Archived decisions

Stronger Together

A Community Strategy

for Havant Borough

2005 - 2008

Introduction by the Chairman of the Havant Community Partnership.

To be inserted.

A list of abbreviations used can be found on page ** and an explanation of "technical" terms used which are referred to in the main text marked *, eg Business Improvement District*, can be found in the Glossary of Terms on page **.

Community Strategy 2005 - 2008

This Community Strategy has been produced by Havant's Local Strategic Partnership, Havant Community Partnership (HCP). Its membership includes a wide range of key local public organisations such as the Police, the Council and the Health Service, together with the business community and the voluntary and community sector. These organisations have agreed to work together to improve the quality of life in our borough and promote a strong, sustainable community. Senior representatives of these organisations have formed the HCP Board, a strategic body which meets quarterly to consider and endorse proposed quality of life improvements.

Sustainable Communities

Sustainable communities are those whose citizens are proud of the place where they live and work and have a shared sense of identity, taking active responsibility for their environment. They are communities with flourishing economies, an attractive environment, good transport connections, low rates of crime and anti-social behaviour and few inequalities. People in sustainable communities enjoy good health and have high levels of educational attainment. Young and old enjoy a better quality of life than previous generations and there are equal opportunities for people from all backgrounds and cultures.

Whether you see this as a reality or as an impossible dream, it is something everyone can aim for. Our vision of a sustainable community is for Havant to be a better place - safer, more attractive, more prosperous, with fewer inequalities and with a clear sense of community. We also want Havant to be an inclusive and accessible community - a community where no-one is disadvantaged by being unable to access a service they need, because of age, gender, race, disability, or where they live.

This Community Strategy is a plan for achieving that vision over the next three years. It is based on what you, the members of our community, and our partners have told us are the priorities for Havant Borough.

Previous Community Strategy

In putting together this Community Strategy, we have built on Havant's Community Strategy for 2001-2004: "Creating a Better Future - Partnership in Action", which has already resulted in these improvements (amongst others):

· 9 multi-purpose play courts and 12 teenage shelters provided

· Domestic burglary rate down to 6.44 per 1000 dwellings (from 10.8 per 1000 dwellings in 2001)

· Vehicle crime reduced to 10.4 vehicles per 1000 population (from 12.3 per 1000 population in 2001)

· Solent Enterprise Hub* and Business Incubator* (to encourage and develop new businesses) built at the Broadmarsh Business and Innovation Centre*

· Funding obtained for the Leigh Park Education Action Zone, which has meant that education and learning disadvantages have been tackled

· Service 23 Quality Bus Partnership* operating from Leigh Park via Havant Bus Station to Portsmouth: 26 new high quality bus shelters, over 50 raised access kerbs at bus stops, 17 new buses and increased service frequency

· Residents' Panels set up in Leigh Park for resident involvement and consultation on environmental improvements (the "Creating Quality Places" project)

· Five Healthy Living Centre Programme projects commenced - Cook and Eat, Cool to be Healthy, Mental Health Advocates, Substance Misuse Advocates and Strengthening Families

· 117 new housing units built in 2001/02; 68 in 2002/03; and 87 in 2003/04

· Regeneration* scheme for Wecock Farm commenced: redevelopment of village centre, Community Centre with youth wing, takeaway restaurant, Neighbourhood Housing Office and 100 new homes. This is one of a number of successful schemes which Single Regeneration Budget* (SRB) funding has contributed to, including:

· completion of the SureStart building in the Warren Park School site, offering childcare places and breakfast/teatime care on the site, allowing parents opportunities to work or attend training

· establishment of the Apex Centre in Leigh Park to offer opportunities for training in vocational skills

· Youth Council regularly consulted by Havant Borough Council (HBC) on issues relating to young people, for example the location for a skateboarding facility in Waterlooville

· Attractive programme of sporting, cultural and leisure activities for young people developed, for example through the Stakes Lodge Project* and in Leigh Park, which has increased young people's involvement in the community of which they are part

· Young people's website - www.youthbeat.net - established to provide information for young people.

What has Influenced the Community Strategy for 2005 - 2008?

Havant as an area will be subject to a range of influences over the lifetime of this strategy and the following are key to this:

Area Investment Framework* (AIF)

The South East Hampshire Area Investment Framework is a five-year regeneration plan for the four local authority areas of Portsmouth, Fareham, Gosport and Havant. It has been agreed with the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and will provide the basis for obtaining funds for regeneration priorities.

