A PLAN that sets out actions for Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council over the next four years has been backed despite councillors saying it brings "no new ideas".

The new cabinet, formed by members from the Independent Forum and the Liberal Democrat Group which took over running the council in May, agreed on an updated Council Plan 2023 to 2027 at a borough council’s cabinet meeting on Tuesday, October 10.

During a full council meeting of the borough council on Thursday, October 19, councillors criticised the plan and said it contained "no new ideas".

Key updated actions in the plan include providing more affordable homes, especifically social rented homes.

READ MORE: Cabinet agrees refocused action plan for the borough council

The cabinet also wants to move forward with an updated local plan that reduces the number of new houses built in its early years to allow infrastructure to catch up. 

Regeneration and renewal is a theme in the plan, with a renewed focus on the regeneration of Buckskin, South Ham and Winklebury; a commitment to a new aquadrome and the wider revitalisation of the leisure park and the emphasis on the Top of the Town to start delivering plans for the future of Basingstoke town centre.

Leader of the council Cllr Paul Harvey said the plan "looks to directly address the priorities people, partners and businesses have clearly shared" with this council over many years.

Former leader of the council Cllr Simon Minas-Bound said: "It’s the same plan we had in front of us in February this year with a minor update."

Meanwhile, Cllr Hannah Golding said although the plan looks promising when compared to the previous plan this one has been "tweaked a bit but there really aren't any new ideas". 

Cllr  Jenney Vaux echoed the same opinion and said "this is the same plan" that we have seen before.

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Cllr Laura James took a different opinion, she added: "Investment in frontline service is a key priority and that has changed from the last administration. We have listened to residents and want a gold standard service."

In response, Cllr Harvey told councillors that it is an "amendment plan that evolves from the previous one".

Despite concerns, it was approved unanimously.