The City Together is reviewing its Community Strategy, 2004-2014. We want to hear from you about one of the key areas which we believe will be essential to delivering a World Class City:
How we can help to support a World Class City which supports our communities?
Below, we set out some of the key facts and some of the challenges we will face over the coming years, as we see them. We are already working to address some of these issues and challenges, but we want your views on what else should be done.
Some facts
- The City has a small residential population 7,800, but this is projected to grow to around 15,000 within the next 20 years.
- It has a lower proportion of younger and older people, compared to rest of the country.
- The population is predominantly white – the Bangladeshi community accounts for 4% of total population.
- There are marked disparities in deprivation levels between the east and other parts of City.
- The City has a largely healthy population - life expectancy is high.
The challenges we need to address
- We need to provide suitable affordable housing for City residents.
- There is a greater number of people living alone – meaning the cost of providing social care is rising.
- A growing local population will have an impact on health, social services and transport.
- The need to tackle health and deprivation inequalities between the east of the City and other areas.
- The need to plan for potential conflicts between communities, e.g. residents vs. businesses, residents living in the east vs. west and the negative perceptions about young people.
What we are doing already
- A new Community and Health Centre on Mansell Street providing services for residents in the east.
- A City Health Strategy and Local Area Agreement health targets to tackle smoking cessation, obesity and immunisation rates.
- City Academies with places open to children resident in the City (Southwark fully open, and Islington and Hackney planned).
- A children’s centre and extended school facilities at Sir John Cass School.
- Improved participation with communities, for example, through the Youth Forum and Older Persons Forum.
- Extensive involvement from children, young people and adults in developing the Children and Young People’s Plan, Play Strategy and Early Years and Childcare Strategies.
What else can we do?
We want to know what you think!
- Do you agree with the issues and challenges outlined above?
- Are some more important than others?
- Is there anything missing?
- What else can we do to tackle these issues and meet future challenges?
- What is the role of public sector organisations, and what is the role for individuals, businesses and communities in tackling some of these issues?