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WELWYN HATFIELD Community Strategy 2015-2020

www.welwynhatfieldalliance.org.uk

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Contents

Page 3 Foreword by the Chair of the Alliance

Page 4 About the Welwyn Hatfield Alliance

Page 5 Our Vision

Page 6 Our Structure

Page 7 Our Places, Our People

Pages 8-9 Community Inclusion, Economy, Housing and Health

Page 9 Making it happen – working together

Pages 10-13 Our Priorities WH_SustainableCommunityStrategy2015_PRINT_Layout 1 09/07/2015 16:34 Page 3

Foreword by the Chair of the Alliance

Welcome to Towards 2020, our plan that sets out a vision for the to steer the work of our Community Partnership – the Welwyn Hatfield Alliance.

This builds on the positive and comprehensive work that has already taken place across the borough in recent years, while recognising what more can be done to continue improving the quality of life for everyone in Welwyn Hatfield.

Like much of , Welwyn Hatfield is relatively prosperous, with safe and strong communities. Inevitably not everyone in the borough has an equal share in that happy situation. But there are ways we can work together to reduce the degree of inequality, focusing on the most vulnerable people.

In particular we want to improve those few things where people in Welwyn Hatfield seem to be doing less well than we’d expect, compared with other places. We’re learning more about the evolving nature of our community and our environment, and the Alliance looks to ensure we prepare for future changes.

The Alliance will continue to involve a wide range of local partners to demonstrate the value of collaboration to create a better future for all. Refocusing our priorities over the next three to five years will help us work towards the outcomes set out in this plan.

Councillor John Dean Chair of the Welwyn Hatfield Alliance

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About the Welwyn Hatfield Alliance

Improving the quality of life for everyone living working or visiting locally is an ambition that most local people will share.

Many organisations big and a key list of things that matter to local people, things that need improvement, and where a small are well placed to make a solution involving several of the partners is difference. Several of them have likely to succeed. a legal duty to do things that This summary outlines those priorities and affect your well-being. Several plans, and explains how the Alliance intends more have the people, the to make a difference. enthusiasm, the resources and We have called it Towards 2020 because we the ability to get involved too. are sure we can make a difference in the few years leading up to the end of this decade. It makes sense for all of them to agree what most needs doing, share a plan of how to go Social and economic changes affect us all and about it, and work together to deliver those mean that it’s more important than ever to be services and improvements. sure we work in ways that are good value, and will stand up to difficult times. By working In Welwyn Hatfield, volunteers, businesses, together, the Alliance is confident that we can not-for-profit enterprises and the public deliver improvements for all, while costing sector have come together to do just that, in less than we’d spend if we all acted separately the Welwyn Hatfield Alliance. on our individual priorities.

The Alliance is a well established partnership While the focus remains on local priorities, the with good relationships and effective Alliance works with Hertfordshire wide collaborative working. Partners recognise that partnerships, such as the Local Economic joint projects and co-operation will give better Partnership and the Hertfordshire Health and results, reduce duplication and be more Wellbeing Board, to ensure we make the most efficient. of resources, expertise and opportunities that will make a real difference to local people. The Alliance isn’t trying to do everything on a very long “wish-list”. Instead it has agreed on

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Our Vision The Alliance is committed to working together for a safe, healthy and thriving community.

That vision captures the four characteristics that the Alliance can tackle to improve the quality of life locally:

To keep people safe and feeling safe, whether 1 at home, at work or out and about.

To help people stay fit and well, through promoting a 2 healthy community and providing a clean environment.

To build a thriving community that gives fair opportunities 3 for everyone and protects vulnerable people.

To build a cohesive community that is well placed to 4 accommodate and benefit from growth and investment.

Work towards achieving this vision will be guided by this Plan and through the plans and strategies of each of the community partners working together in the borough.

