The Suffolk Coastal Local Strategic Partnership recognises the importance of people being able to access services easily and equally. Ensuring that all members of the community are able to access services like education, employment, healthcare, shops and leisure facilities are not the responsibility of just one organisation. The Access to Services Working Group of the Suffolk Coastal LSP is taking the lead locally to improve accessibility by bringing together service providers and transport operators to develop a more co-ordinated approach to improving access to services across our district.

The aims of the group are to positively address the decline of local services in rural areas and to identify new and innovative ways to provide and promote public transport. The action plan developed by the group supports the aims and objectives of Suffolk County Council’s Accessibility Strategy.

The actions identified include a range of schemes, particularly relating to raising awareness of the transport services available to local communities, and working with local service providers to ensure that front line staff are aware of transport options available to their clients.

The working group is lead by Tracy Milne of Suffolk County Council who can be contacted by email or by calling 01473 264449.

The organisations represented on the working group are currently the Learning Skills Council, Connexions, Suffolk ACRE, BT, Age Concern, Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Coastal District Council, Suffolk Association of Local Councils, Job Centre Pus, Suffolk Primary Care Trust, Homestart, Leiston Citizens Advice Bureau, Leiston High School, CATS, Optua, and Framlingham Volunteer Centre. To see the full list of representatives on the group follow this link.