Blueprint to attract more investment in South Somerset Communities

A Blueprint aimed at building a better environment now, and for future generations in South Somerset, is about to receive a major overhaul.

The document is being developed by the influential South Somerset Together (SST) partnership, formed in 2001and one of a number of Local Strategic Partnerships set up across the UK to listen to and act on the views of local communities.

The blueprint will accurately reflect the needs and wishes of local people, and is aimed at bringing in more investment and activities within the district.

It will draw in community research and knowledge, plus information from the Parish and Town Plans on topics such as existing services; how they are valued by local communities; what local people think about employment, shops, crime, leisure facilities, and housing, for example, and about what changes or improvements people want to see in their local areas.

And as part of the information gathering, the Partnership is about to launch an improved website with interactive communications opportunities.

The Partnership is also running thematic workshops during March and April which will look again at key issues and trends, identify any gaps in the evidence, and form long term solutions to identified issues.

SST Chairman,  Paull Robathan, says "Local Strategic Partnerships are about ensuring that local parishes and towns get the services and opportunities they deserve through listening to grass roots opinion and getting results, but to do that, we need first to capture the detail.

"The blueprint will contain a clear plan of action, and we'll be reporting regularly on progress. It will make a difference, and I can promise that it will translate into action."

Local people will get a chance to comment when the document  – the Sustainable Community Strategy – goes out to consultation in June.

Paull Robathan added   "This strategy will have a far reaching impact on South Somerset local communities, both now, and in the future.  We certainly hope that all the community will join us in shaping it."

Projects with which SST has been involved in, or part funded so far, include:

Inward investment and employment; health and well-being; support for vulnerable children and young people – (funding support for child safe packs); support for immigrant workers (welcome pack with useful information); action against anti-social environmental behaviour; crime reduction and the harm caused by illegal drugs;  reducing the fear of crime through the deployment of Police Community Support Officers; welfare benefits; Broadband for domestic and business use; specific projects relating to neighbourhood renewal in Chard and Yeovil; and the Market Towns Vision.