Hampshire Community Strategy

This is a strategy produced by the county-wide Hampshire Strategic Partnership for improving quality of life for the people and communities of Hampshire, through partnership working. It will give extra support to local priorities in instances where working together across the county could bring a better solution.

Havant Compact

This is a written agreement between community and voluntary organisations and Havant Borough Council, which sets out how the two sectors should work together. Both sectors design and honour its principles. It includes things as simple as respecting each other and being open and honest: all the things which form the basis of a good partnership. The Compact is designed to help the council and the community and voluntary sector work together better.

Leigh Park "Creating Quality Places" (CQP) Project

This brings together the local community and interested parties, assisted by a professional team, to develop a plan to improve quality of life in Leigh Park. The aim of the project is to transform the area over time into a place where people want to live, work and enjoy their leisure time.

Liveability Programme

This focuses on public space management/development in communities: play areas, lighting, grounds maintenance. Some £3.2m from the Government's Liveability Fund has been awarded to Havant. This will provide capital resources to achieve improvements in key areas including routes in and around the borough, town centres and important parks.

Natural Environment/Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to natural resources, both species and habitats, which are essential for our survival because they maintain our air, water and soil quality. These species and habitats include marine, coastal and freshwater environments; landscapes; animals, plants, birds and insects; and the soil. One of Havant Borough's great strengths is its natural environment, including the Sites of Special Scientific Interest* (SSSI) - Sinah Common, Langstone and Chichester Harbours, and Warblington Meadow - and the four Local Nature Reserves at Gutner Point, The Kench, Sandy Point and West Hayling. Equally, one of its greatest challenges is balancing the protection of the whole area's natural environment against land development needs, so as to preserve the unique character of individual locations.

Planning Changes

The Planning Reforms now being implemented will see the replacement of County Structure Plans* with Regional Spatial Strategies* (RSS). Local Plans prepared at the District Council and Unitary Council level will also be replaced with a new form of plan to be known as the Local Development Framework (LDF). LDFs will be required to comply with the strategic policies of the RSS. The RSS for the South East to 2026 will be prepared by the South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) and will be called the South East Plan. The South East Plan will include a number of Sub-Regional Spatial Strategies (SRSS) covering areas of the South East where significant growth is anticipated. South Hampshire (the 6 authorities of Southampton, Portsmouth, Havant, Gosport, Fareham and Eastleigh) has been identified as one of these areas. Also included within the sub- region are the urban parts of Test Valley, New Forest, Winchester and East Hampshire. All these authorities are now working together to prepare a draft SRSS for South Hampshire. As one of the core authorities within the area to be covered by the SRSS, Havant can expect to play a key role in accommodating growth that may be agreed within the South East Plan and the SRSS. These documents will need to reflect the themes and priorities of this Community Strategy.

Local Development Framework (LDF)

The Local Development Framework will update the Local Plan. It will result in the production of new planning documents during the period of this Community Strategy. For example, a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) will be prepared, setting out the methods and timing for consulting the public and other interested parties when preparing planning documents and dealing with larger planning applications. In addition, a Core Strategy will be prepared which will reflect the themes of the Community Strategy.

Policing

In all areas of crime the need for a tough stance on crime detection, enforcement and public protection will be balanced by focusing on prolific offenders alongside prevention and rehabilitation of offenders. Suspects will be dealt with effectively and all opportunities taken to reduce and detect crime, such as using DNA and fingerprint evidence, making best use of CCTV and automatic number plate recognition and using community intelligence such as that offered by Neighbourhood Watch. There will be effective early response to reports of burglary from private homes and explore crime prevention opportunities such as issuing stop locks to owners of vulnerable vehicles. There will be full investigation of domestic violence with rigorous supervision of incidents and support for victims. Resources will be focused on problem licensed premises which serve people who are drunk or under-aged and the new Licensing Act will be used to close down disorderly premises. Alcohol in public places will be confiscated and fixed penalty tickets and dispersal orders used where appropriate. Police focus on Class A drugs users and their dealers will be maintained, new powers used to close crack houses and opportunities taken to divert youths at an early age through school liaison officers and community beat officers. There will be close partnership working to reduce anti-social behaviour, using orders and contracts where appropriate and robustly policing any breaches.

