Government Offices make a vital contribution to the Government’s commitment to develop thriving, vibrant, sustainable communities. The ‘Sustainable Communities Plan’ (published by the then Office of the Deputy Prime Minister), will affect every region as part of the Government’s drive to raise the quality of life in our communities through increasing prosperity, reducing inequalities, producing more employment, better public services and better health and education.
More information on the national picture
It is a programme of action designed to:
- improve living standards within the poorest areas.
- provide affordable housing
- improve land use particularly in the use of previously utilised land
- ensure infrastructure is in place to support new or increased house building
- enhance the use of green spaces and make the public realm cleaner, greener and safer
- make communities places where people want to live now and in the future
This is an extensive programme encompassing The Cleaner, Safer, Greener initiative
The Cleaner, Safer, Greener initiative encompasses a number of other pre-existing Government initiatives which include:
Liveability
Havant, Spelthorne and Medway councils are part of a pilot of “liveability” authorities. Together they have over 9.5 million pounds to spend up until March 2006 on improving the quality of their local environment. Our role is to provide support and advice and monitor spend.
Examples of what they are doing are:
- improving safety and accessibility in cemeteries
- creating better youth facilities in parks
- enhancing urban space and streetscapes
Street wardens
A total of 29 Street Warden schemes have been introduced across the South East, they contribute to community development in a number of ways. These include:
- discouraging street crime
- reducing the fear of crime
- promoting social inclusion
Over 1.7 million pounds will be spent during 2004-005 on Street Warden schemes. In Kent alone a further 100 schemes have been introduced during 2004.
