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With You, For You - A Strategy for West Sussex2009–2013

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In the next four years wewill deliver better servicesat a fair cost, by workingeven harder to make the most of resources and continuing to keep council tax rises as low as possible.We will improve the ways we engage with thewhole range of customers and communities in West Sussex and endeavour to provide excellentvalue for money services that deliver for people,when and where they want and need them.

Leader’s Foreword

We will give front line staff the authority and ability to deal with your queries and problems there andthen. In improving our focus on customers we willcut out duplication and overlap, streamliningourselves as an organisation so that we can continue to offer better services.

We will continue to transform the County Council into a modern, resilient and more efficientorganisation, saving £15m each year from 2009 to 2013.

We will focus on four areas:

� Supporting people and businesses throughdifficult economic times and laying thefoundations for future prosperity;

� Improving quality of life for our residents andcommunities, giving our young people the beststart in life and helping older and vulnerablepeople to maintain their independence;

� Looking after the Environment of West Sussex,reducing congestion, improving our highways,developing sustainable transport and safeguarding natural resources now and for future generations; and

� Keeping West Sussex Safe, for everyone in their daily lives and helping to build astronger community.

Your local County Councillors play a critical role in communities, helping address your concerns and issues both locally and also strategically atCounty Hall.

Henry Smith Leader of West Sussex

� Provides around 80% of local government servicesto the more than 760,000 people living across WestSussex’s 770 square miles

� Runs 28 fire stations. The Fire and Rescue Service deals with house fires, road traffic collisions and other emergencies such as flooding;

� Presents the ‘Safe Drive Stay Alive’ road safety show to around 8,000 17–24 year old students to help cut the number of young people involved in road traffic collisions;

� Deals with around 415,000 tonnes of your household waste;

� Trading Standards helps over 15,000 people get a fair deal;

� Looks after 2,480 miles of road

� Maintains 62,000 street lights and 11,000 illuminated traffic signs;

� Works hard to ensure the environment of West Sussex is managed sustainably – including maintaining 2,500 miles of public rights of way and cycle routes;

� Provides 36 libraries, three mobile libraries, an early years book bus and support for 23 Help Points;

� Provides social care to around 19,000 adults and older people annually, including about 46,000hours of home care each week;

� Provides social care for vulnerable children;

� Provides education for over 103,949 children and young people aged 4 to 19 in 287 schools;

� Provides free transport to school for 11,000 children and alternative options for another 100,000;

� Supports over 400 children and young people withsevere disabilities

� Supports over 600 early education and childcare places in the maintained, private, voluntary andindependent sectors; and over 1100 childminders

� Delivers 36 children and family centres in partnershipwith other statutory and voluntary organisations

The County Councilat a glance

SOCIAL CAREFOR CHILDRENAND ADULTS

SCHOOLSHIGHWAYS LIBRARIESAND HELPPOINTS

EMERGENCYMANAGEMENT

FIRE ANDRESCUESERVICE

COUNTRYSIDEMANAGEMENT

WASTEDISPOSAL

ECONOMYAND JOBS

YOUTHSERVICES

RECORDSOFFICE

TRADINGSTANDARDSSERVICES

RIGHTS OF WAY

TACKLINGDOMESTICABUSE

PLANNING REGISTRATIONSERVICE

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With you, for you –KEEPING WEST SUSSEX WORKING

The County Council is committed to promotingprosperity for all parts of the county and to fosteringthe economic well being of all those who live andwork in West Sussex.

The economy of West Sussex is predominantly smallbusiness based, with around 73% of businessesemploying up to 4 people and 86% up to 10 people.

The county also has a relatively high proportion ofolder and less economically active people mainlyconcentrated in the rural and coastal districts of Adur,Arun, Chichester and Worthing.

The proportion of working age individuals with onlybasic qualifications is well above the national averagein Adur, Arun and Crawley yet overall, the quality oflife in West Sussex is good. Nevertheless there arevisible pockets of deprivation, particularly along thecoastal strip and in the north of the county.

