Preston
Community
Strategy
2009-2012
The Sustainable Community Strategy for Preston
Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2009-2012
Foreword
The Sustainable Community Strategy for Preston
2009-2012 builds on the work and achievements of the partners
on the Preston Strategic Partnership to deliver
the actions in the previous two Community Strategies
In producing this updated Strategy, we have demonstrated
the greater importance of issues associated with children and
young people, older people and equality and diversity since the
previous Strategy by adding new themes.. We have also taken the
opportunity to update the other themes in the Strategy
The Strategy reflects our understanding of the priorities identified
for Preston including those that are particularly challenging and
the benefits of focussing our resources to tackle these priorities.
All the partners are committed to delivering the actions in the
Strategy and have reiterated their commitment to working
together for the benefit of the people of Preston
Cllr Ken Hudson
Leader of Preston City Council
Chair of Preston Strategic Partnership
Parish Council
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Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2009-2012
Contents
Introduction Pages 4-10
Children and Young People (In Preston)
Pages 11-17
Culture (In Preston)
Pages 18-22
Environment (Preston Values Its Environment)
Pages 23-28
Health and Wellbeing (In Preston)
Pages 29-35
Housing (Quality Housing For Preston)
Pages 36-42
Older People (In Preston)
Pages 43-48
People and Communities (In Preston)
Pages 49-53
Prosperous (Preston) Pages 54-60
Safer ( A Safer Preston) Pages 61-67
Appendix Pages 68-70
Glossary of Terms Pages 71-73
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Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2009-2012
Introduction
Introduction
The Preston Strategic Partnership (PSP) is a group of organisations from the Public, Voluntary,
Community and Private sectors who are committed to:
• Developing and implementing action to achieve the strategic
vision for Preston
• Working together to achieve jointly agreed priorities for Preston
• Making best use of partners’ resources to deliver the vision.
Background and Starting Point
The purpose of the Sustainable Community Strategy for Preston is to set out the vision, and describe
the approach needed to achieve it. It is the responsibility of the PSP to produce the Sustainable
Community Strategy for Preston and ensure it is delivered.
This is the third Community Strategy; the first Strategy was produced in 2003 and reviewed in
2006/07 to provide the second Strategy in 2007.
This third Strategy includes new sections to reflect changes relating to the increased importance
of issues associated with children and young people, older people and equality and diversity since
the production of the previous ie second Strategy. The other sections of the Strategy have not been
altered other than being updated where necessary, because they were reviewed extensively during
production of the second Strategy
Although many policies and plans underpin parts of the Community Strategy (listed in the Appendix),
there are some which underpin the full document.
These are:o Ambition Lancashire - the Community Strategy for Lancashire
o Lancashire Local Area Agreement - an Agreement containing targets on shared priorities
o Central Lancashire Local Development Framework which includes Preston - which is in process of development and will contribute to delivery of targets in the Community Strategy.
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Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2009-2012
Preston Context
Introduction
Preston is England’s newest city, granted city status in 2002 as part of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee
celebrations. Its roots as an ancient market town date back to the 1179 Charter, when the right to
have a Guild Merchant was granted by King Henry, influencing the commercial, political, social and
cultural life of the town.
Preston – the third city of the North West
Location
Preston is at the heart of the county of Lancashire, in an ideal central location one hour north of
Manchester, an hour south of Cumbria and the Lake District, and even closer to Liverpool and
Merseyside. The city has excellent transport links, and acts as a hub for rail and road networks. More
than one million people are within 30 minutes’ drive of Preston.
The city is the administrative, commercial, legal, cultural and educational centre of Lancashire. It is
home to the University of Central Lancashire, one of the largest universities in the country, which has
in turn attracted new industries and a knowledge economy to Preston.
Preston is also a cultural hub: the Harris Museum and Art Gallery, the National Football Museum, the
city’s parks, and a variety of events attract visitors from across Lancashire and beyond. A forthcoming
major Event is the next Preston Guild in 2012.
Major Developments
Preston is aiming to enhance its retail role within Lancashire through the ‘Tithebarn’ scheme, a
partnership between the City Council, developer Grosvenor Estates and Lend Lease. Not only will this
scheme create a new shopping area, it will also meet some of the other challenges an expanding city
like Preston faces such as providing better office accommodation, more diverse housing and higher
quality leisure facilities. Other major projects being progressed include Riverworks and the Central
Business District.
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Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2009-2012
Introduction
People
It’s the people of Preston who make our city distinctive. ‘Proud Prestonians’ are advocates for their city:
in the 2009 PSP Quality of Life survey, 56.3% of them spoke highly of it.
We have a wide range of communities, with different needs and priorities. We support and celebrate
cultural diversity, acknowledging its contribution to Preston life – but against a backdrop of growth and
development, we still have areas of deprivation and associated social problems.
Challenges
Preston faces some serious regeneration challenges despite our economic success. All the indicators
of multiple deprivation highlight large areas of the city in need of comprehensive socio-economic and
physical regeneration. We must address these if all our people are to benefit from the employment
opportunities created here.
Achievements since 2007
There have been a variety of achievements since the second Community Strategy
was produced in 2007.
One achievement from each theme is shown below for each of the nine themes.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Improvement in pass rate at Key Stage 4 (GCSE) - Children and Young People theme
Broad range of events and community celebrations held - Culture theme
Significant improvements in household recycling and composting rates - Environment theme
Improvements in healthy eating via Healthy Schools Programme - Health & Wellbeing theme
Increase in numbers of social housing meeting Decent Homes Standards - Housing theme
Holding Events to inform older people about provision of services and seek their views Older
Peoples theme
Production of Guide for residents and newly arrived migrants - People & Communities theme
Establishment of Business Improvement District in City Centre - Prosperity theme
Reduction in violent crime and burglary- Safer theme.
More information on the wider range of achievements in each theme is shown under Main
Achievements in each of the nine Theme Sections.
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Preston Sustainable
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Introduction
Vision for the Community Strategy
Our Vision is ‘To Make Preston The Third City Of The North West By 2012’
Priorities
The aim of this Community Strategy is to benefit everyone in Preston.
This means we face these challenges:
• Enhancing the role of Preston at a county, regional and national level
• Enhancing Sustainability ie integrating environmental protection such as addressing climate change with tackling social and economic challenges
and
• Reducing deprivation and inequalities, on issues such as health and employment, between and within different areas and communities of Preston linked to
• Promoting Equality and Diversity ie promoting equality and diversity and cohesive communities linked to
• Facilitating Involvement of citizens and communities in the development and delivery of services and initiatives
Enhancing the role of Preston
Continuing to build on the many features of Preston – such as locational, economic and cultural
– to promote its role at a county, regional and national level, for the benefit of the people of Preston.
Tithebarn and other major regeneration projects will bring many benefits to Preston, particularly
employment opportunities and a range of facilities. We will be working to maximising the benefits
for all the people of Preston, particularly those from deprived areas or otherwise disadvantaged
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Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2009-2012
Introduction
Enhancing Sustainability
The major issue of concern is climate change with the Environment theme taking the lead in
delivering action. Delivery of actions from other parts of the Strategy will also contribute to action
on this.
Reducing Deprivation and Inequalities
Reiterating our commitment to focus on delivering targets which will reduce the differences
between the deprived and other areas of Preston. Also by reiterating our commitment to reduce any
inequalities arising from gender, age, disability, ethnicity, faith, sexuality and location within Preston
and increasing accessibility to services and thereby maintain cohesive communities.
The reduction of inequalities is reflected throughout the themes in the Community Strategy:Culture, Environment, Health & Wellbeing, Housing, Prosperity and Safety themes - all these themes
contain actions which aim to reduce inequalities
Children and Young People theme - the importance attached to addressing the needs of children
and young people is reflected in the Community Strategy containing a Children and Young Peoples
theme
Older People theme - the importance attached to addressing the needs of older people is reflected
in the Community Strategy containing an Older Peoples theme.
People and Communities theme - focuses on promoting equality and diversity and cohesion
between communities
Neighbourhood working
The approach to Neighbourhood Management led by the City Council working with other PSP
partners has led to the establishment of 4 Neighbourhood Management Action Schemes covering
the deprived areas of Preston. These Schemes have assisted in delivering action to reduce
inequalities between these areas and the rest of Preston.
Specific issues in the other parts of Preston are being addressed via a rollout of aspects of the
approach used in the Neighbourhood Management scheme areas.
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Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2009-2012
Introduction
Promoting Equality and Diversity
The People and Communities theme focuses on promoting equality and diversity and cohesion
between communities and links to/influences other themes in the Community Strategy.
Also supported by Neighbourhood working
Facilitating involvement of Citizens and Communities
The PSP has a role in facilitating the opportunity for citizens to provide their views and become
engaged in delivery of services as is now set out in the ‘ Duty to Involve’ places on Public Sector
organisations and Local Strategic Partnerships.
The PSP’s approach will focus on coordination of consultations by PSP partner organisations and
supporting a coordinated approach to community engagement, led by the City Council working
with partners.
Surveys by the PSP
The Preston Citizens Panel was established early in 2009. This contains people representing the
population of Preston and will be providing views on questions provided by PSP partners to assist
them in providing services to meet peoples needs.
Neighbourhood Working
The Neighbourhood Management Schemes have Neighbourhood Management Partnership Boards
comprising local people, Councillors, service providers and voluntary and faith sector providers.
A process is underway currently by the City Council to review the role and operation of the Area
Forums which it provides and involves input from other PSP partners as part of a process to provide a
more coordinated approach to engagement with people locally.
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Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2009-2012
Introduction
Visions in Themes of the Community Strategy
The overall vision is underpinned by a Vision from each of the nine themes in the Community
Strategy:Preston will be:
• A city which meets the needs and promotes aspirations and priorities for children and young people (Children and Young People theme)
• A city where a vibrant culture and creativity attracts national attention, connects communities and enhances quality of life and economic prosperity (Culture theme)
• A clean, green and environmentally sustainable city (Environment theme)
• A city that promotes wellbeing in which people have the opportunity to live a full, healthy and satisfied life (Health & Wellbeing theme)
• A city where everyone can expect to live in a decent, secure, affordable home in a safe neighbourhood (Housing theme)
• A city which reflects the aspirations and expectations of older adults (Older Peoples theme)
• A city where diversity is positively valued and celebrated (People & Communities theme)
• One of the top three cities in the North West, with high levels of employment and enterprise, where businesses prosper and people aspire to live, work and visit (Prosperity theme)
• A safer city with lower levels of crime and disorder, and reduced fear of crime (Safer theme).
Achieving the Vision through Action
The Vision for Preston will be achieved by delivering the Strategic Objectives and High Level
Outcomes set out in the nine themes of the Community Strategy.
Specific actions and targets will be agreed and carried out each year, set out in a Community Strategy
Action Plan, with regular monitoring and reporting on progress.
The focus of the Action Plan will be delivery of relevant targets relating to Preston from the
Lancashire Local Area Agreement, accompanied by other targets relating to identified priorities.
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Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2009-2012
Children and
Young People
in Preston
Background and Starting Point
Preston has a relatively young population – the proportion of the population between 0-14 is
slightly higher than the national average at almost 18%, and age range between 15-24 is almost
21%, 4% above the national average. Preston is the 2nd worst district, of the 12 in Lancashire, for the
percentage of children who come from families that suffer income deprivation.
The Government’s aim, through the Every Child Matters initiative, is for every child, whatever their
background or circumstances, to have the support they need to be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and
achieve, make a contribution and achieve economic wellbeing.