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Our Structure

Executive Group Local Partnerships

The Executive Group is the overall decision Rather than devising new arrangements, the making body of the Alliance and provides Alliance works through a wide family of both strategic direction and co-ordination. partnerships, each of which lead on their own It includes representatives from: specialities:

n Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council n Community Safety Partnership n Hertfordshire County Council n Health and Wellbeing Partnership n Hertfordshire Constabulary n 11 to 19 group n University of Hertfordshire n Cultural Consortium n Oaklands College n Strategic Housing Forum n Community and Voluntary Service n Interfaith Group n Chamber of Commerce n Voluntary sector groups n Town and parish councils n WHSPAA n Public Health Hertfordshire

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Our Places, Our People

Situated in mid-Hertfordshire, close to London, Welwyn Hatfield is highly accessible from the north and south by road and rail. Motorway connections are good with the A1(M) passing through the borough and connecting to the M25 to the south.

The borough includes two main towns, As well as extensive rural open landscapes, Hatfield and , which are the urban areas benefit from numerous green home to almost three-quarters of the spaces throughout residential areas, in borough’s population, as well as being the keeping with the tradition of garden cities main shopping, entertainment and and new towns. Most residents are within workplaces. The rest live in the many villages easy reach of informal recreational in the rural parts of the district. opportunities and there are well established leisure facilities. The borough has a strong In 2012 there were 79,000 jobs in the basis for expanding its already enviable borough. Of the 51,000 residents with jobs, position for disabled people to explore new 23,000 (44%) of them travel to work outside sports and leisure activities, strongly the borough. supported by Welwyn Hatfield Sports and Physical Activity Alliance. The population of the borough, based on the 2013 mid-year estimate from the Office for The University of Hertfordshire, with two National Statistics, is 114,000. Conversion of campuses in Hatfield, has more than 20,000 much of the old Hatfield aerodrome to students and staff. Typically more than 20% housing over recent years has played a big of these lived here before coming to study, part in enabling many more people to live in and many stay living locally when their course the borough. ends, so the university is very much a part of the local community. The university is also the Heath and quality of life in the borough is biggest employer in the borough. generally good with life expectancy recorded above the national average. There is an Opportunities for education and training are increasing population of school-age and well served by Oaklands College, with a younger residents. The ethnic mixture is campus in central Welwyn Garden City and varied, especially among younger people, another just across the border at . leading to increasingly diverse communities.

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Community Inclusion, Economy, Housing and Health

proportion of high value and skilled jobs. Community Inclusion To this end we are developing an Economic Strategy for the borough, which will set out Like much of Hertfordshire, Welwyn Hatfield is the vision and form part of the wider approach a relatively affluent area taken as a whole. By to delivering the objectives. national and regional standards, we enjoy low unemployment and a low crime rate. But for a significant number of local people who do not Housing share in this general prosperity, life can be difficult. Of the 45,000 households in the borough, about 9,000 homes are owned by the People may be living in troubled circumstances borough council and managed by Welwyn almost anywhere in the borough, so the Hatfield Community Housing Trust. A variety Alliance will not limit its work to the few of Housing Associations have a further 4,000 neighbourhoods that appear deprived properties. Homes rented from private according to the nationally monitored landlords number about 7,200. We estimate measurements. This patchwork does not fit that about 2,400 of those are “houses in well with administrative boundaries, so it is multiple occupation”, let as single rooms. important to work together to make help easily accessible for people who need it, At £332,000 in 2015 the average price of a wherever they live. home in Welwyn Hatfield is beyond the reach of many. Properties that are valued within the lowest quartile band are about 9 times the average lowest quartile income band, Economy putting home ownership out of reach for The borough supports a range of employment many local residents. opportunities and is well placed geographically for new businesses who wish to locate In common with many parts of the country, themselves in the borough. The local economy there is a need for additional homes to meet has demonstrated a good level of resilience the developing needs of local families as well during the recent economic recession as the pressure to accommodate more people wanting to live and work in Welwyn Hatfield. We have a highly professional scientific and Alliance partners, especially the borough technical local economy with fewer big firms council, will continue to work with other public but plenty of small to medium size enterprises. authorities, landowners and developers in planning to meet the need for new We want Welwyn Hatfield’s economy to development – and the infrastructure to remain competitive, sustainable and resilient support it – while also balancing this against with high levels of inward investment, a the need to protect the things that make the broader employment base and a greater borough a desirable place to live and work.

