| Strong and Cohesive Communities |
People in strong and cohesive communities take pride in where they live
and show respect for the people they live with. They are communities
where people get on well together, where people value each other and
where everyone has the opportunity to get involved in community life in a
variety of ways.
The district is rich in its diversity both in terms of landscape and people:
from rural villages to towns and inner-city neighbourhoods, this district has
it all. Similarly, the district is home to a wide range of people from different
cultures, backgrounds and experiences. The district's history and diversity
mean that people often associate strongly with the place they live in rather
than the district as a whole. Many people also relate at least as strongly to
'who they are' as to where they live. These two senses of belonging can
be described as 'community of place' and 'community of identity'.
As well as the advantages brought by our rich diversity, we also have longterm
challenges which could threaten the strength, vitality and cohesion of
our communities, unless we plan well and work together.
The growth and changes in our population will need services to respond so
that we are investing in the diverse talents and enterprise of our people,
and are supporting different communities to live alongside each other. The
persistence of economic exclusion, inequalities between groups, and a lack
of involvement in local decision-making and community life can blight
individuals and neighbourhoods.
Our actions are designed to address these threats and the other negative
factors which weaken communities and create tensions between them (see
page 7 of The Big Plan).
There are a number of important things which will help us succeed:
We are building on our experience of involving people in local planning
and decision-making through neighbourhood forums and action plans,
urban villages, and parish councils, to develop a district-wide system
where everyone is able to influence decisions that affect their lives and
know that they have made a difference;
Elected councillors have an important and growing role to play in
representing the needs and views of local people, and working with
them to help shape neighbourhoods and strengthen community life;
Strong and effective community and voluntary organisations play vital
roles in supporting and stimulating community life and self-reliance,
and provide a voice particularly to more vulnerable groups.
If we are to succeed in improving the quality of life for everyone - closing
the gap between the most disadvantaged in the district and the rest - and
in addressing the tensions between different people and places, we must
pay attention both to 'communities of place' and 'communities of identity'.
In doing this we will also create strong and cohesive communities across
the district.
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| Our Long-term Ambitions for Strong and Cohesive Communities |
By 2020, we want no one in the district to be disadvantaged by where they
live or who they are. We will have strong and cohesive communities where
people get on well, where people value each other and where everyone
has the opportunity to get involved in community life in a variety of ways.
Our diverse and thriving communities and neighbourhoods will be
recognised as the positive face of modern Britain.
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| Recent Achievements |
Our nationally acclaimed Linking Schools project demonstrates that
repeated contact between children from different cultural, religious or
ethnic groups reduces prejudices on an individual level. The project
now involves 60 primary and 12 secondary schools; 'Beyond the
Boundary' linked young cricketers and their families from Manningham,
Girlington and West Bowling with players from Settle and Upper
Wharfedale; and Community Sports Networks (eg SportKeighley)
provide community-led partnerships to increase participation in physical
activities.
30 Neighbourhood Action Partnerships, 15 Urban Village Plans, 17
Town & Parish Councils and five 'Streets Ahead' programmes have
created a local action planning infrastructure across the district. 30
Community of Interest Plans bring together people who share the same
interest or experience to identify common priorities. These groups and
plans help to focus the work of all service providers to help meet these
needs.
Opinion surveys show that there has been an increase in the number of
people who feel they can influence decisions made about their local
area (up from 15.5% in 2006 to 18.6% in 2007).
The district was awarded Beacon Status in 2006/07 for improving rural
services and empowering people in those communities. This is helping
the district address the rural/urban divide.
Our annual district-wide survey shows that whilst areas have become
more mixed, more people feel that residents from different ethnic
backgrounds get on well together compared to previous years. 14
Partners have established a support network and 'Welcome To
Bradford' booklet to help the estimated 15,000 migrants from EU
accession states to access public services and participate in decision
making.
Increased numbers of people have taken up civic governance roles;
since 2006 an additional 158 people have taken up such roles (e.g.
magistrates, school governors) making a current total of 713.
IIFA Bollywood weekend attracted a new diverse audience (30,000+) to
Bradford City Centre, while more than 2,000 over 50s enjoyed and
participated in a range of cultural activities during Veterans weekend
14 26% of respondents stated that there are no residents from other ethnic backgrounds in
their neighbourhoods compared to 28% in 2006 and 33% in 2002, and 38% of respondents
stated that they feel residents from different backgrounds get on well together compared to
31% in 2006 and 28% in 2002.
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