Regeneration MK strategy

Draft RegenerationMK Strategyfor Milton Keynes

2014 - 2020

www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/regeneration

We would like your views on the draftRegenerationMK Strategy for Milton Keynes

Draft RegenerationMK Strategy for Milton Keynes 2014 - 2020

IntroductionI am delighted, as Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holderfor Housing and Regeneration at Milton KeynesCouncil to introduce the RegenerationMK 2020Strategy consultation.

In 2009, Milton Keynes Council launched its firstNeighbourhood Regeneration Strategy. With anambitious vision to transform the life prospects of the

most deprived residents, the strategy kicked off a programme which focusedon improving the social, physical and economic resources in priorityneighbourhoods. The approach of the strategy was driven by the view thatactive, empowered communities will drive the shape of their neighbourhoodsand the services they receive to deliver a shared vision for the area.

Over five years later and RegenerationMK’s focus on People, Place andProsperity is firmly placed at the centre of the Council’s priorities, and progressis clear to see. Considerable investment has been made in supporting localregeneration priorities across Milton Keynes, with over £2million of additionalresources secured to deliver community projects. The NeighbourhoodEmployment Programme has established itself as one of the region’s bestperforming employment programmes, offering local, tailored support to thosepeople and places most in need, resulting in over 3000 people receivingsupport and an employment success rate that far exceeds other nationallyprovided resources. And finally, the process has started through which theCouncil, if successful, will establish a strategic partnership to enable significant,long term, housing led regeneration in some of our most deprivedneighbourhoods. This partnership will drive physical renewal and furthersupport the delivery of social and economic objectives.

This is a good start, but there is still much to do. The economic downturn andresulting cuts in public spending means that some of our residents are facingincreasing challenges. Deprivation levels remain significant within key estates,and while unemployment in MK is relatively low, in these communities peopleare still struggling to get reasonably paid work, with a continued reliance onbenefits and social housing. Child poverty is a real concern, and increasing fuel

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prices married with the declining condition of some of our homes means thatfuel poverty is on the rise. It is perhaps then not surprising that some of ourresidents can expect to live 11 years less than their more affluent neighbours.This is unacceptable.

The need to tackle these issues through regeneration is ever more critical. Butlasting change will only happen by bringing communities together andbuilding their ability to have a voice and be equal partners in affecting positivechange.

Please respond to this consultation and have your say about RegenerationMK2020.

Hannah O’Neill

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What do we mean by regeneration?Regeneration is about making tomorrow’s world better.It is about taking physical, economic and social action to help people inneighbourhoods experiencing multiple deprivation reverse the decline andbring about lasting improvement across our city. It is about more thanproperty development. It is about enabling communities that will last,achieved through engagement and involvement with our residents tounderstand every issue, every aspiration. Regeneration should not only makepeople feel better, but it should also make people proud to be a part of it.

Why do we need regeneration in Milton Keynes?Over the past year Community Mobilisers have collected feedback fromresidents living in some of our high need areas. From 1st April 2013 to 31stMarch 2014, the Community Mobiliser service logged 5068 conversationswhich, when analysed, reveal common themes and local priorities.

Communities want to feel empowered and have ownership of local activities,they want support to improve and maintain the physical spaces in theirneighbourhood, and they want support to increase skills and get a job. Linkclick here.

2 The Community Mobiliser service is commissioned by Milton Keynes Council. The service works in partnership withagencies delivering in communities, to engage with residents and support and enable greater local involvement.

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http://www.communityactionmk.org/mobiliser-areas/


National dataThe Government collects a nationalset of measures called the Index ofMultiple Deprivation (IMD) . Thesemeasures are used to assess everyestate across the UK in the areas ofincome, employment, health,education and skills, barriers tohousing and services, crime and theliving environment.In Milton Keynes we have 7 estateswhich are classified by the IMD asbeing within the 15% most deprivedestates in the country, and anadditional 7 estates which areclassified as being within the 20%most deprived.

