Chelmsford Local Strategic Partnership

In 2009, Chelmsford had a population of 167,8001 people; the projection for 2022 is 169,400.  There are a total of 64,564 households and the average household size is 2.4.  The Chelmsford area is 34,446 hectares (133 square miles), with an average population density of 4.6 people/hectare (1.8 people/acre).

Chelmsford is best in quartile for overall satisfaction with the local area. 

Many areas in Chelmsford are among the least deprived in the country although the north west of the town has pockets of relative deprivation. The local population has a high percentage of managerial and professional workers.

The Borough of Chelmsford is situated in the heart of Essex and covers an area of 133 sq miles (344 sq km).  The Borough has two town centres, Chelmsford, the county town of Essex since 1250, and South Woodham Ferrers, a small country new town.

Beyond these centres the area is characterised by a number of villages surrounded by open countryside. The rivers Can, Chelmer and Wid cross the borough and one of the region’s primary reservoirs is located at Hanningfield. The local economy is strong with over 77,000 jobs in the area. Major local companies include e2v, Britvic, QBE, Mid Essex NHS Trust and Royal and Sun Alliance.

In relation to the maintenance of public spaces Chelmsford holds 4 green flag awards.

Chelmsford has the fourth highest volume of caravans in Essex, it has some socially rented sites, but a large number of caravans are on private or unauthorised sites.

A wide range of consultation and engagement is undertaken by partners. Such as:

• Patient & Public Involvement Forum (NHS Mid Essex)

• Gypsy and Traveller Study (NHS Mid Essex)

• Fear of Crime Survey (CBC)

• Place Survey (ECC)

• CBC host a range of forums such as:

• Parks User Group, Sports Centre User Group,

• Older Persons’ Action Group

• Young Persons’ Forum

• Chelmsford Youth Council

• Citizens Panel are consulted on a regular basis

• Neighbourhood Action Panels led by Essex Police

• Quality of life surveys

Additional Forums

• RSL Forums

• CVS Forum

• Young Persons’ Forum

• Chelmsford Youth Council

In the last five years Chelmsford Partnership has been consistently working to improve the quality of life for residents in the borough. The first Local Area Agreement (LAA) identified North West Chelmsford as a ‘strengthening community leadership project area’ based on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation 2004 scoring, which showed pockets of deprivation in the area. As a result, it was targeted as a priority area and a community engagement coordinator was employed to work with residents and deliver a programme of interventions to address their needs.

Following the success of this initiative, development of LAA 2 and in light of the 2007 Indices of Multiple Deprivation, the LSP have rolled out this approach to other areas in the Borough. Data and partner profiles have identified four areas of Waterhouse Farm, Rettendon and Runwell, Great Baddow East and Great Baddow West. The Local Strategic Partnership have recognised these as key areas of priority and have agreed to fund a programme of community plans, with a local focus, as well as continuing to fund the Community Development Coordinator and a further supporting post. This initiative will enable focused community engagement and will support local residents to become involved in their communities. As part of the community plans, partner activities will play a central role, serving to highlight local provision and avoid duplication of services.

See community engagement section above.

The Local Development Framework has produced important documents which provide detailed local intelligence

2007 Indices of Multiple Deprivation

CDRP Strategic Assessment undertaken, to review crime and community safety related statistics and trends to establish priorities

ECC Place Survey to provide evidence of residents’ perceptions

Joint Strategic Needs Assessment led by NHS Mid Essex to review and identify priorities in public health and wellbeing

CYPSP report card

NHS Mid Essex Health Profiles

NHS Mid Essex Annual Public Health Report

Tenant Surveys from RSLs

Safer Essex Performance Management (Monthly)

District Profile - these have been commissioned for each of the Essex Districts to inform the Integrated County Strategy and are an independent assessment of local conditions.

This information serves to inform:

• Priority areas (both geographic and social groups e.g. Elderly)

• Target Setting

• Investment of resources

• Negotiation of which LAA / NIs Chelmsford Partnership would ‘have regard to’

The Chelmsford Tomorrow (SCS) is the long term vision for Chelmsford Partnership and underpins the direction / priorities of the partnership.

