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Our Community Our Plan 2016-2021
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Contents
03.
Introduction
04.
Partnership NK
04. Devolution, Localism and Local Opportunities 04.
About North Kesteven
Housing / Educational Provision / Economy and Employment / Leisure Activities / Natural Environment
06.
The Headline Challenges for North Kesteven
08.
Our Plan, Our Vision, Our Priorities
10.
Our Communities
10.
Our Economy
11.
Our Homes
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Putting the Action into Action Plans
12.
The Bigger Picture
12.
Glossary
12.
Further information
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Introduction This plan is about our vision for North Kesteven. It sets out our commitment to work with communities, key delivery partners and organisations on projects and initiatives that will have a real impact on the people that live in our District. Our plan is informed by two things: facts and experience. When planning projects, we rely on facts to guide us to create the best possible project for the best possible outcome. It is important that the scant resources we have are allocated in the most effective way. Sometimes the data we receive is all too quickly outdated, and so we also rely on the vast experience and anecdotal data gathered by our communities and partners who are living and delivering in the District. A community strategy, or community plan as we prefer to call it, is a document which should set out the Authority’s aims and objectives for promoting or improving the economic, social, and environmental, health and wellbeing of the area. In North Kesteven we have a thriving partnership environment, and it is through this positive, progressive partnership activity that the community plan has been created. This is our Community Plan for North Kesteven.
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Partnership NK North Kesteven’s local strategic partnership, Partnership NK, was established in 2002. Partnership NK is a collaboration of partners from the public, private, voluntary and community sectors that work together on projects to meet a specific need or overcome a specific issue. There are over 70 different organisations involved in the partnership, all working on different levels to put in place projects that make a real difference. It is clear that effective partnership working can have a significant impact on a project’s success, and there are numerous activities across the District that could not have been completed in isolation. Importantly, partners recognise that working together doesn’t always require financial support, just the will to want to make it work. Aligning projects, joining up efforts and taking an innovative approach is fundamental to the longevity of partnership working.
Devolution, Localism and Local Opportunities The way in which the public, private, community and voluntary sector partners carry out their business has changed quite significantly since the last Community Plan was prepared. This is in part down to the reduced level of grant funding that is available to support the delivery of services or activities, but can also be attributed to the impact of the Localism Act which has encouraged communities to get involved and help to shape where they live. As funding is withdrawn from services, activities and projects across the District, the need to become even more resourceful will increase. There has already been a conscious move to join up services and make access to support easier for residents, while at the same time being ever mindful of the need to trim costs and realise efficiencies. From a local authority perspective, the Greater Lincolnshire Devolution Deal is a proposal put forward to Central Government from organisations in the Greater Lincolnshire area, for the devolution of a range of powers and control over associated funding. This ambitious proposal will provide opportunities to redesign services locally, stimulate the creation of jobs and will enable the area to thrive, adapt and innovate. From a North Kesteven perspective, having already established a healthy partnership philosophy, partners, residents and organisations will no doubt embrace devolution, continue to inspire localism and work together to grasp opportunities.
About North Kesteven North Kesteven is a mainly rural District covering an area of 356 square miles, the vast majority of which is classified as green space. The District is characterised by around 100 small communities, with more than 80% of the population living in rural settlements or a market town1. North Kesteven has a growing and ageing population currently standing at 111,0462. This figure is predicted to increase at a rapid rate as more people are encouraged to move to the area and residents are living longer. In fact, the number of people over the age of 80 is predicted to increase by 100% and the number of people over 90 by 200% over the next 15 years. This high proportion of older people, many who will be living alone, raises concerns about social isolation and loneliness particularly in a rural District. Loneliness and social isolation are harmful to our health: research shows that lacking social connections is as damaging to our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day3.
5 Crime, Health and Wellbeing
Economy and Employment
North Kesteven is ranked as the safest District in the country with very low crime levels and the 2015 Halifax Survey rated North Kesteven as the 19th best place to live in the country.
Across the District, agriculture dominates the local economy and food processing industries are highly represented. The public sector continues to play an important role in North Kesteven with 30% of people employed in this sector, which includes a high level of defence employment. The remaining jobs are in wholesale and retail (19%), manufacturing (14%), finance, professional and business services (13%), construction (7%), accommodation and food (6%), transport and storage (5%), information and communications and other (6%). A countywide broadband initiative has made a considerable difference to large areas of the District. However, digital infrastructure is still a problem in some of the more remote communities, and continues to hamper the productivity of some rural businesses.
