A NEW framework for the future of the local community is a step closer after a special meeting last week.

Over 130 people representing business, education, the voluntary sector, health, councils and the police met at Crewe Hall on Thursday to establish a community plan.

A presentation from the Henly Centre for Forecasting showed the borough to already have a pleasant environment, strong transport links, a good small business sector and a good level of basic skills.

But areas where positive change was needed were also pointed out and the delegates identified the following six key priorities:

Giving the area a better image and believing more in ourselves

Attracting quality jobs

Commitment to learning

Improving levels of health and well-being

A better deal for young people

Fairness of opportunity

The priorities will form the backbone of a Draft Community Plan, to be sent to every household in the borough, on which everyone will have a chance to comment.

Each area will be tackled head-on by the Borough Forum once the plan has been finalised at the end of the summer.

Michelle Harrison, of the Henley Centre, told delegates this was just the first step on a long process.

"You must be prepared to commit to this process for the next two decades. The road to prosperity takes time and cannot be achieved in a short space of time," she said.

John Williams, of the Borough Forum, said he was delighted by the early success of the scheme.

"The response from the delegates has been tremendous. There was so much energy and enthusiasm about the entire process and I am sure that bodes well for the future," he said.

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