In terms of political and community leadership, the Chelmsford Partnership Executive has political representation including the Leader of the Council. There are also close linkages between the Chelmsford Partnership and CBC Cabinet, with regular arrangements for Overview and Scrutiny to review all significant partnerships including the LSP.

The LSP Health and Wellbeing Partnership has funded the Fit For Business programme, which develops healthy workplaces and encourages employees to improve health in a number of different ways, such as – stopping smoking, healthy eating, being more physically active, participating in social activities, work etc. all contribute to improving health and increasing life expectancy. Mortality rate in Chelmsford for females is significantly better than the England average for all cancers at ages under 75.  The district is also in the best quartile for end of life care. 

Mortality rate in Chelmsford for females is significantly better than the England average for all cancers at ages under 75.  The district is also in the best quartile for end of life care.

With regard to reducing obesity fitness testing is undertaken.  Essex University was commissioned to repeat a 2001 study of the fitness levels of year 5 children in Chelmsford.   This concluded that whilst time spent on physical activity especially in school time had increased, actual fitness levels had fallen.  We believe this is the first time such a repeat study had been undertaken as interest in obesity was not so widespread in 2001.

Initiatives to address the obesity problem also included a Play Tennis open day held in July 2008 (and to be repeted in 2009) across 5 clubs with 400 people attending. Such successes were made possible with a grant support (over £15k) from Sport England obtained through Active Chelmsford under their Community Investment Programme.

The North West Chelmsford Partnership also has a responsibility to provide a range of accessible and affordable community activities including diversionary Half Term Activities for 11-19 year olds, from 2009-11;  Sunday sports sessions for 11-19 year olds, these also offer additional life skills training; Diversionary cricket project for 12-18 year  olds; a structured coaching, young leaders cricket award course for young people interested in volunteering and healthy cooking sessions for young people

The Borough is performing well in getting over 55s to volunteer in sports activities.  Significant PRG money is being directed into increasing participation in sport. This investment will focus on older people, those with disabilities, cycling, those at risk of offending, and other hard to reach groups. This investment will transform sports engagement in the area.

Chelmsford LSP together with Mid Essex PCT plans to develop telephone support and text messaging to those unable/unwilling to attend smoking clinics and a peer support programme to help school children to quit.

As a sign of our commitment to improving mental health and wellbeing, November 2007 saw the Drake House a centre of excellent for older adults with dementia in Chelmsford awarded second place at the North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s Positive Practice Awards.

Immunisation rate for MMR for children aged 2 in Chelmsford was above the Essex average but below that for the East of England in 2005/06.  For children aged 5 it was above both the Essex and East of England averages in 2005/06.

To support the commitment to tackling inequalities across the Borough, Chelmsford Borough Council, Chelmer Housing Partnership and NHS Mid Essex have worked together to produce profiles of four localities that have been identified as areas of need. The programme ‘addressing inequalities in Chelmsford’ is made up of a series of community focused delivery plans, which set out how local partners will work together to improve the quality of life for all local residents, based on the unique challenges of these local areas. (Case Study)

Chelmsford Partnership’s Health and Wellbeing Group is keen to follow on from the successes of the Home from Hospital Scheme and are in the planning stages of expanding the service to include benefits advice and housing options.  The Home from Hospital Scheme is delivered in partnership by the Guinness Trust and Dengie Project and funded by NHS Mid Essex. The scheme facilitates swift hospital discharge, through linking home improvements and upgrades, with social care and domestic support. 

A more sustained marketing campaign is currently being developed by the consortium of 15 councils across Essex and Hertfordshire (who make up other London Commuter Belt housing sub region) to launch in July a home energy/carbon reduction project which has secured £7,000,000 regional funding for two years. A Managing Agent will operate the project which will include the use of thermal imaging vehicles and top ups from the Government Warm Front scheme.  Articles have appeared in the Council’s "Life" magazine and jointly with ECC in their "Essex Works" magazine to promote awareness and signpost Chelmsford residents to advice and assistance to improve energy measures in their home.

