Partnership group meets to look at ‘community cohesion’

(Date of issue: Thursday, 12 March 2009)

Local organisations and communities were given a call to action last week (Monday, 9 March) at the Carlisle Partnership’s spring forum.

More than 30 organisations were represented at the Tullie House event and the Chairman of the Partnership, Trevor Hebdon, called for communities to work together and stressed the need for local organisations to provide support to vulnerable groups, in light of the current economic state.

He raised concerns that

“neighbourliness has broken down.....and that greed, competition and self-interest have replaced mutual respect, regard and support.”

The positive steps taken by the City Council and Cumbria County Council to support local communities were set out at the meeting, including the Harraby and Longtown Community Empowerment pilots, and the partners also looked at how the ‘credit crunch’ is affecting the most ‘at risk’ residents. Vulnerability to “Loan Sharks” and unscrupulous but legitimate credit organisations, in addition to remedies and alternatives were put forward by Cumbria Trading Standards and the Carlisle Credit Union.

Chairman of the Carlisle Partnership, Trevor Hebdon, said: “Whitehall politicians have spoken of a “Broken Society” and our lack of concern for the less fortunate in our communities. Our considerations at the spring forum were aimed at setting out the ways in which society has become fragmented but much more importantly, beginning to suggest ways in which we can encourage back into the open those dormant qualities of mutual care and support, where they can be best used to revitalise our community culture and values.”

The forum adopted the Carlisle Community Cohesion Strategy on behalf of the Carlisle Partnership. The information and plans presented by City and County Officers provoked vigorous discussion ranging over the difficulties of community engagement and dealing with the threats of extremism.