“People have a strong sense of place and belonging and there is a real community spirit in Prestonpans, Cockenzie, Port Seton and Longniddry. We aim to protect, harness and build on the positive outlook people have about where they live. We all work together to be a welcoming community where everyone is valued.”
Preston Seton Gosford Area Partnership has launched its new Area Plan for 2019-2024 following extensive engagement with the community.
The plan sets out 19 key priorities within the themes of prosperous, community minded and fair to help ensure Prestonpans, Cockenzie and Port Seton, Longniddry and surrounding areas remain great places to live, to get around, to work and to visit. The Partnership brings people from across the community together to have their voices heard and to help influence decisions about the things that matter to them.
The Area Partnership has a delegated annual budget from East Lothian Council and has already delivered many successful projects in partnership with the council.These have included weekend and holiday provision to support young people, funding for a family worker to help children get the best start in life, activities to support older people, improved paths and a new ramp at Seton Sands to allow more access for beach wheelchair users onto the beach.The Partnership has also attracted substantial external funding to make the most of the industrial and cultural heritage in the area.
Priorities in the new Area Plan include capitalising on the area’s rich cultural and industrial heritage to increase visitors and increase employability skills. A new Heritage Connections Officer has been appointed who will be working a Steering Group to establish a Heritage Network, which is expected to be launched in late Spring.
The Area Partnership also aims to support families so that children have the best start in life and can access the services they need to develop and learn. A Support from the Start Family Worker is in post and a Kindness Fund being developed to address poverty. Supported Holiday Clubs will be held to improve educational attainment and support children’s health and wellbeing.
Preston Seton Gosford Area Partnership Chair Ferhan Ashiq said:
“Through bringing the community together to have our voices heard our aim is to influence decisions about the things that matter to us. Since the establishment of the Area Partnership in 2014 we have successfully worked with East Lothian Council and other partners to support and deliver over 100 projects to help make life that much better for everyone.
“We have a number of working groups who are pulling resources, expertise and their passion together to deliver and influence projects which are addressing significant health inequalities and poverty, reducing the educational attainment gap for our children and young people to help families get the best start in life, increasing social contact and the ability for people to take part in community life.
“People have a strong sense of place and belonging and there is a real community spirit in Prestonpans, Cockenzie, Port Seton and Longniddry. We aim to protect, harness and build on the positive outlook people have about where they live. We all work together to be a welcoming community where everyone is valued.”
The Area Partnership comprises a variety of local organisations including community councils, tenants and residents groups and parent councils. It has various sub groups which have been tasked with taking forward actions supporting priorities such as improving health and wellbeing and promoting active travel.
Download Preston Seton Gosford Area Plan from East Lothian Council or you can pick up a copy at your local library or community centre.