Chelmsford also has the highest proportion of registered social landlord stock in the County, and has less than the regional average of households accepted as homeless and in priority need

Chelmsford also has the highest proportion of registered social landlord stock in the County, and has less than the regional average of households accepted as homeless and in priority need. Chelmsford BC itself does not, however, manage any housing stock.  Chelmsford LSP has allocated funding to the Health and Wellbeing sub group to develop an emergency housing plan for responding to the market downturn, to mitigate the potential rise in homelessness. This will include establishing a multi agency housing and debt alliance to prevent mortgage repossessions and evictions.  Maldon and Chelmsford LSPs are supporting the development of mediation support to families with vulnerable young people to help them resolve problems that may result in homelessness.  The Supported Lodging Scheme has three elements:

1. To offer emergency accommodation on a short term basis to 16/17 year olds.
2. By placing them in the homes of host families.
3. To allow young people to achieve the necessary life skills to move onto and sustain their own accommodation.

This is supported by the Family Mediation Scheme, which supports reconciliation of parental / child disputes and the Action Learning Scheme, which delivers homelessness prevention teaching in schools in partnership both with Chelmsford YMCA and Connexions

NHS Mid Essex, Chelmsford Borough Council and Chelmer Housing Partnership are in negotiations for a joint facility in the Melbourne Park area, to provide community development and healthcare provision.  Chelmsford Borough Council and Chelmer Housing Partnership are providing youth drop in activity at the Melbourne Centre and have now commissioned Southend United and Chelmsford City Football Club to provide diversionary activities, leisure and education to young people, to start later in 2009.  Chelmsford Borough Council in partnership with NHS Mid Essex launched the offer of free swimming on Friday 2 January 2009.  Riverside Ice and Leisure and South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre continued to offer free swimming for residents aged 60 or over until March 2011.  The PRG process highlighted that investment is needed in supporting rural communities to access services and increase community involvement. As one of three targeted boroughs, Chelmsford has been allocated 3 village agent posts which when recruited will serve to strengthen local communities, provide advice and guidance and effectively sign post service provision. This investment is supported by key partner agencies and the pilot has been noted as a preventative measure that is likely to result in efficiencies of core services, particularly from a health perspective, through early signposting to reduce likelihood of acute care.

Maldon and Chelmsford LSPs are supporting the development of mediation support to families with vulnerable young people to help them resolve problems that may result in homelessness.

Chelmsford CYPSP partnership has commissioned a series of interventions for 2009/10 to realize potential/reduce the number of young people who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training).  As one of the 11 local CYPSPs the Chelmsford CYPSP partnership works towards the Essex Children and Young People’s Plan.  One of the aims is “Enjoy and Achieve” defined as having the opportunity to reach their potential, enjoy their learning and developing a broad range of skills for adulthood.  In light of this priority, the Chelmsford CYPSP Partnership has commissioned a range of initiatives, including study support, safer schools partnership, speech and language therapies.

Pathways, a new learning guide published by the Chelmsford Partnership has been published to help Chelmsford people gain more workplace skills and qualifications to improve their employment prospects, particularly when the economic recovery starts to gather pace.  This 20 page informative guide is targeted at individuals as well as businesses in an effort to signpost advice on employment, skills and training.  Pathways also illustrates training opportunities for companies and staff to help improve performance.

To support skills development in the adult population Chelmsford has funded, through the LSP grant, a horticultural skills project. Working with Seetec, Job Centre Plus and Writtle College the Chelmsford Borough Council parks department will be offering horticultural skills training for those who are identified as having no or low skills.

To stimulate the creation of more high value-added jobs the Chelmsford Showcase this autumn is being organised by Chelmsford Borough Council’s Inward Investment, Economy & Growth team in partnership with the Chelmsford Business Forum. Designed to show the extent of activity, support and the wide range of commercial opportunities in Chelmsford, it will be an opportunity to experience everything Chelmsford has to offer to the business community and of major benefit to existing businesses, start-ups and those intending to expand or relocate here. The event will feature a series of informative seminars and a showcase of 30 or more exhibitors, who will be providing advice, help and guidance to businesses.

