The Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) for each district will have a sustainable community strategy for their own area. These strategies have clear links to the Somerset-wide strategy and there is a strong correlation between their goals and aims and the over-arching Vision and aims expressed in the main strategy.
Each of the LSPs has also set out what is distinctive in each of their areas and highlighted their top issues or priorities. Links to their websites are available at below.
Mendip
www.mendipstrategicpartnership.org.uk
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Frome, Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet, Street and the Cathedral City of Wells are the main towns in Mendip.
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The district includes part of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and a small section of the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB. Mendip also contains large sections of the Somerset LeveIs. It contains designated sites of environmental importance.
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Glastonbury Tor, Wells Cathedral and the Wookey Hole Caves are popular tourism sites. Clarks Village in Street is an important retail outlet. Lastly the internationally renowned Glastonbury Festival and the annual Royal Bath and West show are held in the district, whilst carnivals are a popular attraction.
Key issues:
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Ensuring affordable decent housing.
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Investing in children and young people.
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Regenerating the Mendip economy.
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Strengthening the voluntary and community sector.
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Tackling climate change locally.
Sedgemoor
www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3101
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The district is centred on the town of Bridgwater, which is identified as a 'significant settlement in the region with planned employment and housing growth.
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The area has the unique wetlands forming the Somerset Levels. Cutting across the Levels and flowing out beyond Bridgwater is the historic and picturesque River Parrett and its tributaries. It has sites and wildlife that are nationally and internationally recognised.
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The area is famous for its carnivals held in late autumn. Its coast from Burnham on Sea to Brean is a tourist attraction. Tourism being important to the local economy.
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The district is a base for manufacturing and logistics, being a good location within the South West for distribution.
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Because of its low level, up to a third of the area is subject to periodic flooding that might increase with time.
Key Issues:
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Making Bridgwater part of the 'engine room' for economic prosperity.
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Tackling the impact of climate change and barriers to regeneration.
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Restructuring the economy, attracting new businesses and jobs as the heart of a new enterprise area. This will include more industries that require higher skills and professional knowledge.
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Improving life in the local deprived neighbourhoods.
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Supporting economic development – particularly skills and attainment, through contributing to the University Centres for Somerset initiative and the Building Schools for the Future project. Managing new investment in Sedgemoor from outside the area.
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Ensuring communities can take advantage of new jobs and training, and can benefit from outside investment.
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Ensuring affordable new housing and decent existing housing.
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Services for the elderly in response to the ageing population.
South Somerset
www.westsomersetstrategicpartnership.co.uk
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South Somerset is the largest district in England, forming much of the eastern side of the county, with nearly a third of the county's population, over 156,000 people in an area of over 370 square miles.
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A third live in Yeovil, a sub-regional centre serving the district and much of West Dorset. A third live in ten other attractive market towns with the rest living in rural areas. There are 121 parishes served by 102 parish and town councils.
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The district has a fascinating environmental, industrial and cultural heritage with over 80 conservation areas and parts of two AONBs.
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Despite high employment levels, wages and educational qualifications are lower than national averages; several wards in Yeovil and Chard are in the 20% most deprived areas of the country.
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The district’s economy is based on high technology firms with RNAS Yeovilton and AgustaWestland being key employers, food processing, tourism and hospitality businesses are also key sectors.
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Demand for homes has led to income ratio in South Somerset of 11.7 compared to 10.7 for England (2008). By 2029 it is predicted that over 90% of the increase in the district's population will be through people aged 60 years old and over.
Key Issues:
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Reducing carbon emissions and adapting to climate change.
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Improving the health and well being of everyone, reducing health inequalities in some areas and groups especially older people.
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Channelling growth to provide good quality affordable accommodation to meet need.
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Increasing prosperity through improving skills and job opportunities for a thriving low carbon economy.
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Improving access to low carbon transport and services.
Taunton Deane
www.tauntondeane.gov.uk/tdbcsites/local_strat_part/index.asp
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Taunton and Wellington are the main towns.
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The landscape varies from the low pastures of the western edge of the Levels to the higher ground of the Quantocks and the Blackdown Hills (both AONBs) with the River Tone snaking its way between them.
Key Issues:
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Reducing rural isolation.
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Addressing low wage and low skill levels.
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Creating a shift in travel behaviour to limit the rate of growth of congestion.
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Building confidence in safer communities, reducing anti-social behaviour and creating a safer night time economy.
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Promoting and enabling healthy lifestyles.
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Addressing the shortage of affordable housing and reduce the number of non-decent homes.
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Tackling the impact of climate change.
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Improving the provision of leisure, arts and cultural opportunities.
West Somerset
www.westsomersetstrategicpartnership.co.uk
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Two thirds of the area is covered by the Exmoor National Park with the highest point in Somerset being Dunkery Beacon at its centre. The Quantocks Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty sits within the Eastern boundary of the district.
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There are many ancient and historic sites including Watchet, Kilve, Dunster Castle and the famous West Somerset Steam Railway running from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead. The District is famous for its connections with Samuel Taylor Coleridge who lived in Watchet and is commemorated in the Coleridge Way.
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30% of all employment in West Somerset is in tourism with Butlins in Minehead and many holiday caravan sites lining the Severn estuary coast to the north.
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Over 30% of the population is over 65 but life expectancy is high.
Key Issues:
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Ensuring adequate affordable housing.
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Having regular and fast public transport to other major towns in the area for students, working people and major cultural events.
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Encouraging economic development that supports employment with decent pay and training.
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Reducing vandalism, bullying and other crime. Dealing with the fear of crime.
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Conserving the environment.
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