Health Services

East Hampshire Primary Care Trust (EHPCT) purchases and provides health services for people in Havant Borough. The PCT's strategic priorities are to improve people's health, to reduce health inequalities across the borough and whenever possible to provide health care closer to people's homes. The PCT places a particular emphasis on both the prevention of ill health and improving the health of patients with chronic illnesses. The provision of high quality smoking prevention and cessation measures, the promotion of physical activity, the prevention of obesity and the improvement of dental health are key issues for Havant Borough for the period 2005 - 2008. The PCT seeks to work with partners and the public to address the wider issues that contribute to poor health and to create opportunities for local people to improve their health.

The PCT, together with Fareham and Gosport PCT, is participating in the NHS Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) initiative. This will result in the creation of a public private partnership (Solent Community Solutions Ltd), two of whose key objectives are to improve the environment in which health and social care are delivered, and to contribute to local regeneration through the provision of employment and other opportunities.

Business Context

There is a need to increase local employment, thus contributing to the vision of a sustainable community; and to attract new investment whilst giving existing business room to expand. Skills levels, transport, high-speed electronic communication (such as Broadband), and a business support environment - all of which contribute to competitiveness - must be addressed. There is a need to move the focus from businesses that primarily find themselves in competition with the labour rates in low-cost countries to greater representation of businesses that can compete within the world economy through innovation in product design, manufacture and marketing. To assist this change in emphasis there is a need to provide support for entrepreneurs in areas such as protecting ideas, raising finance, marketing, delivery and after-sales service.

Funding/Resources Information

Possible sources of funding for improvements include:

· SRB5 Programme funding (Government regeneration funding) to March 2006

("SRB5 Enterprising Leigh Park"*)

· Area Investment Framework funding (Government regeneration funding)

· Community Safety (Home Office) funding

· Partnerships' access to funds:

East Hants Primary Care Trust (LIFT funding)

Police (Home Office funding available via Community Safety Partnership)

Havant Borough Council (HBC) (Liveability Fund, capital funding)

Housing Associations (Regional Housing Board)

Educational institutions (Government funding)

Business/private sector (sponsorship).

Funds from partners/partnership working will bring added value to service delivery.

Resources include the contribution the voluntary and community sector makes to the local economy through, for example, volunteers' time, delivering services, providing training opportunities, encouraging volunteering as a pathway to employment and attracting large amounts of money into the borough through its own endeavours. The voluntary and community sector is recognised by the government for the important part it plays in our communities. It not only organises volunteers to deliver services to enrich society but is also able to contribute large sums to the local economy by raising funds from charitable trusts - a source not available to the statutory or business sectors. Additionally, it has large established networks and contacts within the community and is thus able to collect from and disseminate information to, residents; and to consult and act as a collective voice when appropriate.

New Approach

Experience of delivering the previous Community Strategy has indicated a need for a more simplified approach, moving from eight aims to three overarching themes:

· the economy

· social inclusion

· the environment.

These three themes match central government's "wellbeing" power for local authorities - a legal power to promote the wellbeing of their area. This gives a local authority power to do anything which it thinks will achieve one or more of:

the promotion or improvement of the economic wellbeing of its area

" " " " social wellbeing of its area

" " " " environmental wellbeing of its area.

Community partners have raised the need for greater community involvement in the HCP. As a result of this feedback, six local community consultation groups (Community Boards) have been set up, in order to give residents the opportunity to become involved in identifying and planning improvements for their localities. These Community Boards have been set up in the five distinct communities of the borough: Emsworth, Havant, Hayling Island, Leigh Park and Waterlooville (two boards: North and South). The boards will concentrate on environmental projects under the Liveability Programme in their first year and then will become local extensions of the HCP. All partners in the HCP will be able to consult with Community Boards to address priority issues in their areas.

Themes and Priorities

The following strategic priorities for each of the three themes have been identified through a consultation process involving partners, HBC staff and the Citizens' Panel (Community Pulse):

The Economy

Economic development:

· attracting more wealth into the local economy by bringing in new businesses, expansion of existing local businesses and winning funds for social and environmental projects

Town centres:

· revitalising/bringing in new retail businesses, in order to create an attractive and distinctive shopping environment

Employment:

· increasing the number of local jobs so as to reduce travelling out of the borough to work

· encouraging the development of knowledge-based and value-added businesses

Education/skills development/training:

· increasing opportunities for skills development, to improve productivity and competitiveness

Bringing benefits to Havant through the development of a sub-regional plan for urban South Hampshire.

