Presentation: Improving local environments, improving local economies, Lou Kizwini, Regional Director, Groundworks (South)

Groundwork is a community charity, which works alongside communities, public bodies, private companies and voluntary sector organisations to create and improve the local environment (safer streets, greener spaces). Groundwork supports people to gain confidence and skills to get involved in what's going on around them, to ensure they have a say in decisions made by the local council, the housing association and the business community. Groundwork focuses its activity on disadvantaged communities where it can make most difference. As part of its remit Groundwork can help improve job prospects by offering training and employment opportunities.

Presentation Case Studies: industrial estate, business park, shopping centre.

Generic characteristics – high crime, degradation of area, businesses moving out of area.

Planning for success: partnership involvement (public and private) and investment (new and existing), agreed plan, creation of training and employment opportunities within areas regenerated, ongoing leadership, work with local people.

Discussion:

MR: Provides a good example of local environmental improvements at a grassroots level and highlighted the work Groundwork undertook in Park Wood ward through the Neighbourhood Action Planning programme.

SB: Concern around the number of groups providing the same service in the borough.

Recommendation: For the Maidstone Locality Board to support a Task and Finish Group to finalise/agree a set of priorities and actions that link into the Environmental Improvements priority.

Decision: The Maidstone Locality Board endorsed the recommendation to establish a Task and Finish Group to incorporate, develop and support the priorities and actions for Environmental Improvements.