Council leadership on integration reaps rewards

Efforts to increase prosperity and cohesion in Blackburn and Darwen have received a welcome boost.

The Government has invited the Council to be one of five Integration Areas to participate in an ambitious programme as part of its new Integrated Communities Strategy.

The vision is to ‘build strong integrated communities where people, whatever their background – live, work and socialise together, based on shared rights, responsibilities and opportunities’.

They wanted to work closely with local authorities that have already demonstrated a keen grasp of the challenges they face and shown a desire to try new things to meet the needs of local residents.

Experiences and learning from the borough will be shared nationally.

Councillor Mohammed Khan OBE, the Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:

We have a lot to be proud of and we want to see more done to encourage prosperity for all sections of the community.

There is a real determination to work hard for the good of the borough and we look forward to further strengthening relationships and in turn increasing opportunities.

Harry Catherall, Chief Executive of Blackburn with Darwen Council, added:

This partnership will help trial and pioneer new ways to further advance integration.

Our style is to be positive and ambitious, to tackle issues head on. We do this by working closely with lots of different groups and organisations.

Our young population is one of our biggest assets and is already leading the way on this agenda, which promises real hope for the future.

Recently a short video was produced to highlight the views of people who work and live in the local community.

The Integrated Communities Strategy green paper invites views on the government’s vision for building strong integrated communities where people – whatever their background – live, work, learn and socialise together, based on shared rights, responsibilities and opportunities.  The strategy can be viewed here