Local dataWe have a rich source of local datain Milton Keynes, which can be usedto inform where our resources aremost needed. Analysing this datareveals an identical geographicalpattern of need to that identified bythe IMD. The significant challenges withinplaces most in need are:• On average 4% claim out of work

benefits where unemployment isdouble the MK average;

• 20% of children across MK areclassified as being in poverty, withlevels of up to 40% in areas ofhigh unemployment;

• Approximately 30% of adults haveno qualifications versus an MKaverage of 18%;

• Average annual householdincome of £16k;

• Life expectancy at birth 11 yearsless than that in the most affluentMK estates;

• Poor and deteriorating housingcondition, with non-standardbuild and poor thermal efficiencyresulting in increasing incidentsof fuel poverty.

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1 The current version of the IMD was produced in 2010. A refreshed version will be produced in 2015.


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RegenerationMK 2020 VisionMilton Keynes Council is committed to ensuring that everyone who lives,works and plays in Milton Keynes can access all that it has to offer and canenjoy a high quality of life.

Our draft vision for RegenerationMK blends this corporate ambition with ourcommitment to respond to the needs we know exist.

“The vision is of a Milton Keynes that is a place where people’s surroundingsmake their lives better, where barriers are removed between people andjobs, where ambitions can be realised and where communities areempowered to prosper and take ownership of their future.”

The vision is supported by three strategic priorities that contribute directly tothe strategic objectives of Milton Keynes Council:

1. People

We will encourage the active participation of local residents, raise localaspirations, support community networks and enable communityownership. We will proactively seek to improve quality of life, reduceinequality, promote respect, social cohesion and create inclusivecommunities that instil pride in those who live and work there.

2. Place

We will deliver transformational change across the city focusing onidentified priority areas for investment. We will support and deliverambitious schemes of mixed tenure development providing high qualityliving opportunities for existing and new residents and in doing so seek tocreate vibrant, welcoming and safe places to live and work. We will seek todeliver a befitting legacy for current and future communities that is clean,safe, desirable and enjoyable.

3. Prosperity

We will improve skill, employment and income levels of residents,concentrating on those most in need. We will seek to unlockentrepreneurial talent, re-invest in the local economy, develop fit for futureskills across our communities and enhance educational attainment.

These priorities will be supported by Milton Keynes Council’s One Councilambition:

One CouncilWe will maximise investment in Milton Keynes from the private, public andcommunity sectors in line with our regeneration priorities and ambitions.

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Achieving the visionOur success over the past five years, and our learning, highlights a clear set ofprinciples driving a proactive and dynamic approach to regenerationdelivery in Milton Keynes. This strategy will continue this good practice whiledeveloping new ways of working to respond to emerging opportunities andensuring the best possible value for money.

LeadershipMilton Keynes Council will positively lead regeneration, taking a clear andconsistent position to ensure the desired outcomes are achieved.

PartnershipRegeneration cannot be delivered without partnership. We will form, developand promote strong partnerships with public, private and the third sector,and where appropriate share resources to build on strengths and avoidduplication, maximising benefits for local people.

EmpowermentWe will encourage active participation of local residents in all aspects ofregeneration, raising local aspirations and building capacity based on acommunity development approach.

EqualityUsing evidence we will build on our targeted approach to focus regenerationefforts on those people and places most in need. Success will be defined bythe impact made on most deprived communities.

Local benefitThe council is fully committed to ensuring that local people fully benefit fromthe opportunities generated by the physical regeneration across the city. Wewill ensure that our major projects deliver improved local employment,education and quality of life outcomes focusing these benefits on thosepeople and places most in need.

QualitySustainable regeneration can only be achieved through the highest qualitydesign and delivery. We will deliver the very best quality we can afford acrossall elements of regeneration, meeting the needs of our communities now,and in the future.


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PEOPLEPLACE

PROSPERITY

Available in audio, large print, braille and other languages

01908 252320

RegenerationMKMilton Keynes Council

Civic Offices1 Saxon Gate East

Central Milton KeynesMK9 3EJ

www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/regeneration

Regeneration MK strategy

Documents

Transcript of Regeneration MK strategy