Themes and Priorities

The draft of the new Community Strategy has been shaped by a range of influences and factors:

• International, nation, regional and sub regional trends and policies
• West Berkshire Council:
  • its current attributes and strengths
  • current areas of concern
  • local trends - including those that are emerging and those that are expected to develop up to 2025
• Our communities
  • quality of life
  • parish planning
• Delivering with limited resources

Many of these issues are covered in more detail within the following two supporting documents:

'Quality of Life Report for West Berkshire' produced by the LSP.

'District Profile' produced by West Berkshire Council.

Proposed Themes and Priorities for West Berkshire up to 2025

Theme 1 - A Prosperous West Berkshire

• Reduce the skills gap
• Provide sufficient housing to accommodate continued economic prosperity and increase the provision of affordable housing
• Increase the employment rate within key groups
• Increase retail spend withing Newbury and Thatcham Town Centres
• Increase employment within rural areas

Theme 2 - An Accessible District

• Seek to limit future traffic growth
• Improve accessibility in rural areas
• Ensure local services remain accessible to the population they serve

Theme 3 - A Greener District

• Protect the countryside and increase the diversity of local wildlife
• Reduce West Berkshire's carbon footprint by:
  • increasing the use of renewable energy and becoming more energy efficient
  • reducing waste and increasing recycling
  • increasing the proportion of food consumed from local sources
  • encouraging sustainable travel

Theme 4 - A Safer District

• Reduce crime and the fear of crime
• Reduce anti-social behaviour
• Reduce speeding and the number of injuries and deaths on the roads

Theme 5 - A Stronger District

• Create a stronger sense of belonging to West Berkshire and more cohesive local communities
• Reduce inequality in the health of local people
• Ensure more young people are enjoying life and achieving more
• Increase the number of older people who live independently
• Ensure the vulnerable are safe