What We Do

How we came about

In August 2002 the Town Council decided to find out how residents felt about the town, their aspirations and what would be necessary to realise those aspirations.

The steps to be taken to realise these aspirations were tabled as objectives, prioritised and the whole brought together into an Action Plan. The project was put into the hands of a Steering Committee (see Who We Are), which became the nucleus of the East Grinstead Community Partnership.

The Partnership is able to bring about some of its objectives without recourse to Local Authorities. However, as regards major objectives, such as the relief of traffic congestion and voicing concern over large-scale housing developments, the function of the Partnership is to influence Local Authorities in the best interests of East Grinstead residents.

The Partnership will be doing its job when it acts as an independent forum for debate and as a prompting for thoughtful analysis and comment on these bigger issues.

The East Grinstead Community Partnership and the East Grinstead Town Council are separate bodies which work in a complementary way with each other. The Partnership members represent town-wide organisations, including the Town Council, and representatives from Mid-Sussex District Council and West Sussex County Council. The Partnership in its work requires local organisations to work in harmony with elected councillors for the