Strategy
Contents
- Foreword – Councillor Garry Perry
- What is community cohesion?
- How we have developed this strategy and Vision for 2021
- A picture of community cohesion in Walsall
- Our priorities
- 1 PEOPLE
- 1.1 Building mutual respect by understanding what we have in common,
as well as our differences - 1.2 Developing community leadership
- 1.3 Understanding communities and planning for change
- 1.4 Communicating community cohesion
- 1.5 Safeguarding communities against tensions and unrest
- 2 PLACES
- 2.1 Developing a neighbourhood approach
- 2.2 Planning for where people live
- 2.3 Working with regional and national partners
- 3 PROSPERITY
- 3.1 Maximising cohesion improvements through regeneration in Walsall
- 3.2 Planning the workforce for the future
Delivering improvements in community cohesion
Our commitment to building community cohesion
We believe that ‘Every place has its time and it’s now Walsall’s time.’ As a Borough, we can see the changes around us and we are working hard to maximise all the opportunities which will improve the lives of everyone who lives here.
But we know that to achieve our collective potential, we need a shared commitment to community cohesion. This is no easy or straight forward commitment, because building and sustaining good community cohesion is complex. But without strong, inclusive and cohesive communities in our Borough, the gains we all want will not be realised.
There are some challenges ahead for us. We look to the future and see the possible impacts - both positive and negative - of our changing population and community dynamics. We know there are some underlying tensions; that some groups are marginalised and experience multiple deprivation. There are dangers of resentments building, of already highly disadvantaged groups of people becoming more marginalised. There is the real possibility that people start to believe extremist rhetoric, which is based on hate and prejudice.
All organisations who work together in partnership through Walsall Partnership are committed to playing their part to improving community cohesion. Community leaders and people in influential positions play a significant role in bringing community cohesion to the forefront of what we consider essential for improving people’s quality of life.
Doing nothing is not an option. This strategy is our starting point on a journey that involves everyone.
For more information on Community Cohesion contact:
Julie Gethin
Local Neighbourhood Partnerships
First Floor
Challenge Building
Hatherton Rd
Walsall
WS1 1YG