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. 9.2 In particular, the impact of the recent economic downturn in East Ayrshire has been principally in businesses located within the Council area, but where the ownership and strategic management decisions are taken elsewhere, either on a national or an international basis. The manufacturing industry within East Ayrshire has been significantly affected with over 300 job losses announced in the first two months of 2009. Regrettably, it is anticipated that there will be a continuation of this trend as the recessionary period continues and deepens, which will also have an effect on employment as well as an impact on local services. In this regard, we will ensure that we contribute fully to the delivery of the Scottish Government’s 6-point Economic Recovery Plan. Specific work includes: • providing assistance to support the continued trading position of existing business; • working with the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, the Business Gateway and other agencies to maximise support packages to support existing and start-up businesses; and • working with Jobcentre Plus, the local colleges and a range of local providers to deliver assistance and support to individuals to enhance skills development and employability prospects, both with existing employment and in seeking future employment. 9.3 The challenges we face are accounted for in our SOA and we will work with the Scottish Government to address and meet these, as we contribute to the delivery of the 15 national outcomes. More detailed information in respect of local relevance and priority set alongside the national outcomes is set out in Annex 2, adopting the revised National Outcome Template as part of the SOA Guidance issued in October 2008.

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. 9.2 In particular, the impact of the recent economic downturn in East Ayrshire has been principally in businesses located within the Council area, but where the ownership and strategic management decisions are taken elsewhere, either on a national or an international basis. The manufacturing industry within East Ayrshire has been significantly affected with over 300 job losses announced in the first two months of 2009. Regrettably, it is anticipated that there will be a continuation of this trend as the recessionary period continues and deepens, which will also have an effect on employment as well as an impact on local services. In this regard, we will ensure that we contribute fully to the delivery of the Scottish Government’s 6-point Economic Recovery Plan. Specific work includes: • providing assistance to support the continued trading position of existing business; • working with the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, the Business Gateway and other agencies to maximise support packages to support existing and start-up businesses; and • working with Jobcentre Plus, the local colleges and a range of local providers to deliver assistance and support to individuals to enhance skills development and employability prospects, both with existing employment and in seeking future employment. 9.3 7.2 The challenges we face are accounted for in our SOA and we will work with the Scottish Government to address and meet these, as we contribute to the delivery of the 15 national outcomes. More detailed information in respect of local relevance and priority set alongside the national outcomes is set out in Annex 2Appendix 1, adopting the revised National Outcome Template as part of the SOA Guidance issued in October 2008Note.

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. 9.2 In particular, the impact of the recent economic downturn in East Ayrshire has been principally in businesses located within the Council area, but where the ownership and strategic management decisions are taken elsewhere, either on a national or an international basis. The manufacturing industry within East Ayrshire has been significantly affected with over 300 job losses announced in the first two months of 2009. Regrettably, it is anticipated that there will be a continuation of this trend as the recessionary period continues and deepens, which will also have an effect on employment as well as an impact on local services. In this regard, we will ensure that we contribute fully to the delivery of the Scottish Government’s 6-point Economic Recovery Plan. Specific work includes: • providing assistance to support the continued trading position of existing business; • working with the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, the Business Gateway and other agencies to maximise support packages to support existing and start-up businesses; and • working with Jobcentre Plus, the local colleges and a range of local providers to deliver assistance and support to individuals to enhance skills development and employability prospects, both with existing employment and in seeking future employment. 9.3 7.2 The challenges we face are accounted for in our draft SOA and we will work with the Scottish Government to address and meet these, as we contribute to the delivery of the 15 national outcomes. More detailed information in respect of local relevance and priority set alongside the national outcomes is set out in Annex 2Appendix 1, adopting the revised National Outcome Template as part of the SOA Guidance issued in October 2008Note.