The 5 outcomes from the Government’s vision for Children and Young People are key to this theme
and the wellbeing in childhood and later life
The Preston Local Children’s Trust Partnership (established as a result of the Children Act 2004) is a
multi agency partnership responsible for the delivery of the Children’s Agenda.
Local Children’s Trust Partnerships are a new way of working that bring together the thinking,
planning and actions of people working with children and young people towards achieving excellent
outcomes for them. These arrangements are relevant to parents, families and to children and young
people themselves.
They include
• Closer working between people who work directly with children and young people.
• Better communication between the organisations that work with children and young people.
• Joined up thinking, planning and acting by organisations in districts and across the county.
• Organisations that work together as partners and are accountable for making sure that children and young people are healthy, safe, achieving, having fun, involved and economically sound.
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Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2009-2012
Main Achievements since 2007
Children and
Young People
in Preston
The Preston Local Children’s Trust Partnership was established in late 2007 and during 2008 it
became embedded as a partnership. Its responsibilities includes acting as a Thematic Working Group
of the PSP.
Established the Preston Local Children’s Trust Partnership
The Trust has a membership consisting of Lancashire County Council, Preston City Council, NHS
Central Lancashire, and Lancashire Constabulary as partners who have a “Duty to Co-operate” and is
further supported by representatives from the Community, Voluntary and Faith sector through the
Preston Community Network plus representatives from the three levels of Schools (Special, Primary
and High) and the Fire and Rescue Service. Involvement from the Higher Education sector will be
sought. Sub Groups of the Preston Local Trust Partnership (PLTP) have been established; these include
an Engagement Group (who work to ensure involvement from children), young people, parents and
carers, Extended Services Group, Funding Group, Performance Management Group and the Integrated
Working Panel, all of which have a key role in delivery of specific tasks.
The Trust assumed responsibility for some of the targets relating to learning in schools and the wider
community, from the former Learning TWG. Achievements to date are identified below.
Schools targets
Progress has been made in improving standards at KS 2 and KS4. There was a significant improvement
in the percentage of pupils achieving five good GCSE passes at Key Stage 4, particularly for those
schools serving areas of deprivation. However although the proportion of students gaining 5+GCSEs
in 2006-07 was above the average for the country as a whole, it compares unfavourably with other
districts in the region and sub region. The level of achievement at Key Stage 1 was more variable,
depending on the particular subject
Schools that meet/deliver the full Core Offer for Extended Services
Fifty five schools now deliver the full core offer for extended services, some of which are working with
the 6 Childrens Centres. Links with a variety of agencies have been developed, or further strengthened.
A number of initiatives aimed at engaging parents, families and the local community have been
successfully implemented. The full Core Offer includes a varied menu of activities such as homework
clubs and study support, sport, music tuition, dance and drama, arts and crafts and parenting support.
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Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2009-2012
Children and
Young People
in Preston
Provision of Information, Advice and Guidance for All
A Prospectus covering Preston has been produced containing information on courses and training
for young people. There are nine Matrix accredited organisations offering advice, information and
guidance.
Early intervention and prevention
The Local Childrens Trust Partnership has the local responsibility for the prevention and early
intervention developments. Work is progressing and initiatives have been supported through the
prevention funding. Six projects are currently funded covering a variety of activities including sports
and other activities.
Engagement Visioning Event
A successful half day visioning event has taken place with partners and young people to hear the
voice of the children and young people in Preston. The outcomes will be reflected in the Children
and Young People Plan 2009-2012.
Introduction of Common Assessment Framework
The Common Assessment Framework (CAF) has been rolled out in Preston at the beginning of 2009.
The common assessment framework is:
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A common process enabling people who work with chidren and young people to make an assessment - and act on the result; with
A standard form to record the assessment and where appropriate, share with others; and
A re-assessment checklist to help decide if a child or young person would benefit from a common assessment.
It covers all aspects that affect a child’s development, from health, education and social
development, through to housing and family relationships.
This is progressing and will be overseen by the Integrated Working Panel reporting to the Preston
Local Children Trust Partnership.
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Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2009-2012
Our Vision for 2012
Children and
Young People
in Preston
Together we will provide excellent services which respond to local priorities. We will stand up for the
children and young people of Preston, listen to what they say and let everyone know what we are
doing to improve outcomes for children young people and their families.
By 2012, Preston will have:
A city which meets the needs and promotes aspirations and priorities for children and young people.
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Improved life expectancy by reducing infant mortality rates and preventable child deaths
Helped children and young people make positive lifestyle choices about alcohol and substance misuse, smoking, teenage pregnancy and sexual health
Improved the emotional health and well being of our children
Reduced the proportion of obese and overweight children
Have improved services for children with disabilities and life limiting conditions
Ensured the safeguarding of children and young people especially the vulnerable and those most at risk
Improved street safety for children and young people by reducing anti social behaviour, violent crimes, gang cultures and arson
Reduced the numbers of road traffic accidents and increased the road safety awareness of children and young people
Improved the outcomes for children looked after
Increased the educational attainment at all stages and narrow the gap between priority groups and the population as a whole
Increased the number of schools above the 30% GCSE minimum targets (including GCSEs in English and Maths)
Have helped children and young people to develop and contribute positively to their community through increasing access to and take up of positive activities, including sports, cultural and leisure opportunities
Reduced youth offending
Increased the numbers of young people in further and higher education, employment or training, especially in targeted groups and priority areas
Raised aspirations and decreased the levels of child poverty.
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Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2009-2012
Children and
Young People
in Preston
Key Issues for action
•
•
•
•
Improved overall health and wellbeing of children and young people
Improved educational standards and learning opportunities
Improved safety of children and young people
Improved life chances for children and young people.
Delivery of targets
Lancashire Local Area Agreement Targets
NI 50: Emotional Health of Children
NI 55: Childhood obesity in reception year
NI 110: Participation in Positive Activities
NI 112: Under 18 conception rate
NI 117: 16-18 yr olds who are NEET (not in education, employment or training)
Local Indicator: Improving Oral Health in Children
Local Indicator: Reduction of numbers of schools below GCSE minimum targets (NI 78)
(plus other targets in Action Plan).
Linkages between Themes
There are particularly close links with the Health and Wellbeing, Prosperous Preston and
Safer Preston themes.
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Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2009-2012
Children and
Young People
in Preston
Children & Young People in Preston
Strategic Objective
1
To improve the provision of opportunities which promote
the widest levels of participation and progression at every
stage of learning, and maximise achievement of young
people to the age of 19 by raising the quality of provision.
High Level Outcomes
1a
To support schools in developing extended provision so
that all communities have access to the full core offer
1b
To increase the numbers of young people involved in
positive activities
1c
Show continuous improvement in childrens
communication, social and emotional development at the
Foundation stage in line with national targets including a
narrowing of achievement gap between Preston’s deprived
areas and the city as a whole
1d
Raise attainment at Key Stage 2 (11yr olds) in line with
national targets including a narrowing of the gap between
Preston’s deprived areas and the city as a whole
1e
Raise attainment at Key Stage 3 (13 yr olds) ) in line with
national targets including a narrowing of the gap between
Preston’s deprived areas and the city as a whole
1f
Raise attainment at Key Stage 4 (16 yr olds ) in line with
national targets including a narrowing of the GCSE
attainment gap between Preston’s deprived areas and the
city as a whole
1g
Contribute to delivery of 14-19 curriculum in Preston
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Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2009-2012
Children and
Young People
in Preston
Strategic Objective
2
Reduce inequalities in health of children and young people
High Level Outcomes
2a
Reduce infant mortality
2b
Reduce childhood obesity
2c
Reduce the numbers of under 18 conceptions
2d
Improve the level of oral health in Preston
2e
Improve the emotional health and well being of children
and young people in Preston
2f
Reduce prevalence of Chlamydia
2g
Reduce the consumption of drugs and alcohol by children
and young people in Preston
Delivery Agencies Include
Lancashire County Council (LCC), NHS Central Lancashire, Preston City Council (PCC), Learning & Skills
Council (& its successor), Police, Voluntary Sector, Lancashire Fire & Rescue.
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Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2009-2012
Culture
in Preston
Background and Starting Point
Culture should make an essential contribution to the quality of everyone’s life whether it be physical,
social, environmental, emotional or spiritual.
Creating, enhancing and promoting a vibrant cultural ‘offer’ can also boost the local economy by
attracting more visitors and helping to retain highly-skilled, creative and innovative people who, in
turn, help drive the enterprise agenda.
In recognition of these issues Preston Strategic Partnership (PSP) is committed to supporting,
promoting and celebrating Preston’s cultural and leisure opportunities. The Culture in Preston theme
of the Community Strategy is based on extensive consultation and research grounded in Preston’s
Cultural Strategy. It sets out how partners, working together, can enhance the city’s cultural offer in
tandem with other existing strategies.
Preston is rich in cultural assets and iconography. Preston North End - the first champions of the
World’s oldest professional football league - the National Football Museum and regionally significant
Harris Museum and Art Gallery, listed Victorian parks, Preston Sports Arena, the Lancashire Record
Office, the Guildhall and a comprehensive range of public, private and voluntary sector sports
facilities all contribute to ‘place making’. In addition to this, a vibrant night life, excellent selection
of restaurants and developing events programme, all add to the cultural mix and the identity of
England’s newest city.
In addition, culture (arts, sports, events etc) builds social capital; bringing people and communities
together, developing understanding and providing the bedrock for community cohesion.
Central government’s prime focus (as expressed in the Comprehensive Spending Review national
outcomes 2007) is the widening of participation – as both a means to an end i.e. the contribution
culture can make to the economy, education, health, safer and stronger communities; and as an end
in itself i.e. the intrinsic value that enhances individual and community well-being.
At the regional level, the North West Development Agency sees culture and the creative industries
as integral to regenerating the regional economy and improving the quality of life. And within the
sub-regional context there is a significant emphasis on both tourism (Lancashire Economic Strategy)
and green spaces (Central Lancashire City Region Development Programme) as drivers of economic
growth.
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Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2009-2012
Culture
in Preston
Following a full consultation with partners and stakeholders to produce Preston’s first Arts
Development and Events strategies in 2008, the structure below the PSP Cultural Forum has been
strengthened through the formation of subgroups for Arts, Sport (Sport and Physical Activity
Alliance), Events and Public Art, thus strengthening cultural networks within the city and providing
a strong focus for working towards Preston Guild in 2012 placing arts, sport and culture at the
heart of celebrations. The aspiration and ambition should be a 2012 Guild of regional, national and
international significance that tangibly benefits local residents.
Main Achievements Since 2007
Cultural Facilities
Recreation Zones - Development of additional Recreation Zones to complete the inner city network
of 15 Recreation Zones.
St Augustine’s Centre - Developing usage of St Augustine’s multi purpose centre which opened in
September 2005.
BMX track - Developing usage of this track which opened in September 2006
Art House Cinema - Developing usage of Preston’s first independent/art house cinema based at and
managed by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). The project is a partnership between the
University and Voluntary and Community Sector (Preston Film Society) and opened in spring 2006.
Creative and Digital Media Centre at UCLan - The Media Factory - opened.
Public Art Programme - The ‘In Certain Places’ public art programme has supported the display of
public art installations which have enhanced the built environment at various locations across the city.
Football Museum - designated National Museum status - and launch (with UCLan) of Institute of
International Football Studies.
Harris Museum and Art Gallery - achieving Department for Culture, Media & Sport designation as
regional Hub as part of national ‘Renaissance’ programme.
Preston Arts and Design Centre (PAD) - new gallery and Creative Industries support programme
relocated within the Old Post Office building, with the potential to develop the area as a Cultural
Quarter.