Chelmsford had below the regional average unemployment rate in 2006.

Working closely with many partners, including Chelmsford College, Jobcentre Plus, Citizens Advice Bureau and Mid Essex Enterprise Agency, Chelmsford Borough Council has launched a new initiative on 2 June 2009,  to support residents that have been made redundant or are facing the prospect of redundancy.  The new initiative, called “Redundancy Initiative : Supporting Enterprise”, or RISE for short, will provide a wide range of advice and support to people in the following areas:

• Dealing with redundancy
• Identifying career options
• Improving professional skills
• Professional networking
• Starting or buying a business

The service provides direct support to people who want to get straight back into work and will also provide guidance on training options to either enhance existing skills or develop entirely new ones to progress their career or move into a totally new role.  For some, the chance to be their own boss will be an opportunity, and the redundancy support service will also provide help and advice on starting a new business.

Steps are also taken to ensure affordable homes are available in the Borough with a minimum dwelling provision in the Regional Spatial Strategy of 16,000.  There is an estimated shortfall in affordable housing of 866.  Chelmsford Borough Council is working in partnership with the Homes and Communities Agency to continue to provide new affordable homes, in accordance to the Core Strategy vision and associated plans, which run until 2021.   Chelmsford Borough Council has secured a £10.5 million government grant that has helped them to deliver, in partnership with Housing Associations, 312 new affordable homes in 2007/08 and 178 new affordable homes in 2008/09. 

The Council adopted its Core Strategy and Development Control Policies in February 2008 which has a requirement for 35% of housing on sites over a certain size/capacity to be provided as affordable housing. 

An Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document was adopted in June 2008 which provides detailed guidance for the implementation of this policy. 

In North West Chelmsford, in June 2008, a small area of green space off Brownings Avenue was developed by local residents, Chelmsford Borough Council parks and Malin Blom as part of a BBC learning campaign called Breathing Spaces.  The campaign aims to inspire and motivate people to create and care for nature friendly green spaces where they live.  Free family activities ran all day including seed planting, a colouring competition and bug making with structured sessions for volunteers to help build and plant a wildlife garden.  The garden will continue to develop in 2009.

Plans are also now in place to investigate environmental improvements at the Kings Road / North Avenue junctions

There are many examples of bio-diversity initiatives that have arisen from the Chelmsford Biodiversity Forum – directly attributable to the LSP and directly referenced in the action plan. For example the Community allotment project in partnership with The Wilderness Foundation and assisted by Moulsham High School. The project operates with Council staff support and utilizes allotment plots at Hobart Close and Waterhouse Lane, seeking to provide opportunities to engage with nature and encourage local people to enjoy growing their own food. It provides a forum for young and old alike to learn about the natural world through growing wild flowers, grasses and saplings and the study of mammals and aquatic species present on site; and to establish a respect for, and appreciation of the environment.  Secondly the dry garden project developed at RHS Hyde Hall for all parish councils or organizations tasked with maintaining small plots of land, to demonstrate appropriate planting and management.

The Park and Ride scheme has transformed travel from the A12 into Chelmsford.   In its first year our Park and Ride scheme in Chelmsford helped citizens avoid making 250,000 car journeys into the county town.  It has been so successful that provision has been expanded to meet extra demand.  There is a further Park and Ride site proposed at Essex Regiment Way and funding is being secured for the site.  Further areas of search for further future provision are being investigated at Widford and Boreham Interchange.  The planning application for the Essex Regiment Way Park and Ride site is anticipated to be submitted in mid July 2009 with the site becoming operational in March 2011. As part of further development growth planned in North Chelmsford a rapid transit bus service called ChART is planned to link major new development in NE Chelmsford with the town centre and proposed new NE Chelmsford railway station.

