Sustainable Community Strategy

A Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS) is the over-arching long-term vision for a local area.

The requirement to prepare Sustainable Community Strategies applies to both district and county councils ( Section 4 of the Local Government Act 2000).

Government guidance on preparing a SCS is included as part of the Communities and Local Government publication 'Strong, Safe and Prosperous communities', 2008. The guidance says:

"The purpose of the SCS is to set the overall strategic direction and long-term vision for the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of a local area - typically 10 - 20 years - in a way that contributes to sustainable development in the UK."

It tells the ‘story of the place’ – the distinctive vision and ambition of the area, backed by clear evidence and analysis. The Local Government White Paper, 'Strong and Prosperous Communities' sets out that SCS will provide: "a vehicle for considering and deciding how to address difficult and cross cutting issues such as the economic direction of an area, cohesion, social exclusion and climate change".

A SCS should contain the following elements:

the long-term vision based firmly on local needs – this will be underpinned by a shared evidence base informed by community aspirations
key priorities for the local area, based upon this vision which may realistically be achieved in the medium term – these will inform the strategy’s delivery agreement – the local area agreement (LAA)

In practice, local councils and local strategic partnerships (LSPs) have plenty of scope to decide how they want to go about preparing and publishing an SCS. The end product does not have to be submitted to government. Its value is as a vehicle for consulting with local people and with key partners on the long-term priorities for an area.

It also provides a policy framework for several other planning processes

strategies at a higher geographic level, such as sub-regional plans or multi-area agreements (MAAs)
setting the ‘core strategy’ for the local development framework (LDF) – the spatial and land use plan for the area
providing the framework for the three-year outcomes and targets for the LAA.

The Hampshire Sustainable Community Strategy 2008-18 sets out quality of life issues, key trends that impact on Hampshire and 11 long term ambitions to achive the vision that "Hampshire continues to prosper, providing greater opportunity for all without risking the environment."

The Hampshire Local Area Agreement sets out the improvement priorities for Hampshire and includes within it indicators of progress and targets for achievement. The targets against these improvement priorities support Hampshire's long-term ambitions as set out in the Hampshire Sustainable Community Strategy.

Fareham's Local Strategic Partnership (known as networkfareham) is one of 11 LSP's set up at district council level in Hampshire.

Fareham's Sustainable Community Strategy