A new plan has been launched to bring key groups together to boost the quality of life for Castle Point residents.

The Castle Point Local Strategic Partnership has been designed to link people from Castle Point Council, Essex County Council, South Essex Primary Care Trust, Essex Police, and the voluntary and private sectors.

A steering group for the partnership has produced a community strategy document which was unveiled at the weekend's Castle Point show.

Now the partnership wants to hear what residents think about the Community Strategy before an official consultation in September.

In an opening speech for the partnership, Tory Canvey councillor Ray Howard said: "Our common agenda is to make life better for all.

"We have a particular set of challenges which we can only seek to resolve by working in partnership - between the county and the council along with primary care trusts and other key agencies.

"The county is supporting fully Local Strategic Partnerships and is seeking close bilateral working relationships with all our partners, particularly districts and boroughs.

"Importantly, developments through Thames Gateway South Essex Partnership, and developments being heralded in the Deputy Prime Minister's Communities Plan, are important issues for us all to address together."

The partnership is to focus on matters such as learning for all, making Castle Point greener and cleaner, regenerating the local economy, becoming healthier, feeling safer, and getting around.

Copies of the Community Strategy are available by calling 01268 882200 or by email communitystrategy@castlepoint.gov.uk

Published Tuesday, July 1, 2003

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