53 Degrees - new regionally significant live music/performing arts venue at UCLan.
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Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2007-2012 Strategy
Community
2009-2012
Section
Culture
in Preston
Events
The City has now developed a broad range of events and community celebrations reflecting the
cosmopolitan nature of citizens and communities including Chinese New Year, Caribbean Carnival,
Riversway Festival, Preston Sports Awards, Run Preston and the City of Preston Grand Prix cycling
event merged and branded as ‘Preston on the Move’ festival.
Culture & Community
Community Projects – Increase in scope and area of Streetwise Soccer Scheme and in number of
Groups supporting Preston’s parks.
Sustainable Community Radio - Preston’s Community Radio Station – Preston FM became fully
operational in October 2008. The partnership project is managed by PRESCAP.
Fulwood Specialist Arts College – increasing participation in performing arts.
Our Vision for 2012
A city where vibrant culture and creativity attracts national attention, connects communities and
enhances quality of life and economic prosperity.
By 2012, Preston will have:
• International-standard architecture and a preserved heritage
• Refurbished cultural facilities with services accessible to all (particularly people with disabilities) and a year-long programme of events and festivals, including street entertainment
• A harmonious community of communities and stronger links between culture, diversity and economic growth
• Young people equipped to take part and influence the civic and cultural life of the City
• A more positive media image of Preston and its people
• A Preston Guild of regional, national and international significance
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Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
Preston
2007-2012 Strategy
Community
2009-2012
Section
Culture
in Preston
Key Issues for action
•
•
•
•
Improve usage of existing cultural/leisure facilities particularly in under represented groups
Work towards one new public sector facility of regional status
Improve the existing range of neighbourhood provision
Develop and support a programme of events and activities which increase participation, celebrate cultural diversity and contribute to community cohesion.
Delivery of targets
Lancashire Local Area Agreement Targets
Contributing to delivery of :-
NI 1Percentage of people who believe people from different backgrounds get on well together in
their local area
NI 55 Obesity among primary school age children in Reception Year
NI 110 Young people’s participation in positive activities
(plus other targets in Action Plan).
Linkages between Themes
There are close links with the majority of the other Community Strategy themes
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Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
Preston
2007-2012 Strategy
Community
2009-2012
Section
Culture
in Preston
Culture in Preston
Strategic Objective
1
To increase participation in cultural activities to support
a safer, stronger, healthier/active and more creative
community
High Level Outcomes
1a
Improve usage of existing cultural facilities/activities and
particularly in under-represented groups.
1b
Achieve one new public sector facility of regional status.
1c
Improve the existing range of neighbourhood provision.
1d
Develop and support a programme of events and activities
which increase participation, celebrate cultural diversity and
contribute to community cohesion including Preston Guild
Strategic Objective
2
To integrate cultural and creative activities and ideas into
the regeneration of the whole of the city.
High Level Outcomes
2a
To develop opportunities for the community to be engaged
in enhancing local public spaces.
2b
To provide opportunities and support for artists and creative
practitioners to enhance public spaces
Delivery Agencies Include
Preston City Council (PCC), Lancashire County Council (LCC), University of Central Lancashire
(UCLan), Preston College, Sports and Physical Activity Alliance, Preston Community Network
members Community Gateway Association, Lancashire Wildlife Trust , Arts and Events SubGroups
members, Private Sector, National Football Museum.
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Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2007-2012 Strategy
Community
2009-2012
Section
Preston values
its Environment
Background and Starting Point
Preston’s citizens have inherited a city with many high quality buildings, attractive parks, city centre
green spaces and a surrounding area of open countryside. It is the responsibility of all sectors of
Preston’s community to ensure that they protect and enhance the city’s environment for present and
future generations.
There are a number of plans and strategies that seek to promote, protect and enhance Preston’s
environment. These include land-use planning, waste management, wildlife, transport and
neighbourhood management.
It should be made clear that this is not an all-encompassing environmental strategy for the city of
Preston. It identifies and tackles the key areas where Preston Strategic Partnership partners working
together can add value and/or address important areas which would otherwise not be addressed.
It also contributes to community wellbeing via its approach to achieving sustainable environmental
improvements. Environmental issues that are being tackled by individual partner organisations
in their own work programmes will not be included here as this strategy focuses on joint action
between a number of partners to make a major contribution towards enhancing Preston’s
environment
The main environmental topics that have been identified as priorities are clean streets, climate
change, biodiversity, transport and waste management.
It should be ensured that urban areas are places where people want to live, work, visit and invest by
encouraging clean and attractive residential environments free of litter as well as providing attractive
villages and rural areas. This involves a co-ordinated approach engaging a range of public, private
and voluntary agencies to work in partnership with local communities to effect environmental
improvements.
Action to minimise the extent of climate change and to respond to the impact of that change is an
issue for all sectors of the community. The Strategic Partnership will undertake actions in conjunction
with local neighbourhoods to progressively address the causes of climate change.
23
Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2007-2012 Strategy
Community
2009-2012
Section
Preston values
its Environment
Urban Preston has many green spaces and areas of open countryside such as Winckley Square,
Avenham Park, Miller Park, Riverway and Fishwick Bottoms. A network of public rights of way
traverses and links urban, suburban and rural areas and extends into neighbouring districts. The
Ribble Way is a 70 mile footpath following the river and its valley from the sea through the city to its
source in the Yorkshire Dales. Beacon Fell Country Park provides the largest area of rural open access
land. When the developing Brockholes Wetlands and Woodlands nature reserve opens to the public
in 2011 it should add significantly to the amount of rural open access land. The accessibility to green
space varies across the city and needs to be addressed but must be approached with sensitivity to
the needs of other land users and to vulnerable wildlife.
The benefits of a biological diverse local environment can contribute to overall quality of life for
residents and visitors to the city and functional ecosytems also provide important economic services
such as flood storage, crop pollination and carbon capture. Preston includes one nationally important
Site of Special Scientific Interest and 36 Biological Heritage Sites, which afford recognition and a
degree of protection to the most important locations for wildlife.
Highway authorities produce local transport plans for delivering integrated transport strategies
which include addressing accessibility issues and the impact of transport on the broader
environment. The Community Strategy seeks to shape and enhance the Preston element of such
strategies.
It is important that more recycling and composting of rubbish and garden waste takes place in
Preston in order to reduce the harmful effects on the environment that landfill disposal of waste
creates. Partners will undertake a series of actions to encourage households to reduce, reuse and
recycle their waste. The business sector also needs to take a greater responsibility for recycling.
This will be predominantly driven by tax interventions and resulting market forces but partners will
pursue any opportunities that arise to support efforts by local businesses and the Voluntary sector.
24
Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2007-2012 Strategy
Community
2009-2012
Section
Preston values
its Environment
Main Achievements Since 2007
Air Quality Management
Following the declaration of two Air Quality Management areas prior to 2007, a draft Air Quality
Action Plan has been developed by the City Council and relevant partner organisations and has been
through a process of public consultation. There are 18 actions within the report, which is now in the
process of being adopted by the City Council.
Biodiversity
Boilton Wood and Field, Fishwick, Grange Valley and Haslam have been declared as statutory Local
Nature Reserves. The former Hanson plc sand quarry at Brockholes has been successfully purchased
by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust and is being progressively restored as Brockholes Wetlands and
Woodlands nature reserve and visitor centre – delivering UK and Lancashire Action Plan targets,
together with recreational and economic benefits. The restoration of Avenham and Miller Park and
increasing the number to five the number of parks gaining Green Flag Awards have contributed to
biodiversity and recreation.
Climate Change
Active member of the Lancashire Climate Change Partnership that delivered the Lancashire Climate
Change Strategy launched in April 2009. In the process of developing a ‘Preston Delivery Plan’ that
will deliver actions from the Strategy.
Creating a Clean Environment
There have been significant improvements in cleanliness standards, exceeding the ‘stretch’ /ie
higher target for this in the Local Area Agreement. A dedicated graffiti team has been established
to respond promptly to graffiti issues. There has been enhanced levels of enforcement activity
proactively tackling priority areas. The City Council was a founding member of the North West
Liveability Foundation with the Community Gateway Association and UCLan which will be focussing
on specific areas of Preston to tackle litter, flytipping and related issues.
25
Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2007-2012 Strategy
Community
2009-2012
Section
Preston values
its Environment
Sustainable Waste Management
Ongoing increase in recycling performance – now 33% of waste is recycled or composted.
Introduced innovative weekly food waste collection service expanded to all inner city homes. Won
the National Recycling Award amongst other national awards for recycling achievements and
awareness campaigns. Provided successful recycling service initiative for those living in high rise flats.
Transport
Input to the review of the Lancashire Local Transport Plan where appropriate. Increases in bus
usage. Improvements in infrastructure such as the Walton-le-Dale Park and Ride scheme. Supported
introduction of the CIVITAS Preston Clear Zone Initiative (includes measures to improve travel and
protect environment)
Our Vision for 2012
A clean, green and environmentally sustainable city.
By 2012, Preston will have:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
A cleaner city environment with much less litter through the responsible actions of organisations, communities and individuals
Plans and actions implemented at community level to reduce the city’s impact on the causes of climate change
An increased awareness of the need to protect biodiversity and the benefits that a diverse biological environment brings to the city
Removed some of the barriers that impede effective transport within the city
Improved the accessibility of the city centre to the benefit of shoppers and businesses
Improved its air quality and will meet the national air quality objectives
A more environmentally sensitive approach to waste generation, management and disposal
Key Issues for action
•
•
•
•
•
To continue to improve the cleanliness of streets and open spaces in the city.
To progressively address the causes of climate change and adapt to its effects
To tackle biodiversity issues
To improve access to goods, services and amenities via the Lancashire Transport Plan
To continue to increase rates of household recycling and composting
26
Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2007-2012 Strategy
Community
2009-2012
Section
Preston values
its Environment
Delivery of targets
Lancashire Local Area Agreement Targets
NI 186
NI 188
NI 192
NI 195
NI 197
Per capita carbon dioxide emissions in the area
Adapting to climate change
Household waste recycled and composted
Improved street and environmental cleanliness
Improved local biodiversity
(plus other targets in Action Plan).
Linkages between Themes
There are particularly close links with Children and Young People, Health and Wellbeing, Housing,
Prosperous and Safer Preston themes.
27
Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2007-2012 Strategy
Community
2009-2012
Section
Preston values
its Environment
Preston values its Environment
Strategic Objective
1
PSP partners to work with local communities and
neighbourhoods to deliver environmental improvements
High Level Outcomes
1a
Use a targeted approach involving the community to
achieve significant sustained improvements, including
in the associated satisfaction rates, in the cleanliness of
Preston’s streets and green and other open spaces.
1b
To facilitate the delivery in neighbourhoods of the
accessibility planning elements of the Lancashire Transport
Plan.
1c
To achieve the National Air quality objectives for nitrogen
dioxide by 2010, as required by European Legislation.
1d
To raise awareness of biodiversity issues and the Lancashire
Biodiversity Action Plan amongst PSP partners.
1e
To develop plans with our partners and local communities
to progressively address the causes of climate change and
adapt to its effects.
1f
To make a significant Preston contribution to increasing
the Lancashire Waste Strategy target for municipal waste
recycled and/or composted by 2015.
Delivery Agencies Include
Preston City Council (PCC), Lancashire County Council (LCC), Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Environment
Agency, Natural England, Mersey Basin Campaign.
