Common use of LOCAL CHALLENGES Clause in Contracts

LOCAL CHALLENGES. 9.1 Much has been achieved in East Ayrshire since 2003, when the Community Plan was first launched. The Community Planning Partnership has demonstrated success through partnership working. We have a firm foundation on which to build, whilst recognising that there is still much to address if we are to achieve the vision for East Ayrshire. The challenges for East Ayrshire, which are relevant to the Scottish Government’s 15 National Outcomes include: • population in decline: East Ayrshire’s population has been shown in recent years to be both declining and ageing – this trend will continue; • protecting children: the number of children in need of protection as a result of addiction and/or domestic abuse issues in the family has increased significantly over the last 5 years. The challenge is to further develop an integrated approach to preventing abuse of children in relation to this whilst at the same time address the issues of addiction and domestic abuse within the family; • health inequalities: there is evidence to suggest that the biggest challenge for Scotland and East Ayrshire is the need to tackle health inequalities and close the gap between the most and least deprived communities; • the economy: Partners are committed to developing the economy as a whole, with a particular focus on business and industry as well as maximising opportunities available to East Ayrshire in terms of its natural and built environment, its heritage and culture and its location in relation to regional assets, such as areas of business growth and new jobs. Regenerating our towns and villages is seen as an essential component if we are to strengthen and grow our local economy; • transport connections: the challenge in respect of transport is to develop an integrated and sustainable transport system to further improve accessibility to town centres, and road and rail links between East Ayrshire communities and beyond; and • poverty and deprivation: East Ayrshire as a whole has significantly higher levels of poverty than the Scottish average, with sharp contrasts in the prosperity of communities across the local authority area. Again, we need to close the gap between the most and least deprived communities.

LOCAL CHALLENGES. 9.1 7.1 Much has been achieved in East Ayrshire since 2003, when the Community Plan was first launched. The Community Planning Partnership has demonstrated success through partnership working. We have a firm foundation on which to build, whilst recognising that there is still much to address if we are to achieve the vision for East Ayrshire. The challenges for East Ayrshire, which are relevant to the Scottish Government’s 15 National Outcomes include: • population in decline: East Ayrshire’s population has been shown in recent years to be both declining and ageing – this trend will continue; • protecting children: the number of children in need of protection as a result of addiction and/or domestic abuse issues in the family has increased significantly over the last 5 years. The challenge is to further develop an integrated approach to preventing abuse of children in relation to this whilst at the same time address the issues of addiction and domestic abuse within the family; • health inequalities: there is evidence to suggest that the biggest challenge for Scotland and East Ayrshire is the need to tackle health inequalities and close the gap between the most and least deprived communities; • the economy: Partners are committed to developing the economy as a whole, with a particular focus on business and industry as well as maximising opportunities available to East Ayrshire in terms of its natural and built environment, its heritage and culture and its location in relation to regional assets, such as areas of business growth and new jobs. Regenerating our towns and villages is seen as an essential component if we are to strengthen and grow our local economy; • transport connections: the challenge in respect of transport is to develop an integrated and sustainable transport system to further improve accessibility to town centres, and road and rail links between East Ayrshire communities and beyond; and • poverty and deprivation: East Ayrshire as a whole has significantly higher levels of poverty than the Scottish average, with sharp contrasts in the prosperity of communities across the local authority area. Again, we need to close the gap between the most and least deprived communities.

LOCAL CHALLENGES. 9.1 7.1 Much has been achieved in East Ayrshire since 2003, when the Community Plan was first launched. The Community Planning Partnership has demonstrated success through partnership working. We have a firm foundation on which to build, whilst recognising that there is still much to address if we are to achieve the vision for East Ayrshire. The challenges for East Ayrshire, which are relevant to the Scottish Government’s 15 National Outcomes include: • population in decline: East Ayrshire’s population has been shown in recent years to be both declining and ageing – this trend will continue; • protecting children: the number of children in need of protection as a result of addiction and/or and / or domestic abuse issues in the family has increased significantly over the last 5 years. The challenge is to further develop an integrated approach to preventing abuse of children in relation to this whilst at the same time address the issues of addiction and domestic abuse within the family; • health inequalities: there is evidence to suggest that the biggest challenge for Scotland and East Ayrshire is the need to tackle health inequalities and close the gap between the most and least deprived communities; • the economy: Partners are committed to developing the economy as a whole, with a particular focus on business and industry as well as maximising opportunities available to East Ayrshire in terms of its natural and built environment, its heritage and culture and its location in relation to regional assets, such as areas of business growth and new jobs. Regenerating our towns and villages is seen as an essential component if we are to strengthen and grow our local economy; • transport connections: the challenge in respect of transport is to develop an integrated and sustainable transport system to further improve accessibility to town centres, and road and rail links between East Ayrshire communities and beyond; and • poverty and deprivation: East Ayrshire as a whole has significantly higher levels of poverty than the Scottish average, with sharp contrasts in the prosperity of communities across the local authority area. Again, we need to close the gap between the most and least deprived communities.