Communities
Communities
To create a district of opportunity – a place where our communities can thrive, our people prosper and our environment is cherished for all to enjoy.
Priority 1
Improve the health, wellbeing and quality of life for individuals and families and reduce health inequalities, focusing on prevention and early intervention.
| Title | Outcome | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Working with the Mid Essex Alliance, develop a programme of local activities targeted towards addressing the priorities outlined in the Thriving Places Index. | Future projects and programmes informed to drive better wellbeing and equality. Neighbourhood Teams are shaped and influenced using evidence from the Thriving Places Index. |
March 2025 |
| Continue to support residents and communities impacted by the cost-of-living crisis through initiatives raised by the £1m New Homes Bonus. | Targeted assistance provided, enabling residents to easily access food and essential goods. Additional support reaching those most in need to help address the underlying challenges of the cost-of-living crisis. Young people can access physical and emotional health and wellbeing support. |
|
| Subject to a successful bid for funding from the Football Foundation, build the new 3G Pitch at Witham Sports Ground. | Optimal use of space transformed into a high-quality, low maintenance all-weather surface pitch ideal for playing a diverse range of sports all year round. | |
| In partnership with Healthwatch Essex, host a Fellas Fair event in the district. | Raise awareness of men’s health and wellbeing and provide relevant information on the specific needs and challenges faced by men from all walks of life. |
Priority 2
Provide affordable, high quality and safe homes that meet the needs of our residents.
| Title | Outcome | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Deliver the Home Upgrade grant phase 2 for people living in cold homes or struggling with winter fuel bills. | Grants are made accessible to a wide range of eligible households supporting those who are most in need of energy saving upgrades, enabling less energy usage, a reduction in carbon footprint and lower energy bills. | March 2025 |
| Introduce a landlord incentive scheme | Support and incentives provided to landlords who can offer affordable rented accommodation for local people in need of a home. Support provided to tenants to help them to maintain their tenancy. |
Priority 3
Reduce social isolation and loneliness and support communities to build positive social networks and connections.
| Title | Outcome | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Launch round 2 of the Halstead Community Fund. | Development and improvement of assets that positively impact local communities in Halstead. | December 2024 |
| Continue to work with partners to deliver various activities and initiatives supporting people experiencing loneliness or social isolation. | Providing opportunities for individuals to connect with each other. Implementation of targeted interventions to address loneliness and social isolation. |
March 2025 |
| Award contract and start to build Witham Community Centre. | Contract awarded for the design and build of the community centre and timeline for completion established. | |
| Provide a Community Garden through funding from the Changing Futures Programme. | Increased opportunities for community engagement and social connections while offering therapeutic gardening activities to support people with multiple and complex needs. | |
| Support and expand community-led walking activities to 10 in the district. | Reduce social isolation and encourage people of all ages including those with health and mobility problems and those recovering from illness to walk for their health and enhance their wellbeing. |
Priority 4
Develop safer and more resilient communities, empowering residents to take ownership of local projects and initiatives.
| Title | Outcome | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Through the safer streets funding, prevent violence against women and girls in public, neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour in Halstead. | Deliver practical support and change for women and girls across communities within Halstead. Investment in transformative crime prevention initiatives. Change in attitude and behaviours, lowering crime rates. |
September 2025 |
| Continue to administer the Councillor Community Grant Scheme. | Distribution of funds across the district to non-profit organisations for community projects and initiatives. | March 2025 |
| Oversee the coordination of the Community Action Safety Plan to increase awareness of child exploitation, domestic abuse, fraud and cybercrime. | Distribution of funds across the district to non-profit organisations for community projects and initiatives. | |
| Continue to support local investment in communities through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (year 3). | Funding provided for community activities and initiatives to support a wide range of interventions building pride in place and improving life chances. |
Download the Annual Plan for 2024/25