PAPER C

 

                                                                                                Purpose: For Decision

                       

Committee:                 EXECUTIVE

 

Date:                           2 JULY 2002

 

Title                             COMMUNITY STRATEGY

 

                                    THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL

 

 

SUMMARY/PURPOSE

 

In April this year the Executive approved a second stage of formal consultation on the draft community strategy for the Island. A copy of the consultation draft was circulated to all members.   The consultation period is now completed. The key results from the consultation are contained in this report. A more detailed analysis of the consultation results is underway and will be sent to all members when completed along with any suggested responses. Copies will be placed in the member lounge and made available for the public. Changes to the strategy relating to the Councils contribution will be incorporated into a final draft strategy after the full Council has given consideration to them on 24 July.

 

The Executive is asked to note the consultation results and recommend the strategy for adoption by the full Council.

 

BACKGROUND

 

The Local Government Act 2000 requires all local authorities to see that a Community Strategy is developed for their area. Work on the final draft is now underway following wide-ranging consultation with the public and partner organisations.

 

Since the Executive last considered the matter:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initial Consultation results

 

The public response both at public meetings and by returning questionnaires has been disappointing.  Fewer than 250 people attended the various public meetings - although some represented larger organisations / networks - and only 170 questionnaires had been returned by the end of the formal consultation period. Experience shows that more responses will follow, but such a limited response does not appear to provide a good basis for making significant changes to the draft of the community strategy which itself emerged from a more widely supported consultation exercise.

 

Despite the obvious weaknesses; the questionnaire responses received so far are supportive of the draft strategy as the following table shows

 

SUBJECT

% AGREE

% DISAGREE

 

 

 

The overall vision for the Island

58

42

 

 

 

The example aspirations for the:

 

 

Quality of life and sustainability theme

92

8

Developing learning and skills theme

86

14

Access to services and facilities theme

81

19

Supporting jobs and the local economy theme

81

19

Promoting equality theme

76

24

Ensuring quality in the built environment theme

75

25

Developing tourism theme

68

32

 

 

 

The example actions underpinning the

 

 

Developing learning and skills theme

82

18

Access to services and facilities theme

76

24

Quality of life and sustainability theme

75

25

Supporting jobs and the local economy theme

61

39

Promoting equality theme

66

34

Ensuring quality in the built environment theme

68

32

Developing tourism theme

63

37

 

A considerable number of additional comments were received both on the questionnaires and as a result of the various public meetings. These are currently being analysed. The comments fall into three categories; on the content of the strategy itself, on the format, language etc of the strategy and on the community strategy process both now and in the future. These comments will be examined further to see if they form the basis of any amendments to the draft strategy. The fuller analysis and any suggested response will be available before the Council meets on 24 July

 

The way forward

 

It has now been some18 months since the Council took the lead in developing a community strategy for the Island and the first stage of this ongoing process is now reaching a conclusion. The Council and partners organisations need to endorse the final draft and take responsibility for the actions that all to them. The Island Futures partnership will need to consider how progress will be monitored across all partners as well as how to receive new ideas and provide feedback.

 

It is important to remember the strategy is not just another council document. It is over-riding and provides the context for many other plans, bids and organisation. The council is just one contributor and other organisations and individuals have major roles to play in achieving the vision for the future. Individual members of the LSP are also being asked to formally adopt the strategy and, like the Council, their separate plans will increasingly contain the details of how the vision for 2012 is to be achieved.

 

The Island Futures strategy is clearly a key document. Through its seven themes, it will provide a framework for the Council’s own strategy as well as for the rest of the Island. It will provide the link between many future plans, strategies and bid documents. It may encourage a rationalisation of plans and partnerships and lead to more productive joint working. It is also a visible sign of the continuing process of engagement between the people of the island and the public, private, voluntary and community sectors. As such, the Council as the prime democratic body on the Island has already re-considered its own objectives for the future.

 

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

 

To note the results of the formal consultation exercise.

 

To recommend the draft strategy to the full Council for adoption.

 

 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The cost of producing the strategy will be met from within the existing base budget provision.

 

BACKGROUND PAPERS

 

Island Futures – consultation draft community strategy – April 2002

Preparing Community Strategies - Government guidance to local authorities - December 2000

Agenda and minutes of the Executive - 23 April 2002

 

Contact Points: Tony Geeson (823291), Heidi Marshall (3250)

 

 

                                                           

 

 

A KAYE

Head of Paid Service

 

S SMART

Leader of the Council