Geographically West Sussex can be divided into threedistinct economic areas, each with its own uniquestrengths and challenges.

The Coastal Strip

With pockets of relatively high levels of deprivationand an ageing population, this area is a focus fortown-centre regeneration, intended to supporteconomic diversification with improved skills and jobs. With further investment an attractiveseaside environment can be developed in which to promote tourism.

Rural West Sussex

Market towns and villages are the lifeblood of ourrural communities and the recent designation ofSouth Downs National Park status will help theirvibrancy. High house prices and low pay areprevalent here and some households, particularlythose without a car, would benefit from improvedpublic transport. Rural concerns also include theviability of the farming industry. While access tohigher education is rising, young people and adultswho benefit from it, continue to drift away from the area.

The Gatwick Diamond

Gatwick Airport is a significant international gatewaywhich helps boost the economy in the north of thecounty. Nevertheless there are issues to be addressedin the high proportion of working age residents withonly basic qualifications who are working in low-skilled jobs.

Impact of the Recession

The local economy of West Sussex has not escapedthe impact of the recession and unemployment is onthe rise, with some long term unemployed. We aretaking action to help individuals and businessesthrough these challenging times. The beautifulenvironment of West Sussex remains a key asset withthe South Downs National Park providing anexcellent opportunity to promote tourism and localtourist-based business.

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How we will aim to do it

� We are providing an extra £100,000 to Citizens’ Advice Bureaux to help manage the increased demand for debt advice and support

� We will work with partners to develop the West Sussex Credit Union

� We will identify ways in which the developing West Sussex Community Banking Partnership could be refocused to help support individuals

� We will seek to build on existing programmes and priorities to bring forward the development of economic infrastructure

� We will continue to invest in highway maintenanceincluding pothole repair and ensure that street lights and illuminated signs work.

� We will pay our bills to small companies faster to help improve their cash flow

� We will work closely with employers, schools and colleges to improve the skill levels and employability of young people leaving educationand training.

� We will develop more Apprenticeship schemes.

We aim to support economic recovery and lay thefoundations for future prosperity

� In the Short term: - We are taking measures to

- help people and businesses during the recession

- Support people back into work; and- Boost skills-led regeneration

� In the Medium term: -

- Support lifelong learning- Support work related programmes for young

people over the age of 14- Support innovation and enterprise- Support Gatwick as a regional hub

and internationally recognised business location

- Continue to publicly press the case for a South Downs National Park authority which is run in a way that supports and encourages local businessesand job creation

- Take the opportunity of the Olympics and Paralympics to boost business opportunities.

� We will work towards making jobs and essential services more accessible, particularly in rural areas and for those in deprived communities, aiming for a sustainable economy supporting a wide range of employment opportunity.

This section sets out how the County Council will contribute to the “Opportunity for all” action theme in the Countywide SustainableCommunity Strategy.

Second and third image kindly supplied by www.baa.com/photolibrary

With you, for you –KEEPING WEST SUSSEX CARING, LEARNING AND ACTIVE

Learning

Standards in schools and colleges continue to riseabove the national average. In particular, ourprovision for sports and arts is excellent. Additionally,we continue to expand the range of available coursesand qualifications so that parents and young peoplehave even greater choice in the range of educationavailable. However, young people in rural areas stillsuffer from lack of easy access to transport which canmake it hard for them to take up further educationand training.

There is a good programme of informal adulteducation although funding from centralgovernment has been reducing over recent years. We are looking at innovative ways of continuing and expanding this service

Active

West Sussex benefits from a mild climate andbeautiful natural environment, both rural and coastal,supported by excellent sport and leisure facilities. Ithas everything from stately homes and castles to artgalleries and festivals.

We will work with our partners in the health, culturaland community sectors to provide easy access to awide range of activity and opportunity for all agesand abilities to encourage more people to get outand about and help reduce obesity before it becomesa major problem for the population of West Sussex.

