REPORT OF THE

CABINET/LEADER

PART I

THE COMMUNITY STRATEGY FOR HAMPSHIRE

1. Members will be aware that the Local Government Act 2000 placed a duty on all principal local authorities to prepare a community strategy for their area. In Hampshire this task has been undertaken by the Hampshire Strategic Partnership, under the chairmanship of Councillor D.A. Kirk, and is the product of an extensive consultation exercise with partner agencies, and the public. The Partnership has now approved the final version of the Strategy document which is entitled "Shaping Our Future Together - A Community Strategy for Hampshire 2004-2007".

2. In essence, the Strategy is a long term vision providing a framework and priorities for shorter term local actions and is a statement of a shared commitment to implement actions in support of economic, environmental and social objectives. It is supported by four cross cutting themes, namely strong and safe communities, health and well being, economic prosperity and lifelong learning, and environment, infrastructure and transport and is supplemented by a detailed Development Plan which outlines how the Strategy will actually be delivered.

3. Whilst both documents are owned by the Hampshire Strategic Partnership there are a number of actions within them which the County Council has to fulfil as a lead partner. Accordingly, the Cabinet has examined them in detail and now commends them to the County Council in accordance with the appended recommendation; copies of the documents have been forwarded to Members with their Council agenda papers.

Recommendation:

That the documents "Shaping Our Future Together - A Community Strategy for Hampshire 2004-2007" and the accompanying Development Plan 2004-07 be approved.