KEITH WOOD COMMUNITY PLANNING MANAGER NEWARK AND SHERWOOD DISTRICT COUNCIL A Presentation to the 3 rd Annual AAP Conference – 6 November 2009 The Role of Transport in Beating the Recession and other benefits

Area to be covered 1. Whistle stop introduction to Local Strategic Partnerships, roles, responsibilities etc. 2. Short Transport Case Study – Newark and Sherwood LSP 3. Financial aspects 4. Future vision

The Role of Local Strategic Partnerships Each District and County should have a local strategic partnership made up of representative organisations from the statutory, voluntary (community) and business sectors. Their roles are: to identify local issues of strategic importance which affect local communities that require joint action. develop aspirations for improvements to the quality of life for all residents which are published in a community plan which should be sustainable. To co-ordinate and performance manage the plan.

Activities of Local Strategic Partnerships Each partnership operates slightly differently but there are common threads which include: Public consultation to determine priorities for the area. Determination of issues which need to be improved or identification of new services that need to be provided. Development of an action plan (The Sustainable Community Plan) showing proposals to be carried out by partners which address the issues and produce the desired outcomes. Monitoring and management of activity and ordering evasive action to be taken if progress falls behind schedule.

Responsibilities of Local Strategic Partnerships To identify and then try to meet the priority needs of the local community in the most efficient and effective way. Delivery in partnership with others can demonstrate that a great deal of value can be added over the single agency approach (but often this is overlooked and sometimes the benefits are difficult to quantify). The LSP also has a responsibility to react to changing circumstances such as the recession.

Case study

We have a vision - to be judged by residents as one of the Top 5 rural local authority areas within the East Midlands Region by AND WE HAVE LOCALLY DETERMINED PRIORITIES. The Vision

How are we going to achieve our vision? In 2006 our strategic priorities for the area were for it to be: Clean and Green Learning and Earning Accessible Healthy Culturally Connected Safe and Strong OUR LOCAL STRATEGIC DELIVERY PLAN DETAILS WHAT WE INTEND TO DO.

So where does transport feature in our community strategy and plans and which of our six priorities relate to transport issues?

Clean and Green Better public transport – particularly in rural areas (Better access identified as very important for the young and vulnerable). Carbon reduction targets - reductions in Co2 and other emissions (International targets to meet). Increased environmental job opportunities (Designing, developing and maintaining products and systems). Access to potentially more rewarding job opportunities.

Clean and Green Learning and Earning Opportunities to access further education and skills training. Opportunities to access better paid or more interesting employment. Opportunities for all but particularly the more disadvantaged both physically and geographically.

Clean and Green Learning and Earning Accessible Access to employment opportunities. Access to leisure and retail opportunities. Access to training. Access to health facilities. Access for tourists. Overall economic benefits for the area.

Clean and Green Learning and Earning Accessible Healthy Reduced respiratory illness with reduced private car usage (lower pollution levels). Potentially less problematic mental health with increased levels of employment. Easier access to health facilities.

Clean and Green Learning and Earning Accessible Healthy Culturally Connected Better access to cultural opportunities. Better access to friends and families. Better access to social networking facilities. Increased levels of fitness.

Clean and Green Learning and Earning Accessible Healthy Culturally Connected Safe and Strong More employment could mean less acquisitive crime???? More cohesive communities through easier cultural links. Greater number of people in public places can increase safety and feelings of well-being (Vibrant towns).

Clean and Green Learning and Earning Accessible Healthy Culturally Connected Safe and Strong So it’s a full house for Transport

Funding issues LSP ‘s are funded in different ways but many don’t have much, if any, additional income, relying on partners mainstream budget contributions. Competition for funding projects is therefore great and unless the need is identified in plans then there is little chance of additional funds being made available.

Funding issues continued Currently in Newark and Sherwood LSP’s plans, and I suspect in others as well there is little direct reference to transport issues which is both surprising and disappointing in a such a rural area, however as can be seen there are many indirect links. Funding new services is going to be difficult in the current financial climate but it is important to try to link all the various transport and access issues up and get them included in future updates Programmes such as that run by AAP are therefore most important particularly in rural areas and it needs to be sustained particularly at times of recession.

Future Vision We have our vision for the future and sustainable transport and access issues can play a part in helping us achieve this vision but we need help to maximise the full potential. This is relevant even if the country moves out of recession. All agencies and organisations across all sectors need to play their part but so must the general population by using any services that are provided.

Future Vision The LSP has a large number of contacts and participants but without full participation of providers and users then the uphill struggle will continue at the same lethargic pace. We have the power and the opportunity to make a difference not only during a recession but at all times provided that we are prepared to join the Partnership Challenge.