A new approach to improving collaboration among residents, the community and voluntary sector (CVS), public sector bodies and businesses has been agreed.
The CommUnity Agreement aims to redefine how these groups work together towards shared goals for the people who live and work in the area.
By bringing these groups together it seeks to improve people’s health, wellbeing, quality of life by investing in community-led initiatives.
North Lanarkshire’s community planning partners have supported the development of the CommUnity Agreement from the outset and at the launch, which took place on Monday 29 April at The Glo Centre in Motherwell.
Jim Quinn, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Area Commander and Vice Chair of the North Lanarkshire Partnership Strategic Leadership Board, praised the strength of the community and voluntary sector in North Lanarkshire and welcomed the agreement’s commitment to collaboration and engagement, saying: “The CommUnity Agreement sets out the shared values and principles that partners and the community and voluntary sector will adopt in our joint work to support improved wellbeing, equality and sustainability.”
Councillor Kenneth Stevenson, Convener of the Communities Committee added, "The North Lanarkshire CommUnity Agreement demonstrates our clear commitment to improving the effectiveness of the way in which community groups co-operate here.
“This agreement is the culmination of extensive community engagement, involving over 500 participants from various backgrounds.”
The engagement included online surveys, community-based focus groups, and a collaborative "design day" voices representing every aspect of North Lanarkshire that contributed to the agreement.
Maddy Halliday, CEO of Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire, said: “Both VANL and CVSPG are delighted that we have worked collectively with volunteers and public sector colleagues to develop the CommUnity agreement and are fully committed to supporting effective implementation.”
Among the participants were residents, members of Community Boards and the Strategic Leadership Board, as well as staff and volunteers from Community and Voluntary organisations.
Additionally, representatives from public sector bodies including the council, NHS Lanarkshire, Police Scotland, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service all contributed to the engagement process.
The agreement will be reviewed every six months.