28
Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2007-2012 Strategy
Community
2009-2012
Section
Health and
Wellbeing in
Preston
Background and Starting Point
Preston faces many challenges to the health of its population. Health is complex and is defined by
the World Health Organisation as ‘state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not
merely the absence of disease or infirmity’. So the conditions of health and of wellbeing are linked
to quality of life outcomes and can be described in terms of function (environmental, participation
and social networks/ inclusion) and feeling (physical, mental and social). This definition of health
recognises the importance of prevention, promoting people’s health and independence and
improving the factors that affect our quality of life. These provide the basis for this theme of the
Community Strategy.
To date, well-being has mainly focused on health promotion and meeting public health targets.
This revised Community Strategy continues to follow a wider interpretation of well-being, which
includes action to improve social inclusion and the duty of partners to help develop more sustainable
communities. Wellbeing is a cross cutting theme to which all the PSP Thematic Working Groups will
contribute, with the Health & Wellbeing TWG having a coordinating role on wellbeing on behalf of
the PSP.
Better health and wellbeing can only be achieved by public, voluntary/community/faith and
private sector partners all working together with the people of Preston. Increased effectiveness
of such partnership working will be enhanced by developing an approach that is systematic and
appropriately scaled in its delivery. These concepts will be central to the ongoing work of the Health
& Wellbeing TWG. Only by working together in this way can we develop better quality services,
more effective care and better value for money, with seamless accessibility for all targeted groups.
29
Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2007-2012 Strategy
Community
2009-2012
Section
Health and
Wellbeing in
Preston
Half of the Council wards in Preston include areas which fall within the 20% most deprived areas in
the country with some containing areas falling within the 3% most deprived. There is considerable
variation in health between communities within Preston with higher levels of ill health in the city’s
more disadvantaged areas.
Men can expect to live 75.0 years in Preston and women 79.90 years. Both have seen
improvements, but both remain less than the regional and particularly the national average
(2005-2007). However the gap in life expectancy within the most deprived wards is on average 3.3
years and as such more improvement needs to be seen. Coronary heart disease and cancer are the
main causes of excess deaths of people under the age of 75 in Preston with residents of the most
deprived areas being disproportionately affected. The city’s relatively high incidence of smoking,
poor diet, alcohol consumption and lack of physical activity are all major contributors to these types
of premature deaths. Other areas of health that are of particular concern in Preston include teenage
pregnancy, low birthweight babies and infant mortality.
Some people will require more support than others to achieve good health and wellbeing because
of poverty, age, gender, ethnicity, disability, mental health problems or other reasons. Promoting
healthier lifestyles for key targeted communities and groups, through services that encourage and
support people to adopt healthier lifestyles, are priorities of the Partnership.
The Government’s White Papers ‘Choosing Health, Our Health, Our Care, Our Say’ and also the Local
Government White Paper ‘Strong and Prosperous Communities’ set out challenging programmes
of action to improve health and wellbeing. The main themes of these policy documents and
others have been taken into account during the development of Preston’s strategic objectives and
targets for the Health & Wellbeing theme. Equally the direction more recently provided in Our NHS
Our Future: NHS Next Stage Review and the priorities articulated within NHS Central Lancashire’s
Commissioning Strategic Plan have also been considered throughout the refresh process.
30
Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2007-2012 Strategy
Community
2009-2012
Section
Health and
Wellbeing in
Preston
Main Achievements Since 2007
Smokefree Preston
The PSP is committed to supporting the Smokefree Preston Forum, now developed as an Alliance. This
multi agency group has continued to work to successfully implement tobacco control legislation. The
Alliance will in 2009 be relaunched and will continue to be the vehicle for delivering on partnership
actions, working to systematically upscale activity around the tobacco agenda.
Teenage Pregnancy
Work to reduce the under 18 conception rate has continued, being supported by a rich variety of
agencies. This highly complex area of work has seen limited change in the conception rate. Ownership
of this target, will from April 2009, move to the Local Childrens Trust partnership with the Health &
Wellbeing Thematic Woking Group supporting delivery as required. The focus for 2009 and beyond
will look to take examples of good practice delivered locally and upscale delivery of these. This would
include programmes such as workforce training, best practice sex and relationships education,
the availability of level one sexual health services in venues accessible to young people and better
marketing and communication to young people, their parents and carers. Harnessing the experience
and engagement community, voluntary and faith organisations have with local communities will be
central to achieving this.
Alcohol
The Preston Community Safety Partnership (Safer Preston Partnership) refreshed the Alcohol Harm
Reduction Strategy to ensure that all the alcohol harm reduction initiatives are developed in a
coordinated manner and specifically targeted towards areas of the greatest need and in a way that
complements work on other areas of central Lancashire.
NHS Central Lancashire has led the commissioning of alcohol harm reduction initiatives across
Lancashire with LAA funding (£500,000 invested across Lancashire between 2006/2007 and
2008/2009) bringing significant benefits in the Preston locality. This has included investment in social
marketing aimed at reducing levels of underage drinking as well as town and city centre risky drinking,
alcohol brief intervention training for frontline staff from a range of agencies, licensing research to
identify the contribution licensing can make to alcohol harm reduction and treatment pilots within
criminal justice. NHS Central Lancashire and Lancashire Drug and Alcohol Action Team have also been
working in close partnership to investigate and progress a joint approach to commissioning substance
misuse services through a modernisation process. This work will continue in 2009.
31
Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2007-2012 Strategy
Community
2009-2012
Section
Health and
Wellbeing in
Preston
Obesity
Work aimed at tackling obesity has continued with specific initiatives being delivered for both diet
and nutrition, exercise and physical activity.
For children, programmes such as Mini MEND (mind, exercise, nutrition, Do-it) and a Childrens
Healthy Lifestyle Programme have been delivered, the latter within the school setting in partnership
with Preston North End FC. Through the National and Lancashire Healthy Schools Programme
a plethora of activities have been implemented such as food partnerships training cook and eat
sessions, healthier school meals and healthy food policy. In partnership with Lancashire County
Council a Healthy Early Years Award with a strong focus on healthy eating and physical activity is
currently being developed, implementation of which will be seen through the Local Childrens Trust
Partnership across 2009 and beyond. A weight management pathway is currently being developed
and partnership commitment and engagement will be central to delivery of this, A multiagency
group has been established to oversee the implementation of the National Child Measuring
Programme across central Lancashire which will help focus activity on need and the available
evidence base.
For adults, multi agency partnerships have been a key vehicle for delivery of numerous initiatives
across the City including Exercise Your Options, Preston Seven Parks Walks, Food for Life, Freshstart,
Pharmacy Weight Management and MEND. The healthy weight adult signposting pack and weight
management care pathway was launched in June 2008 to primary care practices and partner agency
staff across Preston
The work of the Sports and Activity Alliance, a SubGroup of the PSP Culture Forum, has contributed
to the provision of opportunities for people to improve their overall health hence to related health
targets. The focus has particularly been on swimming, cycling and walking initiatives. The approach
has ranged from development of sports clubs to increasing opportunities for those not previously
involved in sports or other physical activity to participate. Funding secured in 2008 will support more
initiatives on community cycling, sporting infrastructure, diversionary activities, activities for families
and those with disabilities.
32
Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2007-2012 Strategy
Community
2009-2012
Section
Health and
Wellbeing in
Preston
Our Vision for 2012
A city in which people have the opportunity of living a full, healthy and satisfied life.
By 2012, Preston will have:
•
•
•
•
•
Improved health in terms of people’s physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social wellbeing
Fewer health inequalities based on where people live or other factors
A population involved in creating good health through their own contributions and actions, and able to realise their potential and create more cohesive, supportive, healthier and safer communities.
City-wide agencies and employers who recognise the opportunities that a healthy population offers and play their part, including assessing the impact of plans and decisions in terms of the health of the workforce and the population as a whole.
Developed better support for achieving independence of those in need
Key Issues for action
To reduce inequalities in health by:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Reducing mortality rates from heart disease including a reduction in the inequalities gap between areas with poorer health and deprivation indicators and the population as a whole.
Reducing mortality rates from cancers including a reduction in the inequalities gap between areas with poorer health and deprivation indicators and the population as a whole.
Reducing the rates of suicide and deaths from undetermined causes.
There will be specific action around lifestyle factors to include:
Reducing the levels of smoking and increasing the uptake of smoking cessation services with a particular focus on targeted groups.
Halting the year on year increase in obesity across all population groups aged over 16 through activity focussed on diet and nutrition, exercise and physical activity.
Reducing problematic alcohol use through the implementation (across TWGs) of the Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy.
33
Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2007-2012 Strategy
Community
2009-2012
Section
Health and
Wellbeing in
Preston
Delivery of targets
Lancashire Local Area Agreement Targets
NI 186
NI 188
NI 192
NI 195
NI 197
Per capita carbon dioxide emissions in the area
Adapting to climate change
Household waste recycled and composted
Improved street and environmental cleanliness
Improved local biodiversity
(plus other targets in Action Plan).
Linkages between Themes
There are particularly close links with Children and Young People, Health and Wellbeing, Housing,
Prosperous and Safer Preston themes.
Health and Wellbeing in Preston
Strategic Objective
1
To improve health and enhance wellbeing.
High Level Outcomes
1a
There is an improvement in the number of residents who
are satisfied with access to health services.
1b
There is improvement in supporting people via the
workplace, to engage in healthier lifestyles.
1c
The City of Preston will aim to have the most active
population in the North West with a ‘premier league’
network of quality sports clubs, top class facilities, more
active schools and accessible community opportunities
for physical activity and sport, in order to get more people,
more active, more often’.
34
Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2007-2012 Strategy
Community
2009-2012
Section
Health and
Wellbeing in
Preston
Strategic Objective
2
To reduce health inequalities and to improve the length of
life by supporting healthy lifestyles
High Level Outcomes
2a
Substantially reduce mortality rates from heart disease
and stroke-related diseases in people under 75 including
a significant reduction in the inequalities gap between
the fifth of areas with the worst health and deprivation
indicators and the population as a whole.
2b
Substantially reduce mortality rates from cancers in people
under 75, with a significant reduction in the inequalities
gap between the fifth of areas with the worst health and
deprivation indicators and the population as a whole.
2c
Reduce the rates of suicide and deaths from undetermined
intent [causes] and injuries
2d
To halt the year on year increase in obesity across all
population groups aged over 16.
(obesity under 16 is addressed under Strategic Objective 2
of the Children and Young People theme)
2e
Reduce levels of smoking and increase the uptake of
smoking cessation services with a particular focus on
Neighbourhood Renewal areas.
Delivery Agencies Include
NHS Central Lancashire, Lancashire County Council (LCC), Police, Preston City Council (PCC),
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust , Safer Preston Partnership, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Voluntary
Sector, Groundwork, Sports and Physical Activity Alliance, Alcohol SubGroup, Private Sector,
Lancashire Community Cohesion Partnership, North West Public Health Observatory
35
Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2007-2012 Strategy
Community
2009-2012
Section
Quality Housing
for Preston
Background and Starting Point
The housing agenda is constantly evolving with National Policy and local drivers focussing on
housing delivery, affordable housing, decency, energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.
There have been numerous new national policies, which seek to tackle some of the major issues in
relation to housing and economic growth. Whilst Preston is in a very good position to respond to
these new national policies and prepare for the delivery of new housing in the future we must also
ensure that we address the current issues in our local housing market.
The Preston housing market is influenced by a wide range of factors and there is growing recognition
of the need to adopt an holistic approach to addressing housing needs and issues and to bring
together other factors such as economic development, planning, neighbourhood renewal,
regeneration, transport and leisure. The current recession has highlighted the key role that the
economy and financial markets play in generating “wellbeing” that is crucial to the way that people
make choices over whether to buy or to rent; to move or stay put.
