Aim: To create vibrant neighbourhoods and to provide access for all to economic, social, democratic and educational activities.

Some people feel that Shrewsbury is a very vibrant place, pointing to the wide range of sports and leisure activities on offer, the cultural opportunities, the outstanding medieval and Georgian heritage of the town or the excellent shopping facilities. Other people (particularly the young) consider that Shrewsbury is as dull as dishwater, with little for them to do. To satisfy these people more and better services and facilities will be required. However, between the two extremes are a considerable number of people who think that Shrewsbury does have a lot to offer, but for various reasons, they simply aren't able to make use of the services or facilities available.

(This section should be read in conjunction with those on Social Inclusion and Transport.)

Important Issues to address

• Understanding the real needs of communities.
• Community capacity and involvement in decision-making processes.
• Provision of services for children and young people.
• Sustainability of communities, community groups, initiatives and activities.
• Access to services, facilities and resources of all types.
• Support for volunteers and voluntary organisations.
• Access to community focal points.
• Provision of activities, help and support for parents, including availability and accessibility of childcare facilities.
• Use of electronic systems in local government to improve customer service.

Key Objectives

• To listen to and involve communities and to undertake further extensive community consultation to find out the needs of all sectors of the community.
• To improve and expand the provision of children's play opportunities.
• To develop a comprehensive strategy for the provision of services for children and young people.
• To provide long term support for communities to help ensure sustainability.
• To develop three youth forums in the Borough.
• To devolve power and resources to the lowest authoritative level possible and encourage more public involvement in decision-making.
• To ensure that appropriate organisational structures are in place to allow decision-making and action at a more local level.
• To build community capacity to ensure that those charged with decision making at the local level are adequately skilled to enable them to fulfil their responsibilities.
• To encourage active citizenship and volunteering.
• To audit existing activity, participation and satisfaction within communities.
• To formulate strategies for 'quick wins' to foster enthusiasm.
• To encourage providers to deliver their services at a more local level.
• To maximize the opportunities for families to enjoy sport together.
• To improve sports and leisure facilities and improve their accessibility.
• To improve cultural facilities and improve their accessibility.
• To improve parks and open spaces.
• To improve access to information and advice services.
• To provide activities, help and support specifically for older people and carers.
• To develop arts, sports and heritage programmes that can be delivered within neighbourhoods.
• To ensure that a choice in leisure time activity is available.
• To provide activities, help and support specifically for parents
• To improve the availability and accessibility of childcare facilities.
• To support volunteers and voluntary organisations.
• To increase the number of community focal points.
• To ensure that the mix of housing and local facilities supports a sustainable community.
• To develop electronic systems in local government to improve customer service.

Actions

• Continue community consultation using a variety of techniques and incentives.
• Develop a play and young people's strategy in conjunction with young people.
• Develop a young people's decision-making body as a forum by which young people can participate in wider decision making.
• Develop and fund a voluntary and community sector grants programme e.g. the Community Initiatives Fund. This programme will be developed within the context of a 'compact' (a framework for good relations) between funding bodies and the voluntary and community sector.

Future Community Involvement

Although we have tried to involve as many people as possible in putting this strategy together, it is unlikely that we have managed to reach everybody. Over the coming year we will involve the community in further development of the strategy. Please contact the Policy department for further details. 

Monitoring

To include:

Links to other strands of the strategy

• Social inclusion.
• The environment.
• Transport.
• Learning and skills.

Partners in Delivery

• Arts Forum
• Business Link
• Community Council of Shropshire
• Community Development Organisations
• Community Groups and Organisations
• Creative Arts Team Shropshire
• Gateway Arts and Education Centre
• Music Hall Out-reach Programme
• Parish Councils
• Residents' Groups and Associations
• Schools and Colleges
• Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council
• Shrewsbury and District Chamber of Commerce
• Shrewsbury Business Club
• Shrewsbury Business Partnership
• Shrewsbury Civic Society
• Shrewsbury Countryside Unit
• Shrewsbury Museums Service
• Shrewsbury Town Centre Management Partnership
• Shropshire County Council
• Shropshire County Library Service
• Shropshire Youth Service
• Through the Doorway Healthy Living Partnership
• Voluntary Action Shrewsbury
• Voluntary Groups and Organisations
• Youth Groups and Associations