NEW ‘Connected Communities’ plans to help build strong, resilient, and sustainable areas across Malvern Hills district have been given the go ahead.
The district council’s executive committee have rubber-stamped the blue-print which is part of the authority’s five-year plan.
The document aims to focus on ‘what’s strong, not what’s wrong’ while also adopting an asset-based community development (ABCD) approach to its work.
The strategy is based around three central themes of healthier, safer and inclusive, stronger and sustainable communities.
The proposals are backed by a £500,000 connected communities fund to strengthen and develop communities after the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The fund will be used to support the council’s aim to transform the way it works with residents, voluntary and community organisations.
It will also be used to support projects around the themes of places, people and supporting charities and social enterprises.
Projects will be brought forward to consider for funding, but some of the cash will be spent on a new crowd-funding scheme to continue the council’s investment in community projects.
There will also be a new digital platform to improve engagement with residents so they play a greater role in how their neighbourhood develops.
Malvern Hills District Council will also be hosting a Jamboree event tomorrow (Tuesday, December 7) to thank partners for everything achieved during the pandemic and beyond.
Coun Tom Wells, Portfolio Holder for Community Services at Malvern Hills District Council, said: “We believe residents know best about their own communities.
“Our strategy places much more emphasis on developing stronger relationships with residents to support them to make a difference in their communities.
“Building closer relationships across a wide range of communities, not only with our town and parish councils, but also with other local groups and organisations, has helped us to understand our local landscape, but this is only the start.
“Our voluntary and community sector partners play an immensely important role, helping to identify, give voice to and response to needs across our communities.”
Visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/community/connected-communities for more information on the Connected Communities Strategy.