The housing market in Preston has altered dramatically since the production of the second
Community Strategy in 2007. Previously Preston had enjoyed a relatively stable housing market with,
since 2003, significant increases in house prices with the resultant issue of affordability across the
City.
However the credit crunch of 2008 which rapidly turned into the current recession has resulted in
diminishing property transactions (down 63% from 2007), a reduction in property values (down an
average 7.9%) , increased repossessions and negative equity allied to a lack of affordable mortgage
products.
Of the 59,716 homes in Preston, 68% are owner-occupied, 13% are rented from private landlords and
19% are rented from Registered Social Landlords. The Community Gateway Association is the largest
landlord, holding 6000 social rented homes which formerly belonged to Preston City Council before
transfer in November 2005. This Registered Social Landlord (RSL) is now well advanced with an
extensive five-year programme to bring its sub-standard homes above the Decent Homes Standard.
Community Gateway and the other 20 RSL`s operating in Preston are now on track to meet the
Government target of making all social housing decent by 2010.
36
Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2007-2012 Strategy
Community
2009-2012
Section
Quality Housing
for Preston
The extent of non-decent housing in the private sector, and the costs of rectifying it, were
re-assessed through the 2007 Private Sector Stock condition survey. The results of the survey
provided additional information into the geographical spread of non-decency and the link with
vulnerable households to help further refine initiatives providing assistance.
Private Sector housing investment continues in the area of domestic energy efficiency to develop
actions that have the dual benefits of raising vulnerable people out of fuel poverty and at the same
time reducing the emission of harmful greenhouse gases. High proportions of those in fuel poverty
are older people and their health and wellbeing is particularly at risk if they are unable to heat their
homes.
Strategic Housing remains focussed on targeted action to reduce the waste and nuisance caused
by empty homes which, when brought back into use, can provide much needed affordable
housing and help stabilise communities. We recognise the significant contribution made by private
sector partners in meeting the needs and aspirations of a diverse client group and continue to work
with them to improve the overall housing offer.
Lack of suitable and affordable housing is one of the factors impacting on the currently higher
levels of housing stress and homelessness which are being addressed by the Homelessness
Strategy and related Action Plan 2008-2012. Increased use of specialist housing options advice
and a combination of multi agency preventative measures allied to increased provision of suitable
accommodation with support is delivering a package of solutions for those with low and moderate
needs. The longer term requirements of clients with more complex needs are being addressed
separately.
37
Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2007-2012 Strategy
Community
2009-2012
Section
Quality Housing
for Preston
Main Achievements Since 2007
All of the following achievements have been made through the close co-operation of, and provision
of funding from, a wide range of partner organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors
and would not have occurred without that co-operation.
Improving Social Housing
Registered Social Landlords across the City have reported that in the region of 90% of all social rented
properties have been subject to improvements in line with the Decent Homes Standards. These
improvements include replacement kitchens, bathrooms, rewiring, energy efficiency measures and
insulation.
Energy Efficiency
The Energy Grants partnership, established in 2002, between Preston City Council, IQ Energy Services
Ltd (formerly Quality Services Group) and British Gas has provided insulation improvements to
approximately 1500 elderly and vulnerable households per year since 2007 helping to raise them
out of fuel poverty. This partnership was extended to cover heating upgrades in 2007 and since the
introduction approximately 250 households have benefited.
The above activity, together with Central Government Schemes that are operating across Preston,
resulted in savings of over 22,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2007/08.
Adaptations for Disabled People
Strategic Housing policy continues to be focussed to provide more appropriate adaptations more
quickly for disabled residents in all tenures. Preston City Council’s budget in this area has been
considerably increased and the ongoing development of an Independent Living Strategy will take
account of this. Discussions are ongoing with RSL partners regarding the incorporation of a Disability
Housing Register within the Choice Based Lettings (CBL) operated by Select Move.
38
Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2007-2012 Strategy
Community
2009-2012
Section
Quality Housing
for Preston
Housing Improvement Loans
Lancashire Community Finance, formerly known as Preston Moneyline, an independent communitybased loans organisation, began operating from city centre premises in May 2005, as the first
Moneyline to offer housing improvement loans. These loans, which are directed at vulnerable
households who do not have access to mainstream finance, continue to play a major part in helping
the Preston Strategic Partnership to ensure that private housing is brought up to the Decent Homes
Standard. They have recently developed a new interest only loan that will support the 2009 Private
Sector Renewal Plan. Since inception they have assisted more than 700 applicants with housing ,
business or personal loans.
Homelessness
Achievements In the area of Homelessness and Housing Prevention Include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Expansion in floating support and ancillary interventions to help vulnerable households sustain tenancies.
Enhancement of links with Private Landlords and others to ease access to a diverse range of accommodation for our clients.
Additional development and remodelling of supported housing schemes to match local needs.
This includes specific improvements to aid complex need cases, families with additional needs and victims of domestic abuse.
Further expansion of prevention and housing options work to maximise assistance to all clients.
Development of a new Homelessness Strategy for 2008-2012, based upon multi agency partnership working.
Increase in protocols and joint working with statutory agencies within the City and across the Central Lancashire footprint.
Introduction of new consultation methods with the more marginalised homeless and vulnerable groups eg rough sleepers.
Extension of domestic abuse initiatives ie Sanctuary Scheme.
Bringing to fruition new provision for single homeless clients, allied to training and employment opportunities.
39
Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2007-2012 Strategy
Community
2009-2012
Section
Quality Housing
for Preston
Our Vision for 2012
A city where everyone has the opportunity of a decent, secure, affordable home in a safe
neighbourhood.
By 2012, Preston will have:
•
•
•
•
•
•
A confident and secure overall housing market.
Housing that meets the requirements of people with special housing needs, particularly those who are vulnerable and disabled.
Few empty homes.
The least possible amount of homelessness.
Improved safety and health through better housing.
Social housing which meets modern standards.
Key Issues for action
•
•
•
To address the issue of affordable housing in Preston.
To improve the access to housing services for all vulnerable groups, including older people.
To continue to increase the number of properties in Preston meeting Decent Homes Standards and improve the energy efficiency of the City’s homes.
Delivery of targets
Lancashire Local Area Agreement Targets
NI 155 Number of affordable homes delivered
NI 156 Number of households living in temporary accommodation
NI 187 Tackling fuel poverty
(plus other targets in Action Plan).
Linkages between Themes
There are particularly close links with the Health & Wellbeing, Older Peoples and Safer themes.
40
Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2007-2012 Strategy
Community
2009-2012
Section
Quality Housing
for Preston
Quality Housing for Preston
Strategic Objective
1
To intervene in local housing markets to match supply
to demand, to provide sufficient affordable homes in
good condition and create and maintain sustainable
neighbourhoods.
High Level Outcomes
1a
To increase the supply of affordable (social rented, low
cost home ownership, shared ownership and intermediate
rented) housing so that key workers, new households and
those on low incomes have appropriate access to housing
to meet their needs.
1b
Intervene to reduce problems arising from empty homes
and take a range of actions to ensure that the proportion of
vacant housing is kept within the national average.
1c
All social housing meets the Government’s Decent Homes
Standard by 2010.
1d
To increase the percentage of private sector houses
meeting the Decent Homes Standard to 90% and the
percentage of vulnerable households in decent homes
to 75% with action concentrated in the most deprived
neighbourhoods.
41
Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2007-2012 Strategy
Community
2009-2012
Section
Quality Housing
for Preston
Strategic Objective
2
To identify and meet the accommodation requirements
and specific housing support and care needs of vulnerable
groups and individuals.
High Level Outcomes
2a
Increasing advice to the wider community to prevent
homelessness and maintain tenancies.
2b
Increase the proportion of supported accommodation by
15% (2006 baseline).
2c
To ensure that the provision of adaptations for disabled
people matches the level of demand across all housing
sectors.
Delivery Agencies Include
Preston City Council (PCC), Lancashire County Council (LCC), NHS Central Lancashire, South Ribble
BC, Chorley BC, Registered Social Landlords (RSL’s), Voluntary Sector, Housing Market Partnership
Board, Landlords Forum, Lancashire Community Finance, Homeless Forum, Preston Women’s Refuge,
Foxton Centre, Social Progress Umbrella Group.
42
Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2007-2012 Strategy
Community
2009-2012
Section
Older People
in Preston
Background and Starting Point
In line with national trends, Preston has an increasing number of older people living longer whose
specific needs need to be addressed. Between 2005 and 2020 the population over 50 in Preston is
forecast to increase by almost 18%. This will bring challenges in enabling people to access services
and implications for provision of a variety of health and related services. Other issues relate to
enabling people to participate in society as fully as possible which has implications for some in
assisting them claiming benefits or obtaining employment.
During 2007 Partnership Boards for Older People were established to cover the 12 districts of
Lancashire to act as the forum for the co-ordination and promotion of older people’s issues and
services in each locality. The Board in Preston represents the close and positive relationships
between the County Council, City Council, NHS Central Lancashire, Lancashire Fire and Rescue,
Lancashire Teaching Hospital, a range of Voluntary Agencies providing support services for older
people and several older adult representatives of Community Groups. In support of the board and
recognising the potential issues facing older people identified in the PSP Quality of Life survey, the
Preston Strategic Partnership awarded funding to the Board to support its development.
The board undertakes its work in the context of a number of national policies and local and regional
strategies including:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The National Service Framework for Older People
The Lancashire Strategy for an Ageing Population
The National Dementia Strategy
The Public Health White Paper – Choosing Health
The Green Paper on Adult Social Care – Independence Well-being and Choice
The National Strategy on Ageing - Opportunity Age
The North West Framework on Ageing - Everybody’s Future
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Older People
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The Board is now well established with representation from each of the statutory bodies, Age
Concern Preston and South Ribble, the Alzheimer’s Society, Central Lancashire Branch, The Carers
Centre, Preston Community Network, Preston Older People’s Forum, University of the Third Age, the
Gujerat Muslim Welfare Society and Ashdale Community Association.
In 2008 the Board was formally adopted as a Thematic Group of the Strategic Partnership with the
following aims and objectives:
•
•
•
•
•
•
To provide the forum for the lead statutory agencies, non statutory agencies and older adult representing community groups to support planning, service development and partnership working on behalf of older adults in Preston.
To establish an agreed “Preston Vision for Living in Later Life”.
To take the lead on all matters relating to the Strategic Partnership relating to older people.
To influence and scrutinise the implementation of local plans for older people.
To champion service improvements for older people and their carers and ensure the cultural diversity of the area is represented.
To encourage and monitor the development of local projects that benefit older adults including the allocation of grant aid if funding is available.
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Main Achievements Since 2007
Since its inception the Board has undertaken the following activities
Taken responsibility for the allocation and monitoring of funding from Lancashire County Councils
Local Public Service Agreement Reward Monies through a grants programme. The funds in total
amounted to £144k over two years.
Projects which have received funding include:
•
•
•
•
A “healthy homes project” provided by Preston Care and Repair,
A Caring Café scheme for those with a diagnosis of dementia provided by the Alzheimer’s Society and Age Concern Central Lancashire,
A Preston DISC (Disability Information Services Centre) project to reach out to older adults with significant physical disability, funding for a community based independent luncheon club within the Black and Minority Ethnic Community,
And one year funding for a grandparenting group and carers project
A robust audit process has also been established to measure and report upon the progress of funded projects
Development of a Generic Social Exclusion Proofing Tool
One of the initiatives aimed at improving this corporate sense of responsibility for older adults has
been the development of an “age proofing tool” for use by those whose actions do impact upon
older adults for example the other Thematic Groups within the Strategic Partnership. The Board
chose to develop a generic “social exclusion proofing tool” because it believed it would be more
acceptable to others if it were seen not to favour just one section of the community and because it
reflected an efficient way of addressing a number of responsibilities more easily. This has now been
adopted across all Thematic Working Groups within the Strategic Partnership.