In the last two years more than £1.5 million from Local Transport Plan funds has been spent on cycling infrastructure across the county which has included improvements to the National Cycle Network in Chelmsford and Harlow. Through PRG funding a Cycling Activator has been recruited to encourage usage of cycling paths and networks within the Chelmsford Borough.

As a result of consultation with young people, a number of bins will now be installed in North West Chelmsford.  Additional bins are likely to placed in Melbourne Park.  Community litter picks were also completed in Summer 2009 and Summer 2010.

Paper and cardboard recycling services for business and trade customers was introduced from 1 April 2009 [this is directly referenced as a year 1 action] and was achieved by working with the Business Forum and seed funded provided through the Local Authority Business Growth Initiative (LABGI).

Plans are in place for the Essex Waste Partnership and the Inter Agency Agreement to secure the £1.2m per year index linked for 25 years investment from ECC into waste diversion activities in Chelmsford through food waste composting. Whilst this has not arisen directly through the effort of the LSP it is directly referenced as a priority for action

‘Chelmsford Tomorrow’ Local Delivery Mechanism, have been established to take forward a co-ordinated approach to infrastructure delivery. This is an ongoing long term initiative. This includes working with the Environment Agency to protect Chelmsford town centre from future flooding.  The proposed scheme will be the first in the country to be funded by private and public funding. take forward a co-ordinated approach to infrastructure delivery. The Chelmsford Flood Alleviation Scheme is identified as a priority project and the Borough Council is working in partnership with the Environment Agency to deliver the scheme. The scheme will protect in the region of 800 existing town centre properties and assist in bringing forward a number of town centre development opportunity sites. A preferred option has been identified and designed by the Environment Agency, with an anticipated delivery date of 2012. The Borough Council has agreed in principle to allocate £7 million of the Chelmsford Growth Fund award to the scheme and the remaining funding is now being identified, which will include financial contributions from developers.  The proposed approach would be to restrict the flow on the Rivers Wid and Can to allow flood in the River Chelmer to pass into the water meadows east of the town more quickly.  Once levels had dropped, the water held back on the River Wid would be allowed to flow through in a controlled way.  The project would have two key elements:  an earth mound flood barrier on the River Wid outside Margaretting and a series of walls, bunds and defences in Chelmsford Town centre. The detailed planning proposal will go for public in Autumn 2010 and the project remains on target for completion in 2012.

Plans are in place for the Essex Waste Partnership and the Inter Agency Agreement to secure the £1.2m per year index linked for 25 years investment from ECC into waste diversion activities in Chelmsford through food waste composting. Whilst this has not arisen directly through the effort of the LSP it is directly referenced as a priority for action.  PRG has funded the Tendring Reuse and Employment Enterprise to expand Reuse and Employment enterprise centre into areas of deprivation.  The scheme is for 2009/10 and 2011/12 and will collect, refurbish and reuse electrical good and furniture. It also includes training opportunities for volunteers, leading to NVQ's and paid employment.  Community Litter Picks planned for Summer 2009 and Summer 2010.  In consultation with residents the LSP have funded an increased number of extra waste and recycling bins in North West Chelmsford in the Melbourne Park area.

Chelmsford Borough Council (CBC) has applied to the World Health Organisation to become a member of the International Safe Community network.  If successful CBC will be the first local authority in the UK to be designated as an “International Safe Community”.  Chelmsford submitted the application in October 2009 and a one day site visit was held in January 2010 during which Chelmsford showcased projects on road safety, anti-social behaviour, safety during large-scale events, prevention of substance misuse and fire safety.  If successful the ceremony will take place in summer 2010.

In 2009/10 Safer Chelmsford are supporting 4 Road Safety dramas to promote road safety to young people, these are targeted for those in years 7 to13.

To help Reduce substance misuse, particularly by young people Safer Chelmsford have planned provision for a series of 2 Smart road shows to year 7 students during 2009/10, and has also commissioned regular Crucial Crew events which are multi-agency events that provide teaching for year 6 students to become more aware of personal safety; and launching Campaign-Binge Drinking during summer 2009.  Safer Chelmsford DARG members are also attending planned Active Families events and will advise residents and distribute ‘Know Your Limits’ campaign material.

