Sustainable Community Strategy 

Sustainable Community Strategies aim to improve the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of local areas and have a stronger focus on balancing the needs of the local economy together with environmental and social issues. 

The intention of the Community Strategy is to focus on the themes where there is a clear need to bring together different sections of the community. Public, private and voluntary sector organisations, community groups and local people work together to deliver improved services and quality of life in local areas. This shared commitment is necessary to work towards the long-term vision and to deal with the key challenges that face us.

Our Community Strategy comprises seven main themes:

• Reduced Crime - A safer and better community
• A Healthy Environment - A better place to live
• Improved Cultural Activities - A better life
• Improved Health - Getting better all the time 
• Greater Prosperity - A better place to work 
• Lifelong Learning - Better results, a better future
• Improved Access - Better access to all areas

The strategy provides a common vision among our partners for the local area:

"Our Sustainable Community Strategy has a vision of a diverse, healthy, fair and prosperous district, building on the strengths of our industrial past to become a vibrant, thriving community capable of meeting the challenges and the opportunities of the future."