Teignbridge Strategic Partnership

What is the Teignbridge Strategic Partnership?

The Teignbridge Strategic Partnership (TSP) is a group that seeks to co-ordinate the work of many of the partnerships that exist in Teignbridge and lead in the projects that deliver the aims of the Teignbridge Community Strategy.  Partnership members are Teignbridge District Council, Devon County Council, Police, Fire Service, Health - Devon Primary Care Trust, Teignbridge Council for Voluntary Service, Dartmoor National Park Authority, Environment Agency,Teign Housing,  Community and Voluntary Group representatives and Federation of Small Businesses .

What is a Community Strategy? 

The production of a Community Strategy is a legal duty shared by all County, District and Unitary Councils.

The focus of a Strategy is on the needs and priorities of the people and communities in Teignbridge expressed in terms of quality of life.The main issues are identified, what specific actions should be taken and who should be involved.

If all organisations work with the people and communities of Teignbridge to agree on what the important issues are and what needs to be done to deal with them; and if they agree to tackle these priorities together, then there is the best possible chance of success.

There were some significant successes for the benefit of local people from the first Teignbridge Community Strategy , 2003-2006 , including NHS dentists , Community Safety Wardens, and Community Computers. Community Strategy 2003-06 [4Mb]

We now have a new Community Strategy for Teignbridge , from 2007-2011: Teignbridge Community Strategy 2007-2011 [10Mb]

• Develop a long-term vision for the area, focusing on the outcomes that are to be achieved;
• Agree what local services and developments are needed and agree an action plan;
• Ensure joint commitment to achieving targets and goals and to monitoring progress;
• Involve local people and communities throughout.

However, the Strategy cannot cover everything and cannot meet everybody's aspirations.It also needs to be realistic.  Resources are limited and some services must conform to minimum legal requirements and central Government targets and expectations.  Patterns of investment in services, facilities, people and communities cannot change overnight. However, change and improvement is possible and the community planning process reflects the commitment to achieve the best we can with the resources at our disposal.

What is the Teignbridge Community Planning Alliance (Forum)?

The Forum was formed in 1999 to help with the development and delivery of the Teignbridge Community Strategy. It's membership is drawn from communities, voluntary organisations, businesses and public sector organisations, to be as widely representative as possible.

A shared vision for Teignbridge

We want Teignbridge to be a place where everyone is able to access locally :

•   healthcare, social care and education
•   open spaces and recreational areas
•   public and community buildings
•   internet resources
•   day-to-day living needs without the necessity for private transport;

   In addition :

• new businesses will be promoted and existing businesses will be encouraged to be successful and will be retained in the District as they grow;

• the environment including the home and businesses will be clean, green & safe ;

• the housing needs in Teignbridge will be tackled, especially the needs of our young people and the elderly;

• Individuals, including volunteers and their communities will be encouraged and given support to help themselves.

The Teignbridge Community Strategy

As a result of the consultation the following 7 themes have been identified for the new 2007 Teignbridge Community Strategy:

• Business learning and employment opportunities;
• Communications;
• Developing safer and stronger communities;
• Healthy living and leisure;
• Housing;
• Looking after the environment;
• Access to services, including transport.

The Teignbridge Strategic Partnership (TSP) held 32 consultation road shows across the district for the review of the Strategy for the people of Teignbridge to have their say on what they feel is most important to them, what needs changing and improving.  A map (available as a download) shows the locations of where these road shows were held. Further consultation was held with various hard to reach groups.

The top 15 issues arising from the consultation were:

• Provision of appropriate housing - for young families;
• Protection of local environment around housing and villages;
• Protection of wildlife and habitats;
• Encouraging a culture of responsibility for the environment;
• Traffic congestion in urban areas;
• Access to safe play and leisure activities;
• Lack of transport (different types) in rural areas;
• Renewable energy e.g. wind, wave, hydro, biomass (woodchip fuel, manure);
• Access to health and leisure activities;
• Public transport not co-ordinated or at right times for work etc;
• Better information for residents - more information that people need;
• High fares on public transport;
• Provision of appropriate housing - for care of the elderly;
• Encourage communities to reduce their impact on the environment;
• Better variety of businesses in the area.

What happens next ?

Theme groups will be set up between December 2006 & May 2007 to identify 5 year action plans for each of the themes.From June 2007 partnership project groups will be formed on a task & finish basis to tackle the issues that need to be improved.If you are interested in being involved please contact Teignbridge Strategic Partnership officer Tel: 01626 215872

The latest TSP newsletters can be accessed here: