"Together we can shape our district" Launch of Sustainable Community Strategy at Annual Community Conference
24 September 2007
A new era of volunteering and community participation will be key in helping St Albans District meet the challenges of the future, a former No 10 Downing Street strategy chief told a community conference.
Chief executive of the RSA,* Matthew Taylor, outlined the challenges facing individuals and organisations pledged to building a better community at the launch of the new Sustainable Community Strategy, attended by over 100 delegates from a wide range of public and voluntary organisations in the district and members of the Local Strategic Partnership, LSP.
Tackling climate change, equipping young people for the future, meeting the needs of an ageing population and rising public service expectations, could only be achieved in partnership with a committed and active community of citizens and consumers.
"St Albans should aspire to become a place that gives back to the community and creates a positive footprint through volunteering and participation," he said.
At the first St Albans District LSP annual community conference, held in Rothamsted Conference Centre, delegates agreed the action plan for Shaping Our District Together 2021, which focuses on areas where there are gaps in current services and facilities and where the LSP can make a difference including:
- providing facilities and activities for young people
- supporting the voluntary and community sector
- encouraging and promoting community participation and volunteering
- reducing our impact on the environment
- reducing inequalities.
"We are all challenged as individuals and organisations to get involved and help make our community a better place," Cllr Robert Donald, chair of the LSP, told the conference. "If the gap areas the LSP has identified in our district community strategy are to be filled then we have all got to contribute to making the difference. The LSP can not do it all on its own. It needs all of us to get involved and participate in turning this strategy into reality."
Examples of the partnership's current work were brought vividly to life with the help of a video produced by film students from Oaklands College. Shake It productions showcased a children's project in Sopwell Ward, the district wide Fairtrade initiative; an Asian women's group offering English classes and green travel services and Tai Chi and Chiropody services for older people. Workers involved on the ground explained how the projects were making a difference for the better and meeting very real needs.
The challenge of climate change was emphasised by Stephen Joseph, Executive Director of Transport in 2000, when he discussed the ways in which sustainable travel could be encouraged within the district including, share car clubs and real time bus information.
For more information on the event please contact: Jane Ratford, consultation and marketing officer on tel: 01727 819572 or email: j.ratford@stalbans.gov.uk
Or Claire Andrews, corporate policy officer on tel: 01727 819571 or email: c.andrews@stalbans.gov.uk
Editor's Notes
The RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce) works to remove the barriers to social progress. Matthew Taylor's full speech can be found at mtblog.typepad.com
The new community strategy and background information on the LSP can be found at: http://www.stalbanslsp.org.uk/
 Cllr Robert Donald addresses the conference |
 Over to you - conference delegate poses a point |
 Matthew Taylor challenges the conference |
 LSP documentary film makers meet the conference |
Click here for Matthew Taylor's essay on Pro-Social Behaviour
Click here for Stephen Joseph's powerpoint presentation