Caring

West Sussex has an older population than thenational or regional average with 85+ the fastestrising age group. This is a major challenge to healthand social care services and carers within thecommunity. We will safeguard vulnerable adultswhenever necessary.

We are working with our partners, particularly thelocal health services, to adapt and integrate our ownservices so we can do more to help people deal withthe health and social care issues associated withageing and frailty, while helping them beindependent, retain choice and remain in control oftheir lives.

Life expectancy generally is increasing but someareas may be missing out and we will work with thewidest possible range of partners to narrow this gap.

We are committed to working with families to ensurechildren and young people are appropriatelyprotected in their family. Where this is not possible,we aim to provide high quality care and ensure goodoutcomes for looked after children.

Overall poverty is below national average, but stillnearly 60,000 people including over 18,000 children,are living in low income households.

Homelessness, rates of teenage pregnancy, levels ofbinge drinking, hospital admissions for alcoholspecific conditions, and death rates from smoking inWest Sussex are all lower than the national averageand we will work with our partners to reduce themstill further.W

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� We plan to have another 15 children and family centres by 2011 on top of the existing 36 and this will enable us to reach over 42,000 under 5s and their families

� We will co-ordinate the provision of community transport with our partners to ensure a more even, cost-effective service

� We will increase the housing options open to vulnerable people

� We will work with the NHS to ensure services and support are joined-up and local.

� We will continue to drive up educational standards with the aim of supporting all schools to be judged as good or outstanding.

� We will provide better support for the care, safeguarding and education of vulnerable children, children in care and children with special educational needs.

� We will work with young people to provide access to activities in a way that appeals to them

We aim to improve People’s Lives

� We will safeguard our vulnerable adults, children and young people

� We know people want to be able to live their lives in the way they choose and to feel in control.We will therefore provide more personalised helpand easier access to information for individuals and families

� We will reduce the isolation of elderly and vulnerable people

� We will provide more support for families, parents and carers

� We will help to make it easier for people to access health care

� We will strive to ensure an excellent education is available to all children and young people.

� We will work with partners to help improve the health of children and younger people in all communities.

� We will take the opportunity of the Olympics andParalympics to create a permanent legacy for culture, physical activity and sport.

How we will aim to do it

� We will provide support and advice in a variety of ways such as through the website and locally through libraries and help points

� We will continue to develop our universal and personalised services through Partnerships for Older People and Self-Directed Support. W

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This section sets out how the County Council will contribute to the “Better health for all”action theme in the Countywide SustainableCommunity Strategy

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With you, for you –KEEPING WEST SUSSEX SUSTAINABLE

Congestion occurs in the coastal towns and in theGatwick Diamond areas, especially at peak times,resulting in longer journey times and this can have aknock-on effect on bus punctuality.

Across the county as a whole bus usage has increasedin recent years but the majority of children still travelto school by car.

We are committed to building schools which reach excellent standards of energy use and ensuring children understand the importance of sustainable living.

West Sussex benefits from a varied and high qualitynatural environment but one that is under pressurefrom development and congestion and which needsto conserve its natural resources now and for thebenefit of future generations. We will work togetherwith communities and agencies to manage the builtand natural environments, wildlife and heritage moresustainably. Stabilising and then reducing the rate atwhich we use resources and create waste is a regionalpriority.

Resilience arrangements for climatic events andflooding are needed everywhere, but especially incoastal and riverside areas.

We are working hard to minimise our waste, energyand water use and encourage all residents toconsume less. We have a vision for West Sussexbecoming a resource efficient County where as muchwaste material as possible is recycled and turned intoraw material, electricity or heat. We encouragebusinesses and consumers to use locally producedgoods and make greater use of local facilities andservices.

There are complex commuting patterns into and outof the county and within it. Over 760,000 people liveand work in West Sussex and many people travel towork outside the county, while other peoplecommute in, particularly to the Gatwick area.

