businesses to lead Huntingdonshire with confidence into the future.

We are committed to enhancing the quality of life for people. Our Council Tax Support Scheme, implemented last year, provides up to 100 per cent relief for households with the lowest incomes. Additionally, we completed 703 affordable homes, including 494 for affordable and social rent, significantly reducing our housing waiting list and supporting asylum programmes.

Through the Homes for Ukraine scheme, our communities and housing teams ensured that no families were left homeless, with successful rematching and long-term housing solutions for many.

Our disabilities facilities grants have enabled 185 individuals to live safely at home, preventing the need for long-term care or hospital stays.

Our One Leisure Active Lifestyles and Sports Development programmes have seen impressive participation rates, offering targeted interventions for specific health conditions and the broader population.

Our Community Health Prevention Project, supported by a £250,000 grant from the Integrated Care System, has rolled out free physical activity courses to prevent cardiovascular disease and launched the ESCAPE Pain Pilot Scheme for chronic joint pain sufferers.

Employment opportunities are crucial for improving quality of life. The opening of the East Anglia Energy Academy in St Ives, a joint venture between Reed Environment and Oxford Energy Academies, promises to bring new jobs, skills, and investment to our district.

This academy, focusing on renewable energy, will support 150 apprentices and 400 adult learners by September 2025.

We are also creating a thriving local economy with initiatives like the Shop Front Grant Scheme and our Market Towns Programme which looks to rejuvenate our town centres. Meanwhile, our efforts to reduce carbon emissions, including trials with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel, showcase our commitment to sustainability.

Our financial stability is vital to all we have achieved over the last year. As more and more councils across the country face financial difficulty, I am proud that we are delivering on our promise of long-term financial sustainability. We have set a budget that is balanced, does not spend reserves, and, importantly, protects frontline services.

By building solid financial foundations, we can plan and enhance the council in accordance with the things that matter most to people. We can build a future based on outcomes and the protection of services for our most vulnerable people so individuals or families avoid falling into crisis.

2024 marks the 50th anniversary of Huntingdonshire District Council. This occasion seems like the right time to reflect on our journey, celebrate our achievements, and look forward to the future. Together, we will lay the foundations for a prosperous, greener, and fairer Huntingdonshire for all.