Sustainable Community Strategy

EKLSP Sustainable Community Strategy: Lighting the Way to Success

The East Kent Local Strategic Partnership (EKLSP) was established in April 2008.  Within its remit the EKLSP has the responsibility to develop a Sustainable Community Strategy for the area, covering the Districts of Canterbury, Dover, Shepway and Thanet.

Following public consultation, the East Kent Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS) is now available on the East Kent LSP website. This has been revised in light of the consultation responses received - thank you for taking the time to respond.  Please click here to view this document.  You can also view the Experian report which was used to inform the development of the SCS.  The partnership is now developing the action plans to support the delivery of the SCS and these will be published towards the end of the year. If you would like to be involved in helping to develop these action plans, please contact the East Kent Local Strategic Partnership (contact details below).

The East Kent LSP is keen to know what your interests are and what you would like to know more about with regards to the SCS. For example, would you like to learn more about health inequalities or more about a particular district?  The partnership is currently thinking of putting together a series of single-topic events and welcome your thoughts on what these should be.  Any comments should link to the Sustainable Community Strategy and the action plan themes.

Six themes have been identified in the East Kent Sustainable Community Strategy. These are:

1. Education

Educational excellence that supports ambition, achievement and skills, for the workplace and beyond. (good schools, colleges and universities)

2. Economic

Economic enterprise that is confident, resilient and with the support of local higher and further education institutions, innovative enough to seize opportunities presented by new markets and emerging technology.

3. Communities

Fairer, stronger and healthier communities in resurgent coastal towns, enjoying high quality homes and an enviable quality of life

4. Transport

A high quality, integrated transport network, with reduced congestion and pollution, offering a wide choice of accessible transport for all sections of the community.

5. Visitor destination

A distinctive profile as a visitor destination, with a wealth of cultural treasures, sustaining a thriving tourist economy.

6. Environment

The priceless asset of its unique natural environment and a commitment to protect it for future generations.

For further information please contact.

Marie Hamm, Partnership Support Officer - Tel: 01227 862358, E-mail: marie@eastkentlsp.org.uk

What is a Sustainable Community Strategy?

A  Sustainable Community Strategy is, as the name implies, a plan for the community. The strategy focuses on the needs and issues facing the communities with East Kent and identifies the vision and priorities to improve economic, social and environmental well-being of the area and improve the quality of life for everyone.

The big issues for the District cannot be solved by any one agency; therefore partnership working is the most important element of the Strategy. This will enable us to move forward and provide a means of tackling issues together.

Community strategies can?

• Be powerful for engaging local communities to discuss their needs and ideas
• Provide direction for joining the work of local partners
• Provide the potential to secure greater efficiency and effectiveness in the use of public, private and voluntary resources
• Provide an opportunity to share and learn from everyone's experiences

In short, sustainable community strategies are a practical tool for 'joining things' locally.

Government guidance on sustainable community strategies states

"The purpose of a sustainable community strategy is to set the overall strategic direction and long-term vision for the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of a local area - typically 10-20 years - in a way that contributes to sustainable development in the UK.  It tells the 'story of place' - the distinctive vision and ambition of the area, backed by clear evidence and analysis."

The East Kent Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS) is therefore a fundamentally important document setting out a clear, long-term vision for the future of East Kent over the next twenty years, outlining the steps needed to be taken in order to make the vision a reality.

Contact

E-mail: policy@shepway.gov.uk