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Making it happen – working together

We want to make sure we maximise opportunities to attract external funding and The priorities set out in this investment, whilst ensuring future design plan will be taken forward compliments existing infrastructure. through the three main partnerships: the Health & Health Wellbeing Partnership, the The 2014 health profile shows that the Community Safety health of the people of Welwyn Hatfield remains generally better than the England Partnership and the average, but there are inequalities in the Community Inclusion borough. Men and women living in the most deprived areas of the borough can expect to Group, each of which will die 7.5 years younger than people in the least involve a range of partners deprived areas. across the borough. Happily the 2014 NHS health profiles for the borough show Welwyn Hatfield remains in line These partnerships will report with or better than the same profiles for regularly to the Alliance Executive England as a whole. The profile suggests that Group, and produce action plans on the priorities in Welwyn Hatfield should addressing the priorities. Details will include promoting healthy weight and physical be available on the website activity, continuing to reduce the uptake of www.welwynhatfieldalliance.org.uk. smoking, and meeting the needs of an increasing older population. The work will link to other key strategic documents, such as the Children have, on average, been getting borough council’s Housing and heavier, through a combination of the kind of Homelessness Strategy, the Local foods we eat, and how much we exert Enterprise Partnership’s Strategy, ourselves physically. Childhood obesity is a Hertfordshire Health and Wellbeing national priority, and the health profile states Strategy and the Voluntary Sector that about one in six of year 6 pupils (10 and Strategy. 11 year olds) in Welwyn Hatfield are classed as obese, which is in line with the national average. If you have any comments or would like to get involved in delivering the What the Alliance can do is try to improve the community strategy please contact the scope and availability of services to reach the Welwyn Hatfield Alliance by emailing people who most need help or support to [email protected]. improve their health and wellbeing.

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Our Priorities

Health & wellbeing – helping people What we’ve achieved already: n Cook in the Box – supporting families with stay fit and well children under 5 to develop cooking skills Health and wellbeing affects every aspect and a basic knowledge of healthy eating. of our lives, and while many residents enjoy n Mental health workshop – raising good health and wellbeing, there are still awareness for front line staff. health issues that affect people in Welwyn n Public health conference – promoting “5 Hatfield more than elsewhere. Some of these Ways to Wellbeing” and explaining the conditions limit people’s ability to lead a full changes in public health. life, others can cause premature death. n Easy Riders – the first specific disability Following the transfer of “Public Health” cycling service in the borough. responsibilities from the NHS to local government, the Welwyn Hatfield Health and Wellbeing Partnership has been strengthened. Priorities: The local partnership is aligned with the strategy of the Hertfordshire Health & n Reducing social isolation. Wellbeing Board, as well as focusing on key n Maintaining a healthy weight in both issues for local people; working in partnership children and adults. with community groups and service providers. n Increasing the levels of physical activity of our residents. Our new health partnership comprises three overlapping work groups which include the n Complying with our health protection elected councillors, council services, health duties and using our discretionary powers service providers and community organisations. in a targeted way to protect public health. n Become a ‘Healthy Food’ borough. n Mental health and becoming dementia- Welwyn Hatfield friendly.

We will do this by: Community n Promoting and making it easier for people Forum to make healthy choices. n Providing accessible, safe and affordable WHBC WHBC settings and opportunities for recreation. Officers’ Members’ n Building on the excellent local facilities and Public Health Health Interest Working expertise in providing and promoting sport Group Group and activity for disabled people. n Raising awareness of the effects of

Health and Wellbeing dementia, adapting services and training Partnership staff to account for dementia in customers. n Using legal powers in a risk based and targeted way.

