The Mid Sussex Partnership (MSP) held its third biannual conference on the 30th of September 2009. Progress on Sustainable Communities Strategy (MSP agreed strategy) was reported from priorities agreed from the previous MSP Conference March 2009.
Objective
The purpose of the conference was to agree actions on the 9 key priorities the MSP has chosen to concentrate on for the next year. The conference attracted 80 delegates from nearly 50 different partner organisations from across the district including: Transition Mid Sussex, local Resident Associations, Mid Sussex Older People's Council, West Sussex NHS, West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, East Grinstead Business Association, Officers and Councilors from County, District and Town Councils, Sussex Police, Business Link, Learning & Skills Council, Local Town and Parish Councils, Greenfield Guardians, Access All Areas, and may more local groups and organisations.
What was discussed?
September's MSP conference was all about agreeing actions on the 9 identified priorities. It was an energetic and interactive conference, with partners expected to make commitments on how they could help their Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) achieve some of its targets.
The delegates were given the opportunity to break in to six different workshops relating to the partnerships priorities:
1) Water and energy efficiency and adaptation to climate change
2) Projected housing growth and infrastructure
3) Child protection arrangements
4) Understanding and using data about the District
5) Economic growth, business start-ups and economic strategy
6) Making information about health and healthy lifestyles more accessible to local people
Each workshop was given the opportunity voice opinions on the current suggestions and make recommendations for further actions.
The Conference also heard updates for the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership from Adrian Murphy, Fire and Rescue District Commander and Edward De La Rue, Police Chief Inspector Mid Sussex.
Elizabeth Carter, Health Development Officer at Mid Sussex District Council also provided an update from the recently formed Healthy Mid Sussex Partnership.
Suggestions from Workshops
The workshop sessions produced a number of good suggestions for action, including a directory of services relating to safeguarding and child protection, research into business growth sectors, targeting support for existing business and supporting a District-wide awareness campaign on water and energy efficiency.
The Way Forward
Councillor Christopher Snowling, Mid Sussex District Council's Cabinet Member for Health and Community said "It was great to see so many organisations and groups across the District come together wanting to provide positive outcomes for local residents. The Mid Sussex Partnership has been through a rigorous assessment of the Districts priorities and, working together, we are now primed to deliver positive actions on these"
Progress on these actions will be reported to the MSP at the next biannual conference.
The Next MSP Conference: Meridian Hall, East Court, East Grinstead, 19th May 2010. Contact Paul Turner Community Planning Officer 01444 477360 paulmt@midsussex.gov.uk
Downloads/Links
Next MSP Conference:
Thursday 30th September 2010 10:00am - 2:00pm
Adastra Hall, Hassocks.
Contacts
Paul Turner
Community Planning Officer,Member Support & Partnerships,Oaklands ,Haywards Heath, West Sussex Rh16 1SS
01444 477360
