Councillors from Stratford-on-Avon District Council have approved the adoption of the 'Growing Opportunities Plan 2023-2025' for Stratford-on-Avon District at its Full Council meeting on Monday 11 December.
The new Plan was constructed in response to the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act 2023 and alongside the Social Inclusion Partnership and Warwickshire County Council, focusing on Stratford-on-Avon District its communities, places and the people who face the greatest challenges.
Cllr Liz Coles, Housing and Customer Services Portfolio Holder, said: "This plan is a result of a very positive and extensive partnership between public sector, voluntary bodies and Warwickshire County Council. This will be all about the people and communities that we are working for and how we can help those who need our support.
"The Growing Opportunities Plan seeks to better understand the contributors to inequality and maximise choice and opportunity for all residents. It is set to complement the new Council Plan and is the next evolution of the Social Inclusion Statement and Action Plan 2019-2024."
The next step is the creation of an Action Plan to be considered by the District Council's Cabinet in January 2024, which will detail the areas of focus and the specific actions to be delivered under the headings:
- Reducing rural inequalities
- Improving health and wellbeing
- Empowering and strengthening local communities
- Improving education and skills and increasing financial resilience
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, OBE, Leader of Warwickshire County Council said: "We have worked hard to bring to life the national Levelling-Up agenda in Warwickshire. We understand there are longstanding, complex issues which demand a new and invigorated collective approach.
"For us this means working with our partners and communities to create opportunity for all our residents, with a focus on those areas of the county where we know inequalities are deeply embedded. By aligning this work to our Council Plan, countywide strategies and activities, we have made sure it has become part of our day to day thinking.
"Our communities have the strengths, knowledge and capability to be part of the solution which is why these local plans are an important step in ensuring we focus action where need is greatest, and our thinking and activity makes sense and resonates at a local level."