Overall, the health indicators of residents in North Kesteven are better than the East Midlands and the England averages4, and there are low rates of deprivation. However, there is an increased demand for specific health needs ranging from mental health needs, obesity, diabetes and dementia. For instance, 65.5% of adults in North Kesteven are classified as being overweight or obese and the number of people with Type 2 diabetes is increasing year on year. Also, the projected prevalence of dementia suggests that the numbers of people with the disease is likely to increase dramatically over the next 15 years, as is the number of older people with depression. Housing North Kesteven remains a relatively inexpensive place to buy property, with the average cost of a semi-detached house being £135,500 compared to £180,000 for England5. That said, the low wage economy makes getting on the housing ladder much more difficult for some and over the last 10 years house prices have risen faster than wages in the District. Educational Provision There is a wide choice of excellent local educational facilities including primary schools, selective and comprehensive secondary schools and further educational establishments. Access to universities is also very good, with both the University of Lincoln and Bishop Grosseteste University located just outside the District. A further eight universities are within an hour’s travelling.
1. Defra, 2009 2. Office for National Statistics population estimate 2014 3. Holt-Lunstad 2010 4. Association of Public Health Observatories and Department of Health, 2015 5. NKDC STEEPLED Data Evidence Report
Transport North Kesteven has a very high proportion of private car owners which is directly attributed to the rural nature of the District. Public transport links are patchy between rural locations and the demand for community transport, such as community run car schemes to support those in isolated locations is increasing. Leisure Activities The Council in partnership with the private sector, operates four leisure facilities at Sleaford and North Hykeham. There are a wide variety of private sports clubs and numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation. North Kesteven has a rich cultural heritage and there are theatres, historic houses and gardens, mills, and museums in the area. Aviation heritage is also important, with Lincolnshire being renowned as the ‘Home of the Royal Air Force’ and a new memorial to Bomber Command was unveiled in 2015. Natural Environment North Kesteven boasts a wealth of natural, accessible green space. There are three designated local nature reserves and in excess of 110 Local Wildlife Sites which are defined as sites that are of great local biodiversity and geodiversity importance. There is an emerging country park, Witham Valley Country Park, which will improve connectivity between sites in the north of the District and encourage visitors to explore the areas beautiful green spaces.
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The Headline Challenges for North Kesteven The headline challenges facing residents identified from statistics and anecdotal evidence are as follows: An ageing population:
Reaching truly vulnerable people:
the predicted increase in the number of older people will put immense pressure on existing services. Ways must be found to adapt and respond to the needs of an ageing population.
engaging with those who are isolated to offer support before their needs reach a critical level.
Social isolation and loneliness: the causes of loneliness are not just physical isolation and lack of companionship, but also sometimes lack of a useful role in society. Combating loneliness is about combating social isolation and reminding people of their usefulness, regardless of age.
Disconnected communities: a decline in local services that used to pull people together, coupled with a significant increase in the use of technology has changed our communities. In many areas the sense of community has been lost. Re-engaging these communities is essential.
Increased demand for specific health needs: ranging from increasing mental health needs, increased prevalence of dementia, tackling obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
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Lack of opportunities for skilled workers:
Digital infrastructure and transport:
young people tend to move away to University and are not attracted back into the District until later in life. This is in part due to the high number of low skilled jobs and subsequently the low wage economy.
lack of public transport routes to some rural communities and poor digital connectivity compounds the frustrations caused through social and rural isolation. Meagre broadband speeds are still limiting business development in some areas and poor 2G and 3G network coverage is common.
Sustaining new business: the level of new business start-ups is high yet the number of new businesses that do not survive after two years is also high.
Financial exclusion, welfare reform and reduction in government grant: the perceived and actual impact of welfare reform remains a concern for residents, as does the need to ensure there is adequate support for those who need help to manage their finances. Residents are concerned that the reduction in grant funding to the District Council will impact on them.
The hidden housing need: although on a national scale the average cost of a house in NK is relatively low, a low wage economy makes getting on the housing ladder much more difficult for some. There are over 1600 people on the Council’s housing register waiting to be homed, yet there are people in council properties with much more space than they need.
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Our Plan Partnership NK’s activity is directed by a vision and three distinct priorities that it shares with the District Council.
Our Vision Our vision for North Kesteven is to aspire to have 100 Flourishing Communities.
Our Priorities 1. Our Communities: To promote the sustainability, wellbeing, safety and health of North Kesteven’s growing communities 2. Our Economy: To promote the economic growth of North Kesteven 3. Our Homes: To promote housing growth that meets the current and emerging needs of North Kesteven For each of the three priorities, several ambitions have been identified. For each ambition there is a list of suggested actions that will be put in place to help achieve that ambition. The priorities and ambitions will remain the same for the next five years, for the life of the plan. However the actions may change and evolve depending on need and tangible achievements. These ambitions and actions are focused on a whole community approach, and do not single out one particular target group. The actions are elaborated on in the Partnership Action Plan documents that support each of the priority areas.
