Issue details

Community Hubs and plans for Worthing Library

The current financial situation for all local authorities requires an ambitious and imaginative approach to service planning and the use of public assets to avoid arbitrary service reductions.

 

The County Council’s aim is to support strong self-reliant communities. The West Sussex Plan recognises that to make real change happen we must empower people to help themselves. We complement this ambition with a commitment to make our services more effective. Many of our buildings and the services we provide in them do not match aspirations for our community, are not fit for the future and inhibit services being delivered holistically with customers in mind.

 

This report describes a proposal to develop a programme to create a number of community hubs where multi-purpose, community led services can be delivered - with our partners - to improve access to services, outcomes and overall wellbeing of our communities. Hubs can bring people together from various community groups and help them build relationships and support networks. They are also a good use of local public assets and an efficient and effective use of resources.

 

The Community Hub Strategy aims to combine services ‘under one community roof’ for the benefit of our communities, whilst making the best use of our assets to provide existing (and new) services in fewer, cost effective buildings. This report explains the framework of principles and design aims to achieve this ambition.

 

To test the model it is proposed to make the first hub in Worthing Library and to pilot a range of the ideas at this site to inform future phases. Community engagement in Worthing has been undertaken and a positive response received from local people.

 

The report seeks to confirm the delivery of the Worthing scheme and the steps needed to achieve it, to define the scope and aims of the Community Hub Strategy and the role of a Member Group that will oversee the programme.

 

Decision type: Key

Reason Key: Affects more than 1 division;

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Divisions affected: (All Divisions);

Notice of proposed decision first published: 01/11/2018

Decision due: January 2019 by Cabinet Member for Safer, Stronger Communities

Lead member: Councillor Debbie Kennard debbie.kennard@westsussex.gov.uk

Contact: Rachel North, Director of Communities Email: rachel.north@westsussex.gov.uk Tel: 033 022 22681.

Consultation process

Representations concerning the proposed decision can be made to the Cabinet Member for Safer, Stronger, Communities by the beginning of the month in which the decision is due to be taken.

Democratic Services Contact: Erica Keegan Tel: 033 022 26050

Background3: A Safe, Strong and Sustainable Place

Decisions