Local Strategic Partnership
LSP brings together key partners from all sectors: businesses, public organisations and community, voluntary and faith sectors. This enables everyone to work together to tackle problems that would be difficult for one partner to tackle alone. The partnership operates at a level which enables high level decisions to be taken, yet is close enough for local people to be involved in what happens in their neighbourhood.
Blackpool’s LSP published ‘Equal Chances’ the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy for Blackpool. The strategy aims to close the gaps of disadvantage in the towns’ neighbourhoods. There is also a Community Plan, which in effect is the working document of the partnership titled ‘A Vision for Blackpool 2004 - 2020’ which outlines key goals for Blackpool’s future.
The Community Plan captures partners commitment to joined up action and is underpinned by six themes that ensure that by 2020 all residents of Blackpool will benefit from:
- Quality Education & Training
- Healthy Lives
- Safer Communities
- Quality Homes in Green & Clean Residential Areas
- Strong & Vibrant Communities
- A Prosperous Town
Within all of these six themes there are two cross cutting issues, which underpin their delivery:
- to ensure a sustainable environment
- to support vulnerable people
The six themes are interlinked and impact on one another. For example, a Prosperous Town will not be possible without investment in Education and Training. And in order to have Strong and Vibrant Communities it is necessary for individuals to lead Healthy Lives. The surroundings of where people live can influence safer communities, whether it is the removal of rubbish to reduce arson, the quick removal of graffiti or securing homes. All partners recognise that there will be a need to work on all these areas to have a real impact on the quality of life for the people who live and work in Blackpool.
The Local Strategic Partnership also provides a unified voice for Blackpool and recently used its status to write to the Department of Health supporting a total ban on smoking within all public places. The partnership is also an excellent forum for debating key issues that affect the town and recently held a discussion on how employers could help boost the local economy. Representatives from local businesses suggested offering work experience programmes, which enable young people to have the right opportunities to develop the right skills and improve their employment prospects.
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