Thriving Communities Jeremy Prescott – Overview of Access to Services / Housing Caroline Mackay – Transport Mal Sheldon – Neighbourhood Planning Pilots 20 mins Workshop Discussion 20 mins Summing Up 5 mins

Context of Access to Services Decline in rural facilities and services Economic downturn Increasingly elderly population Rise in cost of rural housing

Objective – Access to Services Retaining good access to essential services and facilities within rural areas to meet the needs of local residents and ensure sustainable communities, and working to retain “Last Service in the Village” within remote rural areas

Actions – Access to Services Gain customer insight into barriers for accessing services Provide expert advice to rural retail outlets Advice and signposting for communities wishing to develop their own services Support library service including consideration of community partnerships Advise communities on multi -use / multi agency centres Influence health and education partners to ensure services are accessible to young and older people Develop Peer Champion support within villages

Objective - Affordable Housing Increased availability of affordable well designed, suitable, fuel and water efficient rural housing for local residents to help ensure future sustainability of rural communities

Actions - Affordable Housing Strategic Planning from Evidence Base - Develop 5 year plan to survey Parish Councils - Re-evaluate Housing Needs Survey process Raising Awareness to Key Partners - Communities and Parish Councils - Promote best practice in planning policy Innovation - Make best use of stock and land assets - Mix of housing to be created in new schemes - Create co-ordinated plan across localities - Ensure good design of new builds Allocation of Resources - Housing Enabler post - Linking new homes bonus to strategic plan

Rural Transport Caroline Mackay

Neighbourhood Planning Pilots Mel Sheldon