The theme of this the fourth session in the 2009 'Strong and Prosperous Communities' series concerned the roles public agencies play in 'Creating a Sense Wellbeing' within local communities. An exploration of the issues involved, it examined the challenge of taking a collective approach across local agencies, with communities and with local people.
This session and the series overall was set a against the background of the outworking of the Review of Public Administration which, over the next couple of years, will see a much greater emphasis on securing outcomes for local communities take account of local priorities. The big external driver will be the state of the economy and the fiscal tightening that will ensue.
Wellbeing is often perceived as being about 'thriving, not just surviving'. While it has many dimensions and individual constructs, at the local level wellbeing is about communities feeling hopeful, healthy and sustainable. To a significant extent it is about having access to a valued local infrastructure of amenities, services and opportunities; and about feeling safe and secure. The issues involved are closely related to those of social inclusion, community regeneration and developing good relations between communities. But, 'Creating a Sense of Wellbeing' is also about creating a sense that change is possible while being realistic about what can be achieved.
Helping us to explore this theme and some of the issues involved were Dr Jo Farrar, Chief Executive of Bridgend County Borough Council in Wales, Omagh Councillor Dr Josephine Deehan, Mary McDonnell, from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, and Joanne Morgan, Director of the Community Development and Health Network.
The 'Strong and Prosperous Communities' series looks to the outworking of this agenda. It aims to bring locally based managers together so that, on the basis of those interests and concerns they share, they can get to know one another and begin the process of developing the sort of mutual understanding and personal regard that underpin successful collaborations. Each workshop in the series asks them to reflect, not just on the functions and services they are individually responsible for, but more generally on ways in which local managers representing different agencies can better work together to achieve positive outcomes for the communities they serve. This workshop is then for locally based senior managers in government departments and agencies, in local and other public authorities including the police, fire and health services -- for those whose roles and activities have a bearing on the wellbeing of local communities.
Workshop Programme: Click the link for a downloadable copy of the agenda.
Organised in co-operation with SOLACEni and the local Government Staff Commission.
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