Plans to strengthen communities within the Malvern Hills District approved
A new Connected Communities strategy has been given the go ahead to help support communities to become strong, resilient, and sustainable.
The new Connected Communities strategy, created by Malvern Hills District Council, was approved by councillors at an Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday 23 November 2021.
The strategy forms part of their Five-Year Plan commitment to 'develop and implement an asset-based community development strategy which supports the building of strong, resilient and sustainable communities.'
The plan aims to focus on 'what's strong, not what's wrong' whilst 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.
As part of the strategy, Malvern Hills District Council have launched a £500,000 Connected Communities fund to strengthen and develop the district's communities following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The fund will be used to support the council's aim to transform the way they work 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 money will be spent on a new crowdfunding 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 (7 December) to thank partners for everything achieved during the pandemic and beyond.
Cllr Tom Wells, Portfolio Holder for Community Services at Malvern Hills District Council, said: "We believe that 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.