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What we’ve done already: n Each year “Crucial Crew” gives life skills to over 1100 Safer communities – students moving up to keep everyone to secondary school. n A weekly Sunflower drop-in for safe and feeling safe confidential help The Welwyn Hatfield Community Safety against domestic abuse, partly funded by the Partnership (CSP) works to reduce the Alliance and staffed by incidence and fear of crime and disorder, five organisations. including the misuse of drugs and alcohol. By working together, local organisations aim to n “Safer Together”, protecting tackle the issues that can have a detrimental frail or vulnerable people and impact on quality of life, creating a safer their carers (part of the environment and happier community. Citizens’ Academy programme of the Police & Crime Commissioner). Who belongs to the CSP: n Knocked at thousands of doors on Community Involvement Days to n The partnership includes many local organisations including businesses and understand people’s concerns and reassure voluntary bodies such as Victim Support them. By 2014 a quarter of homes in and Neighbourhood Watch. Welwyn Hatfield had been visited. Advised people about keeping safe through n It is steered by the borough and county n councils, the constabulary, University of planned seasonal campaigns, and Hertfordshire, the NHS’s Clinical responses to emerging and localised Commissioning Group, Hertfordshire problems. Fire & Rescue and the probation/ rehabilitation service. n The CSP and the Police and Crime Priorities: Commissioner for Hertfordshire must take n Keep down crime, especially burglary in account of each other’s priorities in homes. setting about their work. n Prevent anti-social behaviour. n Reduce the damage to communities from misuse of drugs and alcohol.

n Protect vulnerable people and help Responsible recovery from crime. Authorities’ n Support people affected by domestic abuse, Strategy Group intimidation, harassment or “hate crimes”. Promote reassurance and confidence. Joint Agency Monitoring n Problem-solving & Resources Group Group We will do this by: Other Forums on Anti-social n Understanding what is going on locally, Behaviour, knowing where there is vulnerability to Domestic Abuse/ crime, and who is doing what. Violence etc n Sharing information promptly and properly to help victims, to constrain criminals and reduce crime.

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Our Priorities

n Addressing the causes and consequences of crime, anti-social behaviour and the Thriving communities misuse of drugs, because prevention is better – and cheaper – than cure. With the growth and changes in our population we will need services to respond n Investing in environments that reduce vulnerability to crime. so that we can invest in the future and help people thrive. n Monitoring and managing activities to maintain high standards in licensable The Community Inclusion Partnership was businesses. established to look at tackling deprivation n Promoting respect for others and seeking and social exclusion throughout the borough, constructive relationships. and has brought together a wide range of n Developing diversion and treatment to partners and organisations. support those looking to avoid being involved in crime or drugs. Who belongs to the Community Inclusion n Advising people how to reduce risk, so they Partnership: can enjoy what the area has to offer, at n Welwyn Hatfield Citizens Advice Bureau home and elsewhere. n Welwyn Hatfield Community Housing Trust n Ensuring people can have confidence in local partners to seek justice and support n YMCA people who need help. n Hertsavers Credit Union n Applying sanctions that reduce risk and n Housing Associations – Aldwyck, Circle, punish irresponsible behaviour. Paradigm n Children’s Centres n Food banks n Mind in Mid Herts n Jubilee House Care Trust n Department for Work and Pensions n Other key local voluntary organisations

What we’ve achieved already: n Money makeover events – money saving tips n Work with food banks n Guide to local support services n Working together to respond to welfare reform n Improving access to the internet for more people

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Priorities: n Commit to improving the availability of Voluntary and timely help, advice and service to those who need it. community sector n Identify how national changes, such as how The voluntary and community sector plays a benefits are set or distributed, might affect big part in understanding and addressing all local people. of our priorities. We need to be mindful of n Work out how local services can make it the increasing demand on the sector while easier for local people to understand what funding is decreasing. To this end, they need to do, and what help is available. Hertfordshire County Council has drawn up a n Prepare, publish and promote help and Voluntary Sector Strategy, which highlights a advice in easily accessible ways. shared vision of how we will work together, n Make the most of the skills and willingness providing services to people of all ages and of people who are keen to volunteer. at all stages of their lives. n Celebrate the increasing diversity of the For more information see: local population, while recognising the www.hertsdirect.org/your-council/hcc/ benefits of assimilating people into a healthcomservices/comres/commwell/ tolerant, shared way of life.

We will do this by: n Working with voluntary and community organisations to help them to provide advice and services reliably and consistently. n Supporting straightforward, honest and affordable sources of help. n Promoting volunteering and voluntary services. n Recognising the cost of organising and mobilising volunteers. n Encouraging employers to support people who volunteer to do good things for the community.

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Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council Campus East

The Campus 4542/P&P/July15/N/P Welwyn Garden City AL8 6AE

T: 01707 357000 E: [email protected]

www.welwynhatfieldalliance.org.uk

Welwyn Hatfield Sustainable Community Strategy 2015–2018