Ashby de la Zouch Town Council has reaffirmed its commitments to the people of Ashby and Blackfordby by agreeing a new Forward Plan.

The council says its vision continues to be to ensure local services reach the highest possible standards; to provide a focus for civic pride; to listen, identify and respond to local needs and to help develop a strong, secure, self-confident community, free from unlawful discrimination.

At the Full Council meeting on Monday evening, five Strategic Aims and 20 Delivery Objectives were unanimously agreed.

Cllr Chris Smith, Leader of the Town Council, highlighted five objectives where progress has already been made.

He said: "Our carbon audit has identified 38.5 tCO2e annual emissions generated by the Town Council, mostly from heating and electricity.

"LED lighting has already been installed in Legion House. We are now looking to change to green energy suppliers and installing solar panels to move towards our objective of net-zero."

He went on to say: "We want to help boost our community. That's why we have setup a Community Fund, with additional resources, to be directed towards reducing social isolation and improving health and wellbeing."

In the Improving Connectivity section, Cllr Smith referred to continuing discussions taking place with Network Rail to help them find the best site for a station in Ashby.

Ashby Town Council leader, Cllr Chris Smith. Photo: Supplied

He added: "We have established a good relationship with Network Rail, and I am hopefully that this will provide dividends for the future."

Cllr Smith reported that good progress is being made with the revised Neighbourhood Plan. He said community involvement has greatly helped the work and the new plan will be consulted on later this year - hopefully being completed by the end of the year.

He also highlighted that the Town Council is looking at the feasibility of upgrading three play areas across the Town.

Cllr Smith said progress will be dependent on the resources being available and being consistent with the Town Council's objective of strengthening its finances.

The full Forward Plan for 2024/25 is on the Town Council website as well as being publicised on Facebook - councillors say they would welcome any feedback residents have.