Suffolk Coastal LSP Forum – November 12, 2010
'WORKING BETTER TOGETHER'
With the current focus on public spending and a renewed desire
for greater local participation in service delivery, there is a
need to find smarter more efficient ways to provide essential local
services and create the 'Big Society' in Suffolk Coastal.
Exciting opportunities exist for local communities, the public
sector and local enterprise to revamp the way their organisations
are run and local services are delivered.
Objectives and Outcomes
Key speakers updated delegates on LSP achievements, informed
delegates on coalition government plans for communities and local
government, and gave an insight into the social enterprise
model of service delivery.
Key Speakers:
- Update on the LSP & Introduction to the Day
Ray Herring
Chairman, Suffolk Coastal LSP Board
- Big Society and Suffolk Coastal
Slides (PDF 130kb new window)
Ian Barton
Relationship Manager for Suffolk, Government Office for the East of
England
- Social Enterprise: More for your money
Slides (MHT 168kb new window)
Celia Hodson
Chief Executive, Choose Suffolk
Workshops
Workshop sessions investigated new and existing approaches that
support individuals and communities in being part of the solution.
This included information about current examples and future models
of community participation and local delivery. Delegates were
able to explore the possibilities and implications of increased
community participation as well as transition to different models
of service delivery and ownership.
There were workshops on the following topics:
- Older people - making connections and meeting needs...
More than a quarter of Suffolk's population will be over the age of
65 in 20 years time. While this raises expectation for increased
demand for public services to care for older people, it also
represents an opportunity to build on the enormous value and
contributions that older people make to communities and the economy
as volunteers, workers and carers. The Suffolk Circle is a newly
formed membership organisation for all residents aged over 50
focusing on what people can do, as well as what they need. It helps
connect its members to each other to share interests and to a
network of local, skilled people for flexible help with life's
practical tasks. Delegates explored the opportunities for the
Suffolk Circle to work for and with local communities and voluntary
& community groups in Suffolk Coastal to bring real improvement
to people's lives.
Feedback on the Older People workshop ( New
window) PDF 11kb)
- Community led planning in Suffolk Coastal
Delegates heard about progress made in Suffolk Coastal to provide a
package of support for individuals and communities to identify
their priorities and be enabled to deliver their own outcomes
locally. There certainly isn't a one size fits all approach, but
rather an 'offer' of interventions that can help people bring ideas
to life. Case studies showed how communities who have
undertaken a plan have benefited and examples of how various public
and voluntary organisations have adapted to work more effectively
with communities. Delegates were encouraged to get involved
in this exciting work and help shape plans for the future.
Feedback on the Community Led Planning workshop (New window) PDF
18kb
- Resilient communities and organisations in a changing
climate
Resilience means being able to cope with whatever comes your way.
So how are communities, organisations and businesses in Suffolk
Coastal encouraging their members to become and stay resilient to
environmental changes like extreme weather and flooding, along with
factors like higher oil prices, and economic austerity? Case
studies showed how communities and organisations are thinking ahead
to identify opportunities and ensure they thrive. Delegates
discussed preliminary results of a recent survey of local groups
and organisations about their resilience and identified what their
organisations and communities can do to actively move
forward.
Feedback on the Resilient Communities workshop (New window) PDF
25kb
- Getting learning and skills right for local enterprise
This workshop discussed and investigated which skills local
businesses in the Suffolk Coastal area need in order for their
business to grow and survive in this difficult economic
climate. How can communities ensure the engagement of local
people to provide the skills that meet the needs of future local
employers? What role in this should the community take?
Delegates explored positive directions that can link communities to
business needs and make our businesses economically viable in the
future.
Feedback on the Economy & Skills workshop (New window) PDF
44kb
- The I word. How to get young people involved...
The inclusion of young people in their own communities has always
been a priority of the LSP. This provided the opportunity to
learn about successful projects in Suffolk Coastal. There was a
discussion around ways to build and improve upon the existing youth
inclusion in Suffolk Coastal and how delegates could show their
commitment to supporting young people in playing a full part in our
communities.
Feedback on the I Word workshop (New window) PDF
3.32MB