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Millennium Green, North Hykeham
Whisby Nature Park
Nocton Sundial
Doddington Hall, Doddington
Cogglesford Watermill, Sleaford
Mrs Smith’s Cottage, Navenby
Heckington Windmill
Cranwell Aviation Heritage Centre
Navigation House, Sleaford
The National Centre for Craft and Design, Sleaford
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Our Communities
Our Economy
To promote the sustainability, wellbeing, safety and health of North Kesteven’s growing communities.
To promote the economic growth of North Kesteven
Ambition One: Attractive clean and sustainable NK Actions: • Encourage residents and businesses to minimise their impact on the environment • Support initiatives to reduce food waste • Promote sustainable communities as part of the Local Plan
Ambition One: Support business growth and jobs in NK Actions: • Provide focused support for growth and entrepreneurial activity • Support the delivery of careers advice for all ages • Work with partners to support long term unemployed back into work
Ambition Two: Safe and inclusive NK Actions: • Support the implementation of the countywide counter terrorism strategy • Support the creation of schemes to encourage cohesion • Work in partnership to ensure physically and digitally safe and resilient communities Ambition Three: Healthy, fit, and vibrant NK Actions: • Support and encourage opportunities to improve physical and mental health and wellbeing • Support the implementation of the Make Every Contact Count programme • Contribute to the development and growth of walking and cycling routes Ambition Four: Supportive NK Actions: • Support older residents to retain their independence and maintain a good quality of life • Encourage and support further engagement to strengthen community spirit • Develop social networks to reduce social isolation in communities across North Kesteven Ambition Five: Community NK Actions: • Encourage communities to implement projects that meet their needs • Guide and support communities to become both flourishing and sustainable • Support the creation of tools and techniques that enable communities to become more resilient
Ambition Two: Regenerate NK Actions: • Encourage regeneration and investment in NK • Support initiatives that raise the profile of NK as a place to visit, work, shop and/or trade • Support partnership enterprises to revitalise high streets Ambition Three: Encourage economic wellbeing Actions: • Promote the take-up of skills and training programmes • Support the implementation of schemes to reduce financial and digital exclusion • Provide specific and targeted support and advice to boost economic wellbeing
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Our Homes To promote housing growth that meets the current and emerging needs of NK Ambition One: Adopt the Local Plan Actions: • Support the delivery of the new Local Plan for Central Lincolnshire • Support the development of Neighbourhood Plans Ambition Two: Maintain and improve housing in NK Actions: • Promote improvements in the condition of private sector properties • Provide advice and support to make homes energy efficient Ambition Three: Support the development of homes to meet our communities’ needs Actions: • Work with partners to support an increase in the supply of housing and affordable homes • Continue to work with partners to address homelessness • Continue to support the Empty Homes Strategy
Putting the Action into Action Plans Partnership NK maintains three Partnership Action Groups, one for each of the priority areas: Our Homes, Our Communities and Our Economy. Each group has a diverse mix of partners from different organisations, communities and backgrounds. Each of the action groups is responsible for a rolling programme of activity that is defined in a Partnership Action Plan. It is the partners that help to make the actions we put on paper come to life. The action plans are considered as working documents and change and evolve as the year progresses and as local needs fluctuate. Good projects are commended and recognised, and poor performing projects are reviewed and learnt from. The partners are invaluable critical friends and are the very heart of partnership activity in North Kesteven. Progress is recorded by the Partnership Action Groups on a quarterly basis and monitored by a Partnership Steering Group. Progress is also reported at an annual partnership event, and presented to the District Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Panel.
The Bigger Picture An important part of implementing the District’s Community Plan is understanding the other external factors that will impact on it. These include: • • • • • •
The Central Lincolnshire Local Plan Lincolnshire Health and Wellbeing Board Lincolnshire Health and Care Programme South West and Lincolnshire West Clinical Commissioning Groups Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership Great Lincolnshire Devolution Deal.
Glossary The following documents and strategies have been used to inform our Community Plan: • STEEPLED Data Evidence, North Kesteven District Council (2015) • Department for Communities and Local Government Indices of Multiple Deprivation (2015) • Association of Public Health Observatories, District Health Profile (2014, 2015) • The King’s Fund Report: District Council Contribution to Public Health (2015) • Lincolnshire’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2013 – 2018 (2012) • Lincolnshire’s Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (2012)
Further information To view this document online please go to: www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/partnershipnk Partnership NK aims to be open and inclusive, providing everyone who lives or works in North Kesteven the opportunity to work in partnership with others on projects that genuinely benefit our residents. If you would like to get involved in any way then please contact the Partnerships Manager on 01529 414155 or email partnership_nk@n-kesteven.gov.uk