A FRESH vision for York’s future has been launched by the city’s leaders.

Top bosses at City of York Council have outlined where they want the city to be for the next three years.

The authority’s corporate strategy for 2009 to 2012 identifies seven aims:

* To make York a thriving city

* To make it a sustainable city

* To make it a safer city

* To make it a learning city

* To make it an inclusive city

* To make it a city of culture

* To make it a healthy city.

Bill McCarthy, the council’s chief executive, said: “A corporate strategy is always an important document in a large and complex organisation.

“It’s the road map which gives us the directions and milestones to guide us in our work. And as the leading force for improvement in the city, making sure we are following the right path is crucial, not just for us but for the whole city.

“Our new corporate strategy demonstrates our commitment towards achieving the ambitions for the city and all its citizens in everything we do.”

The seven aims reflect those outlined in the city’s “sustainable community strategy”, published last summer by the Without Walls group, which worked with residents, businesses and public sector bodies to identify a vision for the next 20 years.

Sir Ron Cooke, chair of Without Walls, said: “York will only successfully implement its long-term strategy if the plans of all the participating organisations are effectively embedded within it.

“City of York Council, as the major player, is leading the way with its new corporate strategy for 2009 to 2012. It includes specific commitments, it is fully aligned with the overall strategy, and it represents an important step forward.”

The strategy says York should become a thriving city through the council supporting York’s economy, to make sure employment rates are high and that local people benefit from new job opportunities.

Specific commitments include the implementation a programme of support for local businesses and communities, improving the city’s sustainable transport infrastructure and raising the city’s profile to attract new inward investment and job opportunities.