Social Inclusion

Health:

· equal access to and delivery of, health services for everyone, including using the Patient Advice and Liaison Service* (PALS) as a key source of feedback and public engagement

Housing:

· working to bring about a more balanced housing market in which everyone has the opportunity to live in a decent home at a cost which is affordable

Crime and disorder:

· improving quality of life by continuing to reduce crime and dlsorder and reducing fear of becoming a victim

Young people/age-related issues:

· encouraging and supporting young and older people to contribute to developing a local community of which everyone can be proud

Anti-poverty

· tackling the disadvantages which limit people's ability to take part effectively in economic, social or cultural activity

· ensuring that everyone in the borough has the opportunity to benefit from the general prosperity of the region.

The Environment

Built environment

· improving the design and quality of built-up areas

· progressing strategies for key development sites and areas

Public places and spaces

· better maintenance/presentation

· improving the appearance of access routes into towns

Transport:

· promoting more sustainable transport choices

· improving road safety

· improving access to transport for disabled and mobility-impaired people

Sustainability*

· increasing recycling

· more efficient use of energy

· investigating alternative energy supplies.

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Strategic Action Plan

The Action Plan which follows is on two different levels: actions to progress the development of the Havant Community Partnership and consultation methods, and actions arising from the three overarching themes of the Community Strategy as a whole. In each case a Lead Partner has been identified and SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timebound [wherever possible]) targets set.

(i) HCP Actions

(ii) Actions under the Three Themes. Whilst recognising that many of these issues are inter-related, actions have been grouped under the three overarching themes in order to provide a clear framework for the Action Plan. Although a "Lead Partner" has been identified for each work area, every partner has a role to play in achieving the targets, in order to improve quality of life.

What Does This Mean For Your Area?

The table which follows shows, within the three themes, the priorities which have been identified by partners, HBC staff and the public, for each of the five separate communities of the borough:

Each Community Board area has been allocated £50,000 from the Liveability Fund monies awarded to Havant, to support area priorities.

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Community Involvement

There has been an inclusive approach to the review of the Community Strategy, underpinned by a comprehensive consultation process which has included a Partnership Forum event, a Citizens' Panel survey and consultation with some 150 partner organisations in the wider HCP.

The engagement of local communities in the work of the HCP is key to the effective delivery of this revised Community Strategy and will be continued through the Community Boards, which will each be given the opportunity to develop action plans for their local areas, influencing the quality of life agenda for the community they represent. The first focus of the Community Boards will be the environmental improvements under the Liveability Programme. After that, the Boards have an important role to play in future years as consultation mechanisms for the HCP and as a means of public participation in major planning decisions under the Local Development Framework. It is anticipated that in due course one representative of each Community Board will have a seat on the HCP Board.

Implementing the Strategy

This strategy will be implemented through the Strategic Action Plan outlined in (Section */on pages ****). The HCP Board will concentrate on the major strategic issues which face the Havant area as a whole, with the Community Boards being given the opportunity to focus on local needs and priorities.

We Will Know We Have Been Successful If:

· Community Boards are established and operating by June 2005

· The HCP is active and recognised in the community

· The targets outlined in the Strategic Action Plan are met

· There is increased community involvement in improvement activities throughout the borough

· There is active community involvement in major planning decisions

· A HCP website is developed and accessible.

Monitoring and Reviewing the Community Strategy

This Community Strategy will be monitored and reviewed annually by reporting progress on projects delivered, to the HCP Board at its October meeting.

Sources

· Creating a Better Future - Partnership in Action (Havant's Community Strategy 2001 - 2004)

· Creating Quality Places (Leigh Park Environmental Improvement Project)

· Hampshire Community Strategy

· Consultations

· Partnership Forum event February 2004 (109 representatives of over 80 partner organisations attended)

· HBC Staff consultation event April 2004

· Citizens' Panel consultation June 2004

· Liveability Fund bid

· Tewkesbury Borough Council assistance under Beacon Council Scheme*.

HCP Board Member Organisations

HCP Structure

Diagram of HCP structure/Community Boards

To be inserted.

Who/how to contact

If you have a query about anything included in this Community Strategy, or you would like further copies, please e-mail: [email protected] or write to:

Policy and Partnership Officer

Corporate Group (Democratic Services)

Havant Borough Council

Civic Offices

Civic Centre Road

HAVANT

PO9 2AX.

The strategy can also be viewed on the Havant Borough Council website: www.havant.gov.uk

Abbreviations Used

Glossary of Terms