Vision for the Future puts People at its Heart

South Tyneside Council has approved a 20-year vision for the Borough that promotes happy, healthy and fulfilled lives for its residents.

The Vision is based on five core ‘Ambitions.’ These are for residents in South Tyneside to be: 

·         financially secure;

·         healthy and well throughout their lives;

·         connected to jobs, skills, and learning;

·         part of strong communities.

And, underpinning all of this, the Council wants to

·         target support to make things fairer.

The renewed Vision is a result of intensive engagement with thousands of residents, businesses, partners, council employees and elected members over the past six months and puts local people at its heart.

The vision has been welcomed by partners from across the Borough.

Chief Superintendent Barrie Joisce, Area Commander for Southern at Northumbria Police, said: “This is a really exciting time within South Tyneside and the vision will help to give all organisations and the community real clarity of purpose as to what we are here to achieve. From a Northumbria Police perspective, this is about making sure our communities feel safe. The work we do around reducing crime and anti-social behaviour whilst protecting vulnerable people, sits at the heart of the vision and I’m confident that by working in collaboration with our partners we will achieve the vision and improve the quality of life for local residents.”

Jo Benham – Brown, Business Development and Communities Manager at Key said: “As a charity firmly embedded in the community in South Tyneside it’s wonderful to see such a comprehensive plan that supports the activities of young people and families to flourish and thrive here in South Tyneside and make the most of their potential.”

Huw Lewis, Customer Services Director at Nexus said: “We are completely behind South Tyneside’s 20-year vision for the future. Public transport is all about connecting people to places and connecting people to opportunities. We’ll be working with South Tyneside Council on better bus services, on more frequent metro services and delivering a brand new metro fleet. All of that is going to make it easier to get around. It’s going to make it easier for people to access opportunities. It’s going to create a brighter future for the Borough.”

Over the next 20 years, working alongside key partners, the Council will focus its ambition, energy, and resources on tackling the biggest and most fundamental societal issues facing residents.

Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council said: “This is more than just a vision; it is a clear plan of how we are going to make the most difference to the lives of our residents.

“We know that our communities continue to face significant challenges that affect their health, happiness, and quality of life. The last few years have exposed and widened the inequality gap between our most and least affluent communities – the 20-year vision directly addresses that.

“We want everyone in South Tyneside to have a good life and equal access to opportunities. We have listened to our communities and reviewed the most up-to-date evidence. We promise to keep the conversation with local people going as we move forward in the development of our delivery plans.”

The Council will focus its resources over the medium term to contribute to the delivery of the 20 Year Vision and its Ambitions.

You can read the 20-year vision for South Tyneside at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/vision