Tackling socially deprived areas of Worcester , enhancing the city centre and improving the transport infrastructure to help reduce congestion were some of the main areas of concern for delegates attending last week’s City Summit hosted by the Worcester Alliance. Also on the agenda was a discussion about how Worcester can do its bit to tackle climate change and how to adapt to its future impact.

The fourth annual City Summit was used to launch the Community Strategy which sets out the Alliance ’s five-year vision to help make Worcester a First Rank Cathedral and University City . The Strategy will influence important decisions made at both at a local and national level, including the provision of funds allocated by central government.

With more than 60 delegates, representing almost 40 organisations, at the Summit there was also a lively debate about what the Alliance can do to help make its vision become a reality. The Alliance cannot address all of the challenges facing Worcester ; many are already being tackled effectively by individual organisations across the city and the county. The Alliance has, however, identified four priority projects that it believes can only be achieved by organisations working in partnership. They are:

1: Focus on Warndon and Gorse Hill

• Parts of Warndon and Gorse Hill wards are considered by the government to be amongst the most deprived in the country. This means that many people living in these areas lack sufficient income , education and employment opportunities, have poor health and a poor living environment, face barriers to housing and other services, and are under an increased threat of crime. The Alliance intends to help set up an Area Committee, bringing together public service providers and other interested parties, to make a real difference to these wards

2: The City Centre Masterplan

• The centre of Worcester is undergoing many changes, including development of a new University Campus and Joint University and Public Library, regeneration of the riversaide areas and increased development of much needed affordable housing. The City Council is currently producing a masterplan showing how, in the medium to long term, the city centre, the waterfront and the cathedral will be ‘joined up’ and what the key developments to achieve that will be. The Alliance will seek to ensure the Masterplan meet the needs of everyone who lives and works in the city.

3: Improving Transport and Reducing Congestion

• within the city centre.

4: Addressing Climate Change and Adapting to its Impacts

• Man-made climate change is considered by the Alliance to be one of the defining challenges and moral issues facing humanity in the 21 st century. In its role of community leadership the Alliance will make efforts to educate people as to the causes and effects of climate change. It will also encourage the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by its member organisations, and preparation for the impacts that climate change will bring to the city.

The Worcester Alliance is the Local Strategic Partnership for Worcester and has over 40 member organisations from the public, private and voluntary sectors. It was agreed that a summary of the Community Strategy will be sent out to all households in Worcester via the autumn edition of the City Council’s ‘City Life’ magazine.

The Community Strategy for Worcester is available to view at the Alliance ’s website www.worcesteralliance.org.uk , along with full details of the Alliance ’s membership and meetings. Comments are very welcome. The Alliance coordinator can be reached at coordinator@worcesteralliance.org.uk or by calling 01905 722 057.