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Community
2009-2012
Section
Older People
in Preston
Dementia Sub Group Development
In an early exercise the Partnership Board set out its priorities for service development and identified
the subject area of dementia as a priority. A small sub-group has now been set up with Board and
co-opted members from across health and social care as well as those who have cared for family
members with dementia. The group is currently in the process of undertaking a mapping exercise
to identify the services that currently exist with a view to establish gaps in services and to develop
an agreed pathway for dementia across the different services in Preston. This is in line with the new
National Dementia Strategy published in January 2009 which the Group is also well placed to review
and consider in relation to local planning of services.
Celebrating National Older People’s Day
The Partnership Board organised a successful event to celebrate National Older People’s Day on
the 1st of October 2008. The event was enhanced and supported by funding through NHS Central
Lancashire to fund a large Marquee. The networks and contacts developed by the Board enabled
over 20 information points to be accommodated within the Marquee and for the additional presence
of the Citizenzone vehicle and a mobile fire station to be in attendance. The event itself attracted
over 800 visitors and received a great deal of publicity effectively reaching many thousands of people
across Preston.
In response to the need to develop key objectives, targets and actions for inclusion in the Sustainable
Community Strategy Action Plan for 2009 – 2012 the Board hosted an “Experience Matters”
conference. Attended by over 100 older people from across Preston’s diverse communities the event
considered the priorities for Preston’s older adults and the linkages with the Local Area Agreement
targets. The outcome of the event has informed the detail outlined below.
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Community
2009-2012
Section
Older People
in Preston
Our Vision for 2012
Preston: a city which reflects the aspirations and expectations of older adults
To achieve this we will clearly need to identify fully those aspirations and expectations and also
influence the development of services in response. As our population ages Preston needs to
recognise the changing demographics, to consider the transitions between work and retirement, the
importance of older people in the workforce and the need to reduce health inequalities and enable
everyone to live in good health.
At the same time the board will be considering the potential impact of the “personalisation” and
“individual budgets” agenda and the needs of the community to move out of recession.
By 2012, Preston will have:
• Increased awareness by organisations of the needs of older people
• Improved well being of older people
• Better support for older people to live independently
Key Issues for action
•
•
•
•
•
•
To focus work on supporting the implementation of the National Dementia Strategy.
To tackle issues relating to older people’s health and wellbeing.
To improve the information provided on services for older people.
To consider and influence alternatives to hospital care.
To improve access to and awareness of local health services for older adults.
To reduce social isolation amongst adults aged 55 and over.
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Delivery of targets
Lancashire Local Area Agreement Targets
NI 49 NI 135
NI 137
NI 139
NI 142
Primary Fire casualties and fatalities
Carers receiving assessment or review and a specific carer’s service, or advice and information
Healthy Life Expectancy at 65
The extent to which people over 65 receive the support they need to live independently
Percentage of vulnerable people supported to maintain independent living
(plus other targets in Action Plan).
Linkages between Themes
There are particularly close linkages with the Health and Wellbeing, Housing and Culture themes. Also in
the current economic climate there are also particular areas of linkage with the Prosperous Preston theme
Older People in Preston
Strategic Objective
1
To improve awareness of and access to local health services
by adults 55 and over.
High Level Outcomes
1a
To promote outreach services through local facilities and
develop a range of initiatives to maximise awareness of and
access to local health services.
1b
To improve the range of support available to those with
dementia type illnesses.
Strategic Objective
2
To reduce social isolation amongst adults 55 and over.
High Level Outcomes
2a
To support older people to maintain good physical and
mental wellbeing and to remain independent.
2b
To increase the support available to vulnerable people to
help them maintain independent living.
Delivery Agencies Include
Lancashire County Council (LCC), NHS Central Lancashire, Preston City Council (PCC),Voluntary
Sector, Lancashire Care Trust, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust, Lancashire Fire and Rescue.
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People and
Communities
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Background and Starting Point
In 2006 the Commission for Integration and Cohesion was established to consider how local areas
can make the most of the benefits that increasing diversity can bring.
The Commission’s report ‘Our Shared Future’ established the current context, recognising that Britain
has experienced significant social change for centuries, and has dealt with that through a culture of
openness and tolerance. The commission found that the majority of people in Britain see its diversity
as a strength and that people of different backgrounds get on well in their area, but the significance
and pace of change since WWII has presented new challenges
The place-shaping agenda for local authorities, as defined in the Local Government White Paper,
includes the need to celebrate diversity and develop integration and cohesion. Community
cohesion is defined as recognising the impact of change and responding to it. This is a fundamental
and growing part of the place-shaping agenda, putting local authorities and their partners at the
heart of community building.
In April 2008 the PSP Community Cohesion Steering Group (Task Group) added to its existing
community cohesion remit by taking on the community learning elements from the Learning TWG
to form the People and Communities TWG. Preston’s approach to community cohesion goes beyond
the concept of race equality and social inclusion; it includes faith, disability, gender, sexuality and age
related issues, irrespective of where people live.
Preston has a good community cohesion record. Preston has a fairly diverse population, with 26%
being from Asian and other non-white ethnicities. Partners are committed to maintaining and
strengthening relations between the diverse communities which make up the City and there is real
enthusiasm to grasp the opportunity presented by Preston Guild in 2012 to bring communities
together to celebrate this event.
The TWG has also given its support to the City’s Twinning Committee which will be holding a
transnational conference in Summer 2009 to raise awareness of issues such as migration and identify
and share appropriate solutions.
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Main Achievements Since 2007
The People & Communities TWG (established in spring 2008) is committed to eliminating all forms of
discrimination and prejudice and to promote good community cohesion practice.
A key priority therefore was to develop an information pack for existing residents and newly
arrived migrants to the City. This was achieved in early 2009 when a comprehensive guide (Preston
Information Pack) was produced.
The TWG has also supported the Citizenzone vehicle in providing access to services to the more
vulnerable residents of the City.
In August 2008 the TWG agreed to move to a workshop style for meetings to facilitate sharing of
good practice amongst the partnership.
Workshops discussions have included the following issues :•
•
•
•
Faith
Poverty & Debt
Issues facing people affected by substance use
and those living with and affected by HIV
Presentation from International Organisation for Migration
Future workshops will explore issues such as
•
•
•
•
Domestic violence
Voluntary & Community Sector Capacity and Skills
Neighbourhood Management
Homelessness
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Black and Minority Ethnic Forum
In 2008 a sub group of the TWG was formed to develop a Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Working
Group. It was recognised that there are presently a number of voluntary and community groups
targeting BME young people in Preston which are delivering a diverse range of activities however
there has been little or no strategic direction to identify opportunities or development or a dedicated
forum to raise youth issues. There have been several meetings since 2008 and a database of over
sixty groups providing services to BME youth has now been created.
Invitations were sent to these groups to create the BME Forum which had its inaugural meeting
on 14th March 2009. An BME Forum Action Plan is now being developed – the key actions of
which include developing training opportunities, encouraging peer support and celebrating the
achievements of the groups.
This initiative was included in a recent submission to the North West Employers Organisation Equality
Awards. The submission was entitled ‘social inclusion through sport‘ and included Preston City
Council’s Streetwise Soccer and Disability in Sports initiatives. It has now been confirmed that this
work has been recognised at a regional and national level as good practice and will receive an award
from both NWEO and the Children’s Workforce Development organisation.
Building on the ‘One Voice’ neighbourhood management scheme and adopting different
approaches across the City for neighbourhood arrangements, which is still in progress, is contributing
to community engagement and im proving community cohesion.
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2009-2012
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in Preston
Our Vision for 2012
A city where diversity is positively valued and celebrated
By 2012, Preston will have:
• Enhanced cohesion between communities
• Public celebrations that are actively participative, inclusive and diverse
• Increased participation of the community in public meetings
• Neighbourhood Management/Working in all areas of Preston
• More people volunteering to benefit community
• A further developed Third (ie Voluntary, Community and Faith) Sector
Key Issues for action
• To increase community cohesion.
• To further develop community engagement.
• To facilitate more opportunities for people to contribute to the wellbeing of the community.
Delivery of targets
Lancashire Local Area Agreement Targets
NI 1Percentage of people who believe people from different backgrounds get on well together in
their area
NI 4Percentage of people who feel they can influence decisions in their locality
NI 6Participation in regular volunteering
NI 7Environment for a thriving third sector
NI 35 Preventing violent extremism
(plus other targets in Action Plan).
Linkages between Themes
There are particularly close links with the Children and Young People, Culture, Older People and Safer
Preston themes, with links also to the other themes.
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People and Communities in Preston
Strategic Objective
1
To enable communities and individuals to influence the
development of policies and strategies that affect their
lives, and to inform the way in which services in the city are
planned and delivered.
High Level Outcomes
1a
Increase the percentage of people who believe people from
different backgrounds get on well together in their area.
1b
Increase the percentage of people in Preston who feel they
can influence decisions in their locality.
Strategic Objective
2
Provide more structured opportunities for people to
volunteer their time and contribute to the wellbeing of the
community.
High Level Outcomes
2a
Monitor and increase participation in regular volunteering.
2b
Encourage the correct environment for a thriving third
sector.
Delivery Agencies Include
Preston City Council (PCC), Lancashire County Council (LCC), Police, NHS Central Lancashire,
Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector, All other PSP Partners
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2009-2012
Section
Prosperous
Preston
Background and Starting Point
Preston, England’s newest city, is one of the three key growth poles in the North West. It is at the
heart of the Central Lancashire city-region, well-served by excellent transport links including a
principal railway station on the West Coast main line and good access to a comprehensive motorway
network. Preston is the commercial and administrative centre of Lancashire with many public, private
and voluntary organisations choosing the city as the base for their sub-regional headquarters.
Preston’s locational advantages have helped it to adapt and diversify its employment structure
from a traditional predominantly manufacturing base in textile and engineering to a major centre
for financial and administrative services. Its economic growth matches the national profile and far
exceeds the Lancashire and North West averages.
For Preston to further enhance its prosperity, it will have to continue to adapt to a changing
economy. This means that it is essential for the City to build on its existing attributes, encourage the
growth of entrepreneurship and employment and promote a strong, distinctive marketable identity
to attract inward investment and visitors. In doing so, it will be important to maintain and build on
its quality of life assets as a ‘micro city’ demonstrating the benefits of city living without many of the
disbenefits, which stem from urban sprawl. In this way, the economic competitiveness agenda can
contribute to the wider ‘well-being’ of individual residents, workers and their communities.
Grosvenor Estates and Lend Lease, acting in partnership with Preston City Council, have submitted a
planning application to invest some £ 750 million in regenerating the area to the east of Preston City
Centre with a new department store, hotels, leisure facilities, a revitalised market and new shop units.
The John Lewis Partnership and Marks and Spencer have demonstrated their confidence in Preston’s
potential by signing up to be the two key anchor stores. It is anticipated that the development, once
completed (est. 2014) will provide a catalyst for other significant developments in and around the
City, including a new Central Business District and other developments linked to the City’s extensive
water assets. New developments will bring new jobs, but for Preston to enjoy the full benefits of
the extra prosperity that Tithebarn and other proposed large-scale infrastructure improvements
will bring, it needs to improve the skills of its resident workforce and maximise the involvement and
contribution of all sections of the community and other stakeholders in Preston.
