ONE OF the biggest and most innovative projects ever undertaken to find out how residents want to see their district develop in the future, has been launched.
Click below to view our four-page feature where a wide range of options are explored on subjects as diverse as employment, housing and the rural way of life.
Horsham District Community Partnership (what is a Community Partnership?; what is a community strategy?)Employment and educationHousing and retailRural, tourism and infrastructureReaders are welcome to add their comments below.Thousands of additional copies of this special feature will be distributed through schools.
This marks the start of a summer-long campaign – through a wide variety of forums – to give residents and workers a real and meaningful say over what sort of district they want to see in ten, 20 and 30 years' time.
The results will prove central to the district council's plans for the future against a backdrop of regional, national and global pressures – especially economic and environmental ones.
This week's launch initiative has been funded by the West Sussex County Times and Horsham District Council, although the big debate will be led by the Horsham District Community Partnership.
The Partnership – of which the council is the lead member – represents the widest possible range of groups with an interest in the welfare of the area, including the police, health professionals, the county council, parish council representatives, voluntary organisations, and local businesses.
None of the Partnership's members is paid, and the independent chairman Gary Shipton – who is also editor in chief of the County Times – has also chosen not to claim or receive any expenses.
The County Times has long campaigned for real and meaningful consultation with residents on key issues affecting their future – which is why it agreed to participate in the Community Partnership.
Mr Shipton said: "'Consultation' has become a bit of a dirty word – viewed suspiciously by many as nothing more than authorities paying lip-service to public concerns while driving through pre-determined agendas.
"I do believe that this project will be significantly different – and the results that emerge will genuinely help shape the district's future.
"There are big issues at stake – from how we encourage more local jobs, and a diverse range of them, to the type of housing local people want to see built.
"It will also be about protecting the fabulous local landscape and the rural economy as well as our local shops – which face the most enormous challenges from economic downturn, rising fuel costs, rival out of town centres, and the internet."
He praised Horsham District Council for leading the way with this project - which could provide a model across the country.
"I've criticised the council enough in the past for not appearing to listen to council tax payers so I congratulate them now for pioneering this project."