Chelmsford District Police plans to post and maintain an officer into a safer schools post at each Secondary School.

Working jointly with Maldon Community Safety Partnership, Essex Police, Essex Probation, Magistrates and other partners, a Priority and Prolific Offender Strategy has been implemented to target a small number of prolific offenders who are responsible for a disproportionate amount of crime.  Built into the process are systems to identify those people at risk of offending, to enable supportive intervention to take place before that person becomes an offender.  Chelmsford District Police to maintain an officer into a safer schools post at each Secondary School.

Chelmsford LSP is introducing Domestic Violence awareness training in schools.  Chelmsford and Maldon Domestic Violence Forum have planned to devise and implement training programme between 2009/11 to enable front line staff to effectively signpost enquiries.  The forum also plans to increase the number of initiatives in relation to raising awareness of support available to victims of Domestic Violence, and plan to deliver leaflets into GP surgeries and health centres and give talks to communicate messages and identify and support other community initiatives.  Finally the forum has an ongoing action to provide support to the PHSE school curriculum in terms of healthy relationships and Domestic Violence through providing support and information to staff.

There is a wide ranging summer 09 activity programme involving CBC and multiple partners for children and young people. During 2009/10 Safer Chelmsford are supporting the Street Pastors Scheme, who volunteer during the night,  engaging with and providing support (in particular to young) people who feel themselves to be excluded and marginalised. The reduction of Anti-social behaviour has been highlighted as a key priority for residents and partners to the LSP. Recently implemented measures are: ‘Be Smart-Be Safe’, a high-profile campaign for older people.  Safer Chelmsford Quality of Life Sub-Group  have commissioned a pilot ”reality Road show” for Year 9 pupils in 2009, targeting and raising awareness/reduction of ASB/crime and improving personal safety.  Multiple partners and service providers are involved in licensing applications, designated drinking zones, Behave or Be Banned and the town centre dispersal orders to limit negative effect if drinking.

Safer Chelmsford Partnership is planning to develop a Communications Plan (including new website, marketing and advertising, etc), to promote the brand and the local area as a safe place.  Safer Chelmsford and Chelmsford Police have introduced a high visibility Policing and use of deployable CCTV in identified hotspots to reduce Criminal Damage in Residential Areas.  Safer Chelmsford has commissioned a trial of Taxi Marshals every Friday and Saturday night from 10pm – 4am to reduce alcohol related public order offences in taxi queues and ensure a safe exit from the town.

The LSP is responsible for the provision of two Firebreak events a year to target vulnerable young people who have been highlighted as either victims or perpetrators of arson.

The Racial Incident and Hate Crime Panel (sub group of Safer Chelmsford) has a programme of events in place to raise awareness of hate crime amongst general public and increase reporting.  The group is also providing training to encourage reporting on racial and hate crime incidents to all relevant agencies and groups (e.g. supporting Street Pastors).

CYPSP has commissioned a series of initiatives to support vulnerable young people including:

• Counselling / therapy service for children and young people (individual and/or group sessions)
• Peer Mentoring programme
• Self Esteem programme
• Innovative preventative activity

Delivery of a pilot ”Reality Road Show” for Year 9 pupils targeting raising awareness / reduction of ASB/crime and improving personal safety.

Safer Chelmsford was identified as in need of review to strengthen arrangements and consider capacity. A full risk assessment was undertaken using an external consultancy and this exercise was an opportunity to establish through identification, analysis and prioritisation of the key risks that could affect the ability of the Safer Chelmsford Partnership to achieve its key aims and objectives. As a result of this assessment a number of recommendations were implemented, including a full restructure, robust governance arrangements based on the Home Office guidance: Hallmarks of Effective Partnerships and recruitment of support staff to ensure that the partnership has full capacity to deliver.  Following this review the partnership now enjoys increased partnership engagement, with clear communication and information sharing through the SharePoint interactive system. The outcomes of the assessment have also led to greater financial transparency with specified arrangements and clear and focused action planning across sub groups. Safer Chelmsford recognise this risk assessment is good practice and will be revisiting the process in September 2009.