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Prosperous
Preston
Preston is home to the University of Central Lancashire - one of the UK’s fastest-growing universities
currently with 35,000 students. Harnessing the full benefits of the University, including the retention
of skilled graduates to boost the City’s knowledge pool and creative businesses sector is important to
enable the continuing diversification and growth of Preston’s economy and prosperity as a whole.
A variety of plans form the basis of this theme of the Community Strategy, particularly the City
Council’s Economic Regeneration Strategy, the Central Lancashire City-Regional Development Plan,
the Lancashire Economic Strategy, the “Core City” Strategy and Local Development Framework
(shared with the adjacent boroughs of South Ribble and Chorley, who with Preston form a single
Functional Economic Area (FEA) and the Preston Creative Industries Plan . It also draws on a
significant body of independent research, including that by Dr Paul Hildreth, Economic Advisor to the
DCLG, which identified Preston as an emerging Regional Services Centre, unique in Lancashire, which
provides the evidence base for its direction and priorities.
The Prosperous Preston theme of the Community Strategy identifies clear responsibilities that have
been agreed with key individuals and organisations, including representatives of central and local
government agencies, the voluntary and community sector and Preston’s business community. It
addresses the key areas where partners working together in a co-ordinated way can enhance what
is already being achieved via existing strategies. Responsibility for the training and skills agenda rests
primarily with this theme following transfer of some responsibilities on this from the former
Learning TWG.
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2007-2012
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2009-2012
Section
Prosperous
Preston
Main Achievements Since 2007
Preston: A Regional Growth Pole
Preston’s role as the key economic growth pole of Lancashire has been recognised through
independent evidence collated by School of Urban Studies at Salford University for DCLG. This
underlines similar work previously undertaken by Manchester University for central government,
and by GVA Grimley, KPMG and Cambridge Econometrics for Preston City Council, the Central
Lancashire City-Region and the Lancashire Economic Partnership respectively. Preston’s economic
and employment growth trends continue to mirror the national average and exceed the Lancashire
and NW averages. The Northern Way Secretariat has recently funded some additional research on
how to improve connectivity within the city-region, which should assist with linking Preston’s role as
an economic driver more widely across Lancashire. Recent research by Paul Hildreth for DCLG has
underlined Preston’s unique role in Lancashire as a “regional service centre” compared with the other
“ex-industrial” urban centres.
Employment
Preston’s employment continues to rise, with net inward travel to Preston each day being around 5
times of the next largest inflow in Lancashire. New businesses, such as Car Phone warehouse (see
above) continue to locate in Preston. Existing businesses continue to expand – Homeserve are
growing their staff by more than 400 from the existing level of 850. And James Hall & Co, who supply
Spar shops across the NW have undertaken a £30 m re-location to Bluebell Way, Fulwood. The City
has also been successful in reducing by half the difference between the Preston unemployment
average and that of the most deprived wards.
The Preston Employment Partnership Project has been helping unemployed people to find a job by
giving them job seeking skills such as writing CVs, improving interview techniques and completing
application forms. Some progress is being made increasing skills levels with an increase of 5%
above Great Britain and North West averages for the number of people of working age population
qualifying to NVQ3.
While the credit crunch has posed challenges, research by GVA Grimley for the NWDA has shown that
Preston is better placed to weather the recession than most other parts of the North West. Business
confidence remains robust, as evidenced by a MORI survey in winter 2008 and the establishment of
a new Business Improvement District (BID) led by the business community, covering the city centre
area.
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Prosperous
Preston
“The New Economy”
Preston has restructured more successfully than the rest of Lancashire away from a reliance on
traditional manufacturing. Pockets of high value added manufacturing, such as optical engineering
and aerospace do remain, and these sectors have been boosted by agreement on the Aerospace
Innovation Centre and then by proposals to extensively develop British Aerospace’s Salmesbury
site. In recognition of the pioneering work going on in the Creative Industries and ICT/New Media
sectors, and UCLan’s role in driving much of this growth Preston was identified in the Regional Spatial
Strategy as a key “Knowledge Nucleus”. The opening of the Preston Art & Design (PAD) Centre – now
located in the historic old Post Office Building on the Flag Market - provides display, gallery and retail
space for the expanding Creative Industries Centre and serves as a practical example of this. Plans
to develop further incubation and knowledge transfer activities in the area are being developed
at present. Complementing these initiatives, UCLan has recently opened the multi-million pound
Media Factory buildings to provide incubation space and support to budding entrepreneurs.
Our Vision for 2012
One of the top three cities in the North West, with high levels of employment and enterprise, where
businesses prosper and people aspire to live, work and visit
By 2012, Preston will have:
• Become an economically competitive city of European stature, at the heart of a successful city-
region, with
• An economically active population contributing to, and sharing in, the city’s prosperity.
• Prosperity which reaches the poorer areas of the city, breaking the cycle of deprivation.
• Excellent training, educational and employment opportunities for all citizens, especially the young.
• Increased support and facilities for the disadvantaged.
• Jobs that offer good remuneration and conditions of service.
• Significantly improved local transport.
• More prosperity and jobs based on manufacturing, the service sectors, the new economy and administration.
• Closer and more productive links between business and education.
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Key Issues for action
•
•
•
•
To build Preston’s role as an economically competitive city of European stature, at the heart of a thriving city-region.
To implement key development and infrastructure projects required to deliver on this vision. eg Tithebarn, Riverworks and Central Business District etc.
To develop Preston as a growth centre for enterprise and the Knowledge Economy, utilising the contribution of its University and college, increasing graduate retention and creating more jobs.
To increase employment rates, especially in deprived areas and amongst disadvantaged groups.
Delivery of targets
Lancashire Local Area Agreement Targets
NI 117 NI 152 NI 153 NI 163 NI 165 NI 166 NI 171 16 to 18 year old not in employment, education or training (NEET)
Working age people on out of work benefits
Working age people claiming benefits in the worst performing neighbourhoods
Working Age population qualified to at least Level 2 or higher
Working age population qualified to at least Level 4 or higher
Average earnings of employees in the area
VAT registration rate
(plus other targets in Action Plan).
Linkages between Themes
There are particularly close links with the Children and Young People, Culture, Older People and Safer
Preston themes, with links also to the other themes.
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2009-2012
Section
Prosperous
Preston
Prosperous Preston
Strategic Objective
1
To secure investment and delivery of key infrastructure
projects as a catalyst for growth and prosperity for all .
High Level Outcomes
1a
Secure the delivery of key development projects, as outlined
in the Preston Economic Regeneration Strategy (ERS) and
Prioritised Action Plan (PAP) by 2012 – including Tithebarn,
other retail developments, Riverworks, Preston Partnering
Scheme and Central Business District projects.
Strategic Objective
2
Increase economic and employment growth,
competitiveness, enterprise and employment
opportunities.
High Level Outcomes
2a
Increase the proportion of jobs in the knowledge economy
in Preston from 40.4% (2006) to at least 50% by 2012
(NOMIS figures)
2b
(i) Increase the achievement of level 3 vocational
qualifications to 5% above national benchmark targets.
(ii) Increase the achievement of apprenticeships to 5%
above the Minimum Levels of Performance (MLP).
Capture the economic impact of the University.
2c
Capture the economic impact of the University.
2d
Grow the number of jobs in Preston by 5% from the
2006/07 base by 2012
2e
Increase the number of workless residents who move from
benefit and into work.
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Preston
2f
Increase number of new VAT registered businesses and
sustained for one year by 5% from 2006/07 baseline by
2012.
2g
Improve skills levels across the board to meet the need of
Preston employers (measured against: no. of adults gaining
basic skills qualifications; no. with NVQ Levels 2 and 3).
(NOMIS figures)
2h
Increase the number of 16-18 year olds pursuing further
education or work-based learning increased by 5%.
Delivery Agencies Include
Preston City Council (PCC), Preston Vision Ltd, Grosvenor, Lend Lease, University of Central Lancashire
(UCLan), Preston College, Cardinal Newman College, Business Link, JobCentrePlus, NWDA, Private
Sector, Learning & Skills Council (& its successor).
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2009-2012
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A Safer Preston
Background and Starting Point
In 2008/2009 crime in Preston fell by 13.5%, including significant reductions in Criminal Damage,
Violent Crime and Burglary, but whilst statistically, most people are unlikely to be victims of crime, the
fear of crime remains disproportionately high. The more visible crime types reinforce these fears and
leave some people with the perception that crime is more prevalent than it is and the feeling that the
individuals who commit crime do not face justice. The aim is to reduce crimes to even lower levels
than currently experienced and reinforce the messages of safety and security to the communities of
Preston; reducing both their experiences and their fear of crime by combining the resources of the
relevant agencies to deliver a cohesive plan that achieves maximum results.
The Strategic Assessment (2009) has been produced to provide the Preston Community Safety
Partnership (Safer Preston Partnership) with an assessment of current, emerging and potential issues
affecting the levels and community concerns about crime and disorder in the area. The purpose
of the assessment is to provide the Community Safety Partnership with a summary of key threats/
issues that Preston may face over the next 18 months. A ‘priorities matrix’ was used to identify
the upcoming priorities for the District. Under four broad headings a list of identified problems
were put forward and summarised within the matrix; crime and disorder, substance misuse, antisocial behaviour and quality of life. Evidence was gathered in relation to; the scale relative to other
problems, the scale relative to other areas, direction of travel, level of harm, community concerns and
local and/or national strategies/targets. These problems were then scored, resulting in the districts
top priorities.
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A Safer Preston
The identified priorities are:
• Gun Crime
• Reduce Adult Re-Offending
• Problematic Substance Misuse – Alcohol
• Domestic Abuse
• Sex Workers
• Youth Related Issues:
- Prolific and Priority Offenders – Young People
- Gang Related Crime
- Anti-Social Behaviour
- Problematic Substance Misuse - Alcohol
The work of Preston Community Safety Partnership will focus on these priorities and will endeavour
to complement the day to day delivery of individual agencies, adding value through information
exchange, improved efficiencies and collaborative operations to prevent and reduce crime, deter and
rehabilitate offenders and increase public confidence and satisfaction by addressing those issues that
matter to the communities of Preston most.
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Preston
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2007-2012
Community Strategy
2009-2012
Section
A Safer Preston
Main Achievements Since 2007
Since 2007 there have been significant reductions in Crime and Disorder across Preston as a result of
many Community Safety Partnership Activities and Initiatives.
Serious Acquisitive Crime
Serious Acquisitive Crime has been reduced in Preston by 24%; this includes reductions in Burglary
(12%), Robbery (28%), and Vehicle Crime (26%).
Burglary Rates
The numbers of Burglaries are so low that Preston has been recognised in a recent survey by
Endsleigh Insurance (2009) as the safest place to live in Britain. These reductions have been
achieved by joint education campaigns including Crime Prevention inputs to new UCLan Students,
Neighbourhood Management poster campaigns and leaflet drops and Lancashire Fire and Rescue
Vulnerable Household Visits and through target hardening measures such as Secured by Design
Planning Principles applied following surveys and site visits and Care and Repair Services.
