Providing an evidence base for community strategies

Abstract

The technical services provided or procured by local authorities have a significant impact on the health and sense of well-being of their communities. For example, lighting has implications for crime and fear of crime, transportation has implications for safety and pollution as well as access, waste management and grounds maintenance have an impact on the local physical environment. The power to promote or improve economic, social or environmental well-being and the duty to prepare community strategies demand new ways of working from local authorities. Joined-up planning and service delivery requires interdepartmental and inter-agency working. Underlying this joint working is a growing need for evidence-based decision-making. This paper outlines the political and administrative context for developing community strategies and presents a model for providing the evidence base that will assist in targeting resources and monitoring progress.