1. Developing a Community Cohesion Strategy Julie Ball Walsall Council Presentation to WBSP Board, 9 June 2008

2. Local context Sustainable Community Strategy Moving Forward What the consultants did Main points from baseline data Themes and issues The Strategy Developing a Community Cohesion Strategy

3. Diverse communities are a strength Overall community cohesion is good Dynamics of Walsall’s population changing In 2006 55% of residents perceived people not treating one another with respect a very or fairly big problem Walsall’s Sustainable Community Strategy is striving to develop strong and active communities Local context

4. Vision 2021 –“Walsall will be a good place to live, work and invest, where …..” People get on well together Growing up is as good as it can be and young people fulfil their potential People consider the impact of what we do now on future generations Sustainable Community Strategy

5. Walsall Partnership and Council acknowledged gap External consultants appointed Steering group set up to oversee Bringing together existing strands of work and practice Building on brand of “We Are Walsall” Draft strategy produced Feb 2008 Moving Forward

6. Built a picture of Walsall by…. Looking at our baseline data Holding one to one discussions Running focus groups Seeking out examples of good or innovative practice Stakeholder event What the consultants did…

7. A Borough of contrasts A changing population, more diverse Deprivation and inequality are key issues Some progress in tackling inequalities Mixed picture of how people get along together Main points from baseline data

8. People –Building mutual respect –Developing community leadership –Understanding communities and planning for change –Communicating community cohesion –Safeguarding communities against tensions and unrest Themes and issues

9. Places –Developing a neighbourhood approach –Planning for where people live –Working with regional and national partners Themes and issues

10. Prosperity –Maximising cohesion improvements through regeneration –Planning the workforce for the future Themes and issues

11. Wider consultation underway Steering group mapping out consultation Posted on Inside Walsall: Community Cohesion Strategy and Action Plan Strategy and action plan posted on WBSP website: www.wbsp.org.uk www.wbsp.org.uk Launch in July 2008 alongside SCS Where we are now

12. Julie Ball Head of Neighbourhood Partnerships and Programmes Walsall Council Tel: 01922 654706 E-mail: BallJ@walsall.gov.ukBallJ@walsall.gov.uk