Big Local North East Hastings: Getting Started.pdf

Between May and September 2013, Hastings Voluntary Action led a consortium of Community Engagement specialists to undertake an in-depth engagement exercise with the residents of North East Hastings. The area has a population of approximately 8,000 people and comprises parts of three electoral wards. The aim was to provide intelligence to enable the North East Hastings Big Local Partnership to invest £1 million over the next 10 years to make a massive and lasting positive difference to their communities. The "Getting Started" phase is about starting the conversation and empowering local residents. A series of events, road-shows, on-line and leaflet surveys were undertaken together with on-line and social media opportunities for residents to comment and give their ideas. Interactions with over 750 people were concluded providing 'reach' into all parts of the Big Local area. Considerable interest was shown in the initiative with 88 people wishing to become more involved in running Big Local. A total of 41 individuals came forward to volunteer in the local area.

A sense of community was regarded as having a sense of community but with a general feeling that there was not enough to do and that there should be more opportunities for learning, training and acquiring skills. Affordability was a big issue with a sense that those on low incomes could easily be "priced out" emphasizing a need for low cost access to sports and leisure opportunities. Community Centres were regarded as important resources which were running – or had the potential to run – a programme of activities. However, it was felt that more could be done to improve networking and collaboration so that best use was made of resources.

Young people's needs came across strongly in the consultation with frequent requests for leisure opportunities, a safe place to meet and 'hang-out' and designated space and facilities for skate-boarding. It was also felt that more could be done to provide young people with greater opportunities to get involved with their local community in interesting and useful ways. Strengthening links between schools/academies and local communities was regarded as important.

Transport and access were regarded as generally poor – particularly during evenings and Sundays. The limitations of Ore Station in terms of access for those with mobility issues, its location and sense of safety was also raised. The conditions of roads and pavements were highlighted as areas of concern and the implications of the Bexhill to Hastings Link Road were raised in terms of potential traffic increase and congestion.

The look and feel of the area was regarded as needing improvement with fly-tipping, dog-mess, some anti-social behaviour, and litter perceived as problems. The need to "art up" the area was emphasized with local initiatives like Ore in Bloom cited as examples of something which could be done to positively contribute to the feel of the local neighbourhood. De-cluttering signage to improve the look of the area together with clean-ups and prompt responses to littering and low level nuisance were also raised. The importance of access to local shops was identified repeatedly with concern being raised about the issues faced by "independent" long-standing traders faced with increased competition from super-markets, on-line shopping and more corporate retailers. Access to green space was regarded as significant across all areas and age groups. The need to protect existing green space such as Speckled Wood and the Village Green, safe areas for dog-walkers and places to enjoy the open air came across strongly from all ages.

The consultation exercise captured a wide range of perspectives and in the words of Jim Boot, the consultant to the Big Local Trust, "has produced an excellent and very thorough community profile which will move the area a long way forward". It was presented to the Interim Steering Group in September 2013 who endorsed its contents and findings. A programme of work is being planned which will take forward the recommendations and priorities for action identified in the consultation exercise.