Cotswold District Council has approved its key objectives over the next four years after its agreement was delayed and updated due to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Corporate Plan, which was originally outlined last year, has been developed during the pandemic under the streamline Building Back Better.

The six priorities outlined in the plan to 2024 are:

• Delivering services to the highest standards.
• Responding to the challenges presented by the climate crisis.
• Providing good quality social rented homes.
• Presenting a green local plan.
• Helping residents and communities access the support they need for good health and wellbeing.
• Supporting businesses to grow in a green, sustainable manner and to provide high-value jobs.

Council leader Councillor Joe Harris said: "We've already taken steps to demonstrate our commitment to the six principles in the plan, including making our meetings more accessible to more people, increasing public engagement with our use of social media, improving our council tax support scheme to help our most vulnerable residents, carrying out a comprehensive budget consultation and listening to your views.

"During the pandemic, we were quick to ensure our elderly and vulnerable residents were looked after.

"Our actions will make Cotswold District a better place in which to live, work and visit than ever before."

But Councillor Richard Morgan, leader of the opposition Conservative Group said the lack of allocated money for the aspirations would hamper delivery.

He said: "We have a budget strategy and a corporate strategy but the two strategies are completely independent of each other and not linked together in any meaningful way."