Building truly sustainable communities means that we must take steps to include everyone in the opportunities that investment and growth will bring, and to integrate the new communities with older, and often less prosperous, ones.

Alongside our action for strategic investments, our agenda focuses on investment in local communities. There are many diverse communities in North Kent, including those from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Focus on community infrastructure: to improve the quality of life for families and individuals.

Key actions will include promoting and encouraging new and improved provision of –

• community enterprise hubs
• arts and cultural centres
• sporting facilities
• local access to learning
• health and social care centres.
  

Focus on stronger communities: to improve the capacity of local communities to take advantage of North Kent’s new opportunities.

Key steps will include working with our partners to –

• encourage action to achieve the Kent and Medway Local Area Agreement outcomes
• support innovative service delivery solutions across sectors
• promote stronger community and voluntary sector support networks
• encourage social entrepreneurship
• develop faith sector involvement.
  

Focus on healthier communities: to ensure North Kent is a healthy place, with opportunities for all to lead healthy lives.

Key measures will include encouraging –

• investors to design-in positive health factors for new developments and regeneration schemes
• health and social care providers to shape their services to cater both for new and existing communities
• all agencies to ‘mainstream’ health improvement.

Picture "Sea Sheppey Carnival, Sheerness" courtesy of Swale Borough Council