"Shaping Futures" - a draft Sustainable Community Strategy for West Oxfordshire

A Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS) is a strategic plan and long term vision for the District which sets out the highest level priorities for the sustainable development of the economic, environmental and social well being of the area.

A Sustainable Community Strategy for the District

Preparation of "Shaping Futures", the Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS) for West Oxfordshire is the responsibility of the West Oxfordshire Strategic Partnership (WOSP). Once completed "Shaping Futures" will provide the strategic vision for West Oxfordshire as a place, identify shared priorities for action and set out how to address some of the more difficult cross cutting issues. It is an opportunity for organisations working in West Oxfordshire to jointly plan to address community needs in circumstances where partnership action can add value and make a difference over and above what might be achieved individually.

Consultation on the draft Strategy

A 12-week period of consultation took place between July and September this year. A summary of the consultation responses was then considered by an Independent Advisory Group made up of key partners, to help inform the redrafting of the overall strategy and delivery plan. The final strategy documents will be approved during October, and launched towards the end of November.

Next steps

As well as planning the launch event in November, work is ongoing to finalise the Delivery Plan and associated performance measures that will enable us to measure the successful implementation of "Shaping Futures". Part of this process is to review the current membership and governance of WOSP, and to make sure these allow us to implement the strategy effectively. This review is underway, and should be completed and new arrangements in place by March 2009.

"Shaping Futures" will link closely to the future spatial planning of the area through the emerging Local Development Framework which will replace the existing Local Plan. This will ensure the community and spatial planning of the District is progressed in a coordinated way.

Oxfordshire 2030

The Oxfordshire Partnership is producing a Sustainable Community Strategy for Oxfordshire, called "Oxfordshire 2030". This links closely to "Shaping Futures", and sets a vision for the future of the County as a whole. The Oxfordshire Partnership also consulted between July and September, and is redrafting the draft strategy and delivery plan in light of the feedback received. It is anticipated that Oxfordshire 2030 will be completed in November 2008. For further details please visit the Oxfordshire Partnership website or email oxfordshirepartnership@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

For more information please complete the General Enquiry Form or telephone (01993) 861521 or write to:
West Oxfordshire Strategic Partnership, c/o Chief Executive, West Oxfordshire District Council, Woodgreen, Witney OX28 1NB