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� We will build schools which are fit for the future

� We will work with schools and colleges to engagethe enthusiasm of children and young people in tackling sustainability

� We will continue to promote the 3 in 1 card

� We will improve the links between different forms of transport, including community transport

� We will build more cycleways and improve the maintenance of the existing network

� We will continue to work with partners to get rubbish and graffiti removed quickly

� We will contine to invest in highway infrastructure

� We will remove unnecessary clutter from roads and highways (signs, barriers and traffic lights).

We aim to tackle Climate Change and its Impacts

� We will reduce our CO2 emissions and help residents and businesses do the same

� We will reduce your waste to landfill

� We will make it easier for people to use sustainable forms of transport and so help tackle congestion

� We will work with you to ensure our communitiesare resilient to a changing climate

How we will aim to do it

� We will continue to resist unsustainable house building in West Sussex while ensuring that development includes an appropriate range of affordable and sustainable low-carbon housing

� We will work towards making all our buildings increasingly energy efficient by 2013 and minimise the waste we produce through recycling and education initiatives

� We will encourage our communities and businesses to reduce, reuse and recycle with the aim of turning waste into a resource

� We will aim to ensure that the county’s water resources are managed in a sustainable way

� We will aim to ensure that the quality and diversity of the landscape of West Sussex, its character and biodiversity is maintained and enhanced

This section sets out how the County Council will contribute to the “Better place to live” action theme in the Countywide SustainableCommunity Strategy

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With you, for you –KEEPING WEST SUSSEX SAFE

Even though West Sussex is a safe place to live, fear ofcrime remains relatively high with anti-socialbehaviour and alcohol-fuelled crime being a primarypublic concern, together with the provision offacilities for teenagers.

The rate of road injuries and deaths is above thenational average and has not reduced as quickly asexpected. We are investing in further road safetymeasures as part of our commitment to maintaininga highway network that allows everyone to travelfreely and safely into, within and through West Sussexwhatever the purpose of their journey and whetherdriving, walking or riding. We will continue to work tocut casualties by all means at our disposal.

We are investing in providing more “Safer Routes toSchool” for children to give families confidence inexploring alternative means of getting to schoolother than by car.

Violent crime and theft are not rated as major issuesin West Sussex, along with only moderate concernsabout drug culture and prolific offenders.

Overall crime levels in the county are low and havebeen falling thanks to successful and extensivepartnership work between local authorities, SussexPolice and agencies including housing providers.

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This section sets out how the County Council willcontribute to the “Staying and feeling safe”action theme in the Countywide SustainableCommunity Strategy

� We will continue to invest in highway maintenance and repair potholes and ensure that street lights and illuminated signs work.

� We will seek to reduce the numbers of people killed or seriously injured on our roads

� We will continue to push for major improvements to the A23, A24 and A27

� We will improve the co-ordination of school transport with partners and seek to reduce the amount of travel to school by car

� We will support communities – including schools – to implement successful ways of reducing bullying

County Councillors will continue to meet in localcommunities through the County Local Committeesto help make it easy for people to talk to them aboutlocal issues.

We aim to strengthen communities

� We will provide support and guidance to make it easy for people to get problems fixed

� We will help women, children and men stay safe in their homes

� We will help bridge the gap between communities – promoting understanding and engagement

� We will tackle the perceptions that can cause people to be afraid of being out and about in their community

� We will help to reduce levels of bullying

� We will help local people run communities the way they want to

How we will aim to do it

� We will seek to expand the services we provide that address the harm caused by Domestic Abuse to women, children and men

� We will seek to provide more School Safety Zonesto make it safer for children as they arrive and leave school

� We will seek to help young people to avoid becoming victims of crime

� We will provide more visible and local points of contact in libraries and help points for customer service

Image kindly supplied by www.staywise.co.uk

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Designed by:

Central Graphic Design • County Hall • Chichester

Printed by:

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www.westsussex.gov.ukWS288 April 2009

With You, For You means we want to design services, manageservices and develop standards with you. We will stand up for you and represent your interests. All of this is about a clearcommitment to ensure services respond to what residents needand want, so that residents are making the most of West Sussex.