Together – the people and places of Radcliffe

“Radcliffe’s physical regeneration and its people and communities are two sides of the same coin. One without the other will not work.”

The words of council leader Eamonn O’Brien, launching the biggest ever community plan for Radcliffe to make sure the ambitious and multi-million pound transformation of the town brings the best results for all.

Co-designed with local residents, community groups, public service colleagues and businesses, the plan aims to ensure that all the opportunities offered by regeneration and Levelling Up are maximised.

Seven priorities have been identified, focusing on:

• Strengthening community safety
• Protecting and enhancing Radcliffe’s environment
• Improving health and care outcomes
• Improving education outcomes
• Improving resident skills and employability
• Closing the digital divide
• Promotion of culture and sport

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, leader of the council, said: “Radcliffe is an immensely proud town, a fact which has come through loud and clear in our discussions with its people.

“Unprecedented sums of money will be invested in Radcliffe, bringing physical developments such as a new high school, brownfield housing, new community and leisure facilities, and places for businesses to set up and grow.

“But it also brings huge opportunities to improve people’s health, their skills and employment chances, and to tackle deprivation, crime and a poor environment.

“To bring about the transformation we all want, however, we need everyone to be on board and sailing in the same direction.

“This is why this People and Communities Plan is so important. It provides the means by which local people, community groups and all parties can play their part in shaping the town’s future, so that the opportunities outlined in the regeneration framework are realised and that the best outcomes for everyone are achieved.”

The guiding principles which underpin all of the proposals in the plan are:

• Listening to what is important to residents in Radcliffe and using their insight to achieve results.
• Supporting the people of Radcliffe to determine their own priorities which will influence where efforts are focused.
• Valuing the important contribution of voluntary, community and faith groups in improving quality of life.
• Recognising the strengths of people and communities, having a shared understanding of what a good life means, and targeting of resources based on risk.
• Empowering public service staff to work together to support people in ways that work for them rather than being constrained by red tape.

Cllr O’Brien added: “This plan has been shaped by the opinions of local people, and we will continue to work with the community and keep them informed as the regeneration continues, not only during the construction phase but also after the project is complete.”

To read the full People and Communities Plan, go to Radcliffe People and Communities Plan - Appendix.pdf (bury.gov.uk)

ENDS

Press release issued: 31 May 2022.