Chelmsford Borough Council in partnership with NHS Mid Essex launched the offer of free swimming on Friday 2 January 2009.  Riverside Ice and Leisure and South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre continued to odder free swimming for everyone during all public swimming session, seven days a week until 31 March.  The scheme was funded by NHS Mid Essex.

Chelmsford, Braintree, Brentwood and Colchester LSPs are planning to direct PRG into schemes that will transform the scale of volunteering in their areas.

Chelmsford Arts Trail 12^th-20^th September 2009 – 61 local artists, educational institutions and local businesses are collaborating in this project to bring art to Chelmsford.  Without a public gallery space, it is important to support with alternatives.  The arts trail enables people to view art work away from the traditional gallery setting.  It benefits all involved: the artist to raise their profile, and the collective profile of the arts in Chelmsford, local businesses receive free marketing support and a vibrant window display and audiences can experience a free ‘exhibition’ and participate on many visual arts activities.

Chelmsford played a key role in the Essex-Jiangsu Festival.

Chelmsford Borough Council also managed the EAST meets WEST event which takes place in a County Council owned Country Park in Brentwood Borough Council's area.  This was a large scale festival which celebrated the Chinese and Eastern culture. Chelmsford also celebrated the Chinese New Year for three days January, with a number of free culture events for the community.

Colchester Borough Council has already agreed a five year programme of events with annual themes focused around the Games that will run through to 2012

CBC  Arts Developments and partners provide:

• Creative Taster sessions to support those made redundant as well as encouraging people to develop an artistic interest.
• ART in Shops – to enable people to view art outside pubic galleries, as well as an online resource for artists to exhibit on: Chelmsford Virtual Gallery
• Youth Theatre provisions
• Fling & Three Foot Festival – arts activities and many arts workshops provided to encourage audience participation

Chelmsford Borough Council boasts an unrivalled strength in the organisation of community events on a major scale. Their hosting of the World Scout Jamboree in 2007 included cooperation across the county with 40,000 scouts from all over the world camping at a range of locations and a massive daily transport operation to bring them to Hylands Park. This expertise is being used to good effect in the planning for the transport surrounding the Mountain Bike event.

The Active Chelmsford Network are working in partnership to promote activity and sports within the borough through providing a range of partnership activities including:

• Diversionary cricket sessions, in Melbourne Park provides a safe and structured activity for young people and also supports them to take their young leaders award in Cricket, which helps young people develop leadership and communication skills. The award also encourages young people to help coach other young people and to volunteer at local sports clubs.  .
• One Gifted and Talented Identification Day, to increase participation and target talented young people with the 'Essex Disability sport academy.

Active Family fun days will run in green open spaces across the borough in 2009.  Melbourne Park has been used very successfully for the last 2 years to host the NW Chelmsford fun day.  Green open spaces/parks will be used in each of the other priority areas to host similar events for residents.

Chelmsford Library – Essex Blind Charity run surgery and staffed information point.  The library service is developing the concept of Libraries as front door to the council but it is taking this further and exploring how through partnership working we can make libraries the centre of our communities. Examples include Chelmsford Library – Essex Blind Charity run surgery and staffed information point.

Active Chelmsford held the ‘Play Tennis’ open day to increase the participation of children, adults aged 19-45 with over 400 participants.

£100k has been obtained from the DCSF play builder fund for 2 new play areas in areas of identified need. In addition major refurbishment will be made to the play areas in Saltcoat Park in South Woodham Ferrers.

Active Chelmsford Network have an Olympic Legacy Fund (from PRG), with a wide range of planned initiatives for the next year, to promote activity, coaching, sports provision and structured activity.

