Vision for the future - Launch of St Albans City & District Community Strategy 2003-2007
Community health, roads and transport, anti-social behaviour - some of the complex issues that will benefit from a co-ordinated approach offered by the Local Strategic Partnership.
Setting out the partnership's common vision and shared priorities
is the district's first Community Strategy: A Vision for St Albans
and District, which is published today.
Established in 2002, the Local Strategic Partnership Board brought together the police, local authorities; housing associations, the business community and others* to work towards a comprehensive action plan for the future that will improve quality of life in the district.
Chair of the St Albans and District Local Strategic Partnership, Cllr
Brian Peyton: "What makes this community strategy special is that
it's not something which has been handed down from on high. It's an
attempt by representatives of the whole community to come together
to imagine what St Albans City and District might be like in the future
and how we might make it an even better place for us all to live, learn
and work than it is today."
Some of the key priorities are:
- environment and business - safeguarding natural resources while encouraging economic prosperity and better transport;
- a safer district - where crime and anti-social behaviour are reduced;
- cleaner and greener - less pollution, less waste and more attractive public spaces;
- healthier living - good housing; better lifestyles with vulnerable members of the community offered support;
- accessible learning, leisure and the arts - offering cultural and sporting opportunities that are inclusive.
Residents had a key role in testing and shaping the priorities. An
ambitious public consultation campaign took place in the summer of
2003, which involved hundreds of residents and stakeholders. Members
of the Community Panel, made up of district residents, joined a workshop
to discuss the various themes and priorities for action. Their feedback
was incorporated into the final strategy.
Says the Chair of the Primary Care Trust, John Bennett: "An effective
way to tackle health issues is through preventive education work with
the whole of the community. Through the LSP we can work with education
and leisure to tackle key concerns, such as obesity, in a more effective
way than by working alone."
Five themed working groups made up of member organisations are tasked
to produce detailed action plans that will be monitored and tracked
to ensure progress is being made.
For more information contact Jane Ratford, public relations 01727 819317; j.ratford@stalbans.gov.uk
Editor's Notes
Local Strategic Partnerships are a government backed initiative and
are now established throughout the country.
* Membership of the St Albans City and District LSP Board:
Association of local councils
Churches Together
Community Forum
Council for Voluntary Service for St Albans District
Environment Forum
Groundwork Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire Constabulary
Hertfordshire County Council
Hightown Praetorian & Churches Housing Association
Oaklands College
Primary Care Trust
St Albans & District Access Group
St Albans City & District Council
St Albans City Centre Management
St Albans District Council of Commerce
University of Hertfordshire