Stronger Communities Sub-Group
The Stronger Communities Sub-Group is chaired by Mandy Wynne, Deputy Chief Executive of Voluntary Action West Kent.
In 2006 the Local Government White Paper “Strong and Prosperous
Communities” was produced, setting out aims to empower local
communities and ensure that local people are able to influence decisions
that affect them.
The aim of the Stronger Sub-Group is to enable agencies delivering
services in the borough of Tunbridge Wells to collaborate and encourage
local residents to be engaged in decision-making. Below are some of
the “stronger communities” priorities identified in strategic
documents relating to the borough:
Vision for Kent: Stronger and Safer Communities
(County Community Strategy)
Long term goals:
- confident stable communities, well-equipped to deal with change
- supportive and enabled individuals, families & communities
- partnership approach in which communities work together with public
services
- informs and enables residents to think global and act local in
addressing complex environmental, physical and social issues
confident enough to embrace all cultures and diversity
- ensure communities include the diverse range of all abilities
which live within them
- develops new communities that are as active and engaged as existing
communities
- enjoys effective community leadership and a network of support
systems
- is made up of strong and vibrant communities working together
to achieve their potential
- develops and sustains engagement of people in Kent’s communities
through the full range of their activities – social, cultural,
spiritual and environmental
- develops an individual and collective sense of civic values, responsibility
and pride.
Short term priorities:
- supporting independence and promoting opportunities for disadvantaged
individuals and communities in Kent
- adhering to the principles set out in the Kent Compact to create
a framework for positive change and a proactive relationship between
partners and the voluntary and community sectors
- increasing the capacity of local communities so that people are
empowered to participate in local decision-making and in delivering
services
- meeting the regeneration needs of Kent’s communities and
fostering active involvement, community development, engagement
and participation
- supporting and developing a strong, inclusive and diverse voluntary
and community sector in Kent, including faith groups, and widening
the range of people active with voluntary and community organisations
- helping vulnerable people to help themselves and become active
citizens in a community based on stable and independent families
- creating a wider awareness of the scope of the voluntary and community
sector activities and their benefits to communities and individuals
Enhancing the Quality of Life for All: Encouraging social inclusion
by supporting independence
(Borough Sustainable Community Strategy)
- encouraging volunteering and empowering local communities to participate
in decision-making and delivery of service
- engaging with, helping realise the potential of, and meeting the
diverse needs of older people, people with disabilities and Black
and Minority Ethnic groups
Kent Agreement
(County-wide agreement between Central Government and KCC and partner
agencies)
- NI 3 Civic participation in the local area
- NI 6 Participation in regular volunteering
- NI 11 Engagement in the arts
- NI 110 Young people's participation in positive activities
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