The Chelmsford Showcase this autumn is being organised by Chelmsford Borough Council’s Inward Investment, Economy and Growth team in partnership with the Chelmsford Business Forum. Designed to show the extent of activity, support and the wide range of commercial opportunities in Chelmsford, it will be an opportunity to experience everything Chelmsford has to offer to the business community and of major benefit to existing businesses, start-ups and those intending to expand or relocate here. The event will feature a series of informative seminars and a showcase of 30 or more exhibitors, who will be providing advice, help and guidance to businesses.  Chelmsford Borough Council in partnership with Invest Essex, have held a series of events to promote inward investment and secure high value jobs in Chelmsford. This is an ongoing priority supported by the Chelmsford Borough Council’s Inward Investment, Economy & Growth Team, which is dedicated to providing a range of services to encourage new commercial investment and jobs within the area.

Chelmsford Borough Council’s spatial planning strategy identifies series of development opportunity sites that are critical to attracting inward investment. This includes 38 town centre development opportunity sites and 3 new strategic employment areas (two in north Chelmsford and Temple Farm to the south of the town). Together these opportunities are proactively promoted by the Council though its inward investment activity. To help facilitate this, a Chelmsford Commercial Agents and Developers Network has been established.  Chelmsford Borough Council is renowned for hosting innovative, high quality inward investment events, designed to encourage increased inward investment. In October 2008, for example, the Council, Invest Essex, EEDA and East of England International worked together to promote Chelmsford, Essex and the region to an invited audience at the Guildhall London. The Borough Council also works closely with these organisations in handling major inward investment enquiries. The Borough Council also holds local events that include specific tours of opportunity sites to potential investors.

Chelmsford Borough Council is working with ECC and EEDA to identify a suitable location for a Chelmsford Clean Tech Innovation Centre to provide an opportunity for high vale innovative business start ups within the Borough. A full business case has been prepared to take this initiative forward.

CBC adopted the Chelmsford Town Centre Area Action Plan in August 2008 which promotes an urban design framework to direct development and public realm investment in the Town Centre.  A number of key opportunity areas such as Chelmer Waterside, Land east of the High Street and the former ARU campus are identified which when redeveloped will provide significant new shopping and housing with associated public realm and infrastructure improvements.  A Plan for South Woodham Ferrers Supplementary Planning Document was adopted in June 2008 and sets out guidance for the regeneration of South Woodham Ferrers, in particular the town centre.  The development of the first phase of redundant car parking and service yards to the East of High Street which has provided 72 new homes, shops and restaurants and has opened up public access along the river via a new decked walkway.  The re-development of the main Chelmsford bus station and depot within Chelmsford’s West End has provided a modern new bus interchange, shops, business and 170 new homes.

The Addressing Inequalities in Chelmsford Plan (2009-11) has identified a key priority to engage adults in a wider range of learning opportunities to improve employment prospects and will introduce local initiatives to reflect this. (please see the section Community Engagement for overview of the plan).  Working closely with many partners, including Chelmsford College, Jobcentre Plus, Citizens Advice Bureau and Mid Essex Enterprise Agency, Chelmsford Borough Council has launched a new initiative on 2 June 2009, to support residents that have been made redundant or are facing the prospect of redundancy.  The new initiative, called “Redundancy Initiative: Supporting Enterprise”, or RISE for short, provides a wide range of advice and support to people in the following areas:

· Dealing with redundancy

· Identifying career options

· Improving professional skills

· Professional networking

· Starting or buying a business

The service provides direct support to people who want to get straight back into work and also guidance on training options to either enhance existing skills or develop entirely new ones to progress their career or move into a totally new role.  The redundancy support service also provides help and advice on starting a new business.  The Pathways Learning Guide referred to in earlier paragraphs provides support and information to improve employment prospects.

In support of developing sustainable communities, the Council has one of the most significant regeneration agendas in the country, focusing on major growth areas, such as the Thames and Haven Gateways, and those with significant deprivation, such as Jaywick in Tendring. Essex County Council has helped the Haven Gateway and Chelmsford/Heart of Essex achieve Growth Point status with Communities and Local Government, thereby leveraging in £20 million of new funding.