PROVIDING homes for local people and reducing greenhouse gas emissions are among the priorities being set by Malvern Hills District Council this year.

The council has drafted its annual council plan for 2007 - to be discussed by full council on Tuesday - in which it provides a summary of its achievements over the previous year and outlines planned actions for the future.

It also contains feedback from the public about what people think of the council's services to date. The draft document says the council conducted a survey of residents across the district at the end of last year.

Of the 1,000 people who responded, 59 per cent felt the council was efficient and well run - however, 54 per cent of those questioned felt it did not provide good value for money.

The district council's priorities for improvements in 2007 include increasing opportunities for local people to access affordable housing of an appropriate type and of a high standard.

It wants to use council-owned land to encourage affordable development and promote the use of unfit properties and those vacant for more than six months.

Another priority is to reduce the council and community impact on the environment by reducing energy consumption and waste across all council activities, encouraging more re-use and recycling of goods and supporting local projects addressing climate change.

The district council intends to improve the quality, safety and availability of open spaces for everyone to enjoy. It also wants to make it easier for children and young people to access and become involved in activities that help their development and to support the growth of the rural economy.

PLANS FOR IMPROVEMENT* Local homes for local people - build more affordable housing, renovate and refurbish unfit or vacant properties using grants and other incentives.

* Reduce greenhouse gas emissions - ensure working environments are energy efficient, switch to renewable energy sources, increase recycling, and reduce working practice carbon emissions through green travel and home working.

* Improve access to quality spaces - work with voluntary organisations to clean, renovate and regenerate areas, and tackle hotspots of litter, graffiti and anti-social behaviour.

* Support children and young people - raise educational achievement, increase participation of young people aged 16 and above in education, employment and training, prevent youth crime and anti-social behaviour, and protect children from harm, neglect and violence.

* Rural regeneration - establish grants, support and offer advice to rural businesses, bring redundant buildings back into commercial use and offer job opportunities.