Councillors to discuss new strategy to promote community cohesion and integration

Members of Lancashire County Council's cabinet will be asked to approve the authority's Cohesion and Integration Strategy 2024-2028 at a meeting on Thursday.

Community cohesion plays a crucial role in mitigating inequalities within communities, ensuring that all community members have equal opportunities to thrive. The county council aims to strategically tackle local issues collectively, and address the diverse challenges faced by the communities by collaborating through existing services, partnerships and communities. 

The strategy sets out key priorities to help the council deliver on its ambition to make Lancashire the best place to live, work, visit and prosper.

Our key priority areas will be to:

• Promote Social Inclusion: This objective focuses on ensuring that all members of the community feel valued, respected, and included regardless of their background, ethnicity, religion, or other characteristics.
• Build Trust and Understanding: Developing trust and understanding amongst community members is essential for fostering cohesion.
• Empower Communities: Empowering communities involves giving individuals and groups the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to participate fully in community life.
• Address Conflict and Tension: Conflict and tension can undermine community cohesion. Collaborate with services to address conflict and promoting tolerance.

Positive community engagement is at the heart of the strategy as it allows for diverse perspectives and fosters a sense of belonging and inclusivity. Building trust and confidence requires us to interact with communities and listen to their opinions and values through active participation, consultation, and collaboration.

Cllr Peter Buckley, cabinet member for Community and Cultural Services, said:

"Our vision revolves around promoting community cohesion by fostering an environment where all residents feel valued and included.

"We want Lancashire to be the place where people choose to create a home, raise their children, develop a career, and grow old in.

"We are committed to developing and celebrating our diverse communities, heritage, and landscape to create a strong sense of place where residents lead happier, healthier lives.

"Community cohesion plays a crucial role in mitigating inequalities within communities and by encouraging understanding and collaboration among diverse groups, we can reduce social and economic disparities, ensuring that all community members have equal opportunities to thrive."

You can read the new Cohesion & Integration Strategy 2024-28 here.