Vehicle Crime
A massive reduction has been achieved through crime prevention education and in excess of 6,000
Vulnerable Vehicle letters have been sent to people whose vehicles have been found insecure or
with property on show. There have also been campaigns run in conjunction with the Private Sector
to raise awareness around particularly vulnerable property within motor vehicles including
Satellite Navigation Systems. There have also been significant efforts to target offenders, using ‘Rat
Trap’ Vehicles and property fitted with tracking devices to identify the handlers of stolen goods,
who once convicted are monitored by the Multi Agency Offender Management Unit through which
rehabilitation options are offered or further offending behaviour is quickly identified and dealt with.
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A Safer Preston
Violent Crime
Violent Crime has been reduced by 18% overall, over the last two years. This follows the targeting
of violent offenders, particularly those committing Domestic Violence, making use of specialist
courts and advocates to increase conviction rates, targeted activity in Hot Spot Areas to prevent
violence occurring (particularly in relation to the Night Time Economy), using joint agency visits
and enforcement against licensed premises that do not uphold the standard expected and the
introduction of a ‘Respect Our City - Code of Conduct’ for Preston which identifies unacceptable
behaviour and promotes early intervention.
Anti-Social Behaviour
The number of calls to Police relating to Anti Social Behaviour fell by 8% in 2008 / 2009 compared
to the previous year. This has been achieved thanks to the partnership working between
Neighbourhood Policing Teams, the Prevent and Deter group, and the Community Safety
Partnership Anti Social Behaviour team who between them have secured over 48 ASBOs and ASBIs
(Anti Social Behaviour Orders/Injunctions) against serious and persistent perpetrators of anti-social
behaviour and criminal behaviour. In addition to these enforcement measures the Partnership has
also been active in the support of diversionary activity including Streetwise Soccer, Youth Inclusion
Programme, Group Intervention Panel and Brookfield Space Place. The Partnership has also run
in excess of 22 Staysafe Operations resulting in more than 150 children and young people being
spoken to at a place of safety and their parents contacted about the risks they face being in the
situations in which they were found.
Criminal Damage
A 30% reduction in Criminal Damage has been achieved over the last two years. Focus on early
intervention and dealing with youths who cause anti social behaviour has led to the creation of a
‘Tagging Database’ that allows graffiti to be linked to particular groups or individuals. Neighbourhood
Environment Action Teams deployed in the area means that graffiti is quickly removed and does not
set a precedent that will be added to. There have been advertising campaigns to raise awareness
about the consequences of committing criminal acts of damage and there have also been advisory
sessions delivered in schools to advise children and young people about how to be more
considerate citizens and recognise the impact of their actions. Restorative Justice has also been
introduced which aims to ensure that those committing offences such as criminal damage
recognise the true impact of their actions and carry out some reparatory act.
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Community
2009-2012
Section
A Safer Preston
Our Vision for 2012
A safer city with lower levels of crime and disorder and a reduced fear of crime.
By 2012, Preston will have:
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Comparatively low levels of crime.
A peaceful and harmonious mix of diverse communities who enjoy low levels of anti-social behaviour and disorder.
Vulnerable members of the community who are confident they will be supported if they suffer hate crime, or victimisation from crime and anti-social behaviour, including domestic violence.
Robust support for people at risk from drug and alcohol misuse and the problems they bring to the wider community.
Strong partnerships between its diverse communities and organisations providing local services, promoting community well-being by tackling crime and disorder and the fear of crime.
Extensive licensing activity in support of a ‘smoke-free’ Preston and the multi agency Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy.
Community cohesion.
An environment that not only is safe, but looks and feels safe through design, layout and upkeep of public spaces and an effective, visible and reassuring presence of order and authority.
Dedicated Neighbourhood Policing Teams with a responsibility for neighbourhoods, providing reassurance.
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Community
2009-2012
Section
A Safer Preston
Key Issues for action
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To ensure that Gun Crime does not escalate in Preston and that potential offenders are targeted to ensure that discharges are kept to a minimum.
To target Prolific and Priority Offenders and reduce their re-offending rate by improving the Offender Management Unit and increasing its capacity.
To ensure that there is a co-ordinated approach to Alcohol Harm Reduction (in particular Violent Crime).
To maintain a focus on Domestic Abuse – targeting offenders, providing support for victims and reducing repeat calls.
To provide support for Sex Workers to seek assistance with issues (particularly substance misuse) and provide enforcement in areas where problems are reported.
To provide effective diversionary activities that meet the needs identified by Young People.
Run Operation Stay Safe to locate and assist vulnerable Young People and their parents.
To continue to reduce Serious Acquisitive Crime.
To seek to reduce the fear of crime in Preston
Delivery of targets
Lancashire Local Area Agreement Targets
NI 16 Serious acquisitive crime rate
NI 20 Assault with less serious injury crime rate
NI 29 Gun crime rate (local indicator)
NI 30 Re-offending rate of prolific and priority offenders
NI 32 Repeat incidents of domestic violence (local indicator)
NI 35 Preventing Violent Extremism
NI 39 Alcohol-harm related hospital admission rates
NI 40 Drug Users in effective treatment
NI 47 Number killed and seriously injured in Road Traffic collisions – Adult and Child
NI 49 Number of primary fires and related fatalities and non-fatal casualties
NI 195 Street and Environmental Cleanliness
(plus other targets in Action Plan).
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Community
2009-2012
Section
A Safer Preston
Linkages between Themes
There are particularly close links with the Children and Young People, Environment, Health and
Wellbeing and People and Communities themes
A Safer Preston
Strategic Objective
1
To reduce the number of violent crimes
High Level Outcomes
1a
To reduce the number of Violent Crimes in Preston
Strategic Objective
2
To reduce re-offending rate of prolific and priority offenders
and ensure early intervention (particularly with children
and young people) to prevent the escalation of antisocial
behaviour or criminal activity.
High Level Outcomes
2a
To reduce the re-offending rate of Prolific and Priority
Offenders.
2b
To ensure early intervention (particularly with children
and young people) to prevent the escalation of antisocial
behaviour or criminal activity.
Delivery Agencies Include
Safer Preston Partnership (Preston CDRP), Preston City Council (PCC), Police, Lancashire County
Council (LCC), NHS Central Lancashire, North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce,
Preston Women’s Refuge, Voluntary Sector, Lancashire Fire and Rescue, Probation Service, University
of Central Lancashire (UCLan), Group Intervention Panel, Community Gateway Association,
Registered Social Landlords, Youth Offending Team, Lancashire Drug and Alcohol Action Team,
Lancashire Road Safety Partnership, Schools, Churches.
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Section
Appendix
The KEY documents providing the context and framework for the
Preston Sustainable Community Strategy
Government
Green Paper on Adult Social Care – Independence, Wellbeing and Choice
White Paper - Strong and Prosperous Communities
White Paper – Choosing Health - Our Health, Our Care, Our Say
Every Child Matters & Childrens Act
National Dementia Strategy
National Service Framework for Older People
National Strategy on Ageing – Opportunity Age
Sub National Review of Economic Development & Regeneration
Taking Part Counts – the contribution of art, culture and sport to national outcomes (LGA/IDEA)
Our NHS Our Future: NHS Next Stage Review
Our Shared Future: the report of the Commission on Integration and Cohesion
North West Region
Regional Cultural Strategy
Regional Economic Strategy
Regional Events Strategy
Regional Spatial Strategy
Regional Housing Strategy
Climate Change Action Plan for the North West
North West Framework on Ageing – Everybody’s Future
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Section
Lancashire
Ambition Lancashire (2008)
Lancashire Local Area Agreement (2008 - 2011)
Aim Higher 14-19 Strategy for Learning
Children and Young Peoples Plan for Lancashire
Every Child Matters – Programme for Change in Lancashire
Lancashire Biodiversity Action Plan
Lancashire Climate Change Strategy
Lancashire County Council Corporate Plan
Lancashire Cultural Strategy
Lancashire Domestic Violence Strategy
Lancashire Drug and Alcohol Team Strategy
Lancashire Economic Strategy
Lancashire Local Transport Plan
Lancashire Policing Plan
Lancashire Skills Strategy
Lancashire Strategy for an Ageing Population
Lancashire Teenage Pregnancy Strategy
Lancashire Waste Management Strategy
Supporting People Strategy
Central Lancashire
Central Lancashire City Region Development Plan
Central Lancashire Local Delivery Framework
NHS Central Lancashire Commissioning Strategic Plan
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Section
Preston
Preston Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy
Preston Arts Development Strategy
Preston City Council Corporate Plan
Preston Community Safety Strategic Assessment
Preston Creative Industries Plan
Preston Cultural Strategy
Preston Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership Community Safety Strategy
Preston Economic Regeneration Strategy and Prioritised Action Plan
Preston Events Strategy
Preston Homelessness Strategy
Preston Housing Strategy
PSP Neighbourhood Working Strategy
PSP Quality of Life Survey
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Section
Glossary of Terms
Area Forums
Area Forums are public meetings held in the community by Preston City Council led by local
Councillors and involving other agencies. They are an opportunity for people to find out what’s
happening in their area, have a say and influence the decisions that most affect them.
Citizenzone
Citizenzone is a moblie interactive vehicle. It enables people to obtain information about and access
services provided by Preston City Council and other organisations from locations in and around
the city.
Climate Change
Changes in climate, such as rising global temperatures bringing changes in weather patterns, rising
sea levels and increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events
Community Strategy Action Plan (CSAP)
A Community Strategy Action Plan is a plan containing detailed actions and targets on how the
partners on the Local Strategic Partnership will deliver the priorities and aims in the Sustainable
Community Strategy.
DCLG
Department of Communities and Local Government. (ie Government Dept)
Duty to Involve
A requirement placed on organisations providing public services to provide opportunities for
members of the community to influence how their services are provided
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High Level Outcome
These are the effects which are to be delivered during the lifetime of the Sustainable Community
Strategy
Indicators of Multiple Deprivation
Measures of deprivation eg in income, health, education, employment, housing, educational
attainment
Local Area Agreement (LAA)
A Local Area Agreement is a three-year agreement containing targets agreed between the public
sector agencies and others delivering services in the area, with Central Government. A Lancashire
Area Agreement has been agreed; the targets from the Lancashire LAA which relate to Preston form
the main part of the CSAP
Local Government White Paper
A paper setting out Government policy on one aspect of the work of Local Government ie affecting
the work on that issue
National Indicator (NI)
Measures identified by Government relating to wide variety of social, economic and environment
issues affecting people’s lives. Some of these were used as the basis of the Lancashire LAA
Neighbourhood Management Action Schemes and Neighbourhood Working
There are 4 Action Schemes in Preston, each covering part of Preston. Each is managed by a
Partnership Board involving representatives from organisations providing services, residents and
others. They aim to enable improvements to the area. In the other areas of Preston, opportunities for
influencing services are provided by other members of the Neighbourhood Management Team (from
the City Council)
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Preston Community Network
Its membership is comprised from Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector groups and is responsible
for providing representatives from these groups on the PSP
PSP
The Preston Strategic Partnership is the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP for Preston. An LSP is a multiagency partnership representing the public, private and VCFS sector which produces and delivers the
Sustainable Community Strategy for the local area. The LSP is committed to identifying opportunities
for local collaboration, including funding, to maximise available resources for the benefit of the local
community.
Strategic Objective
Strategic Objective is an aim agreed in the PSCS.
TWG
Thematic Working Group is a group of representatives from different organisations working together
to deliver one of the PSP’s nine themes. It is their role to deliver one theme of the PSCS including
some targets from the LAA.
VCFS
Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector groups
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Preston Sustainable
Community Strategy
2009-2012
If you have any queries please contact us via:
www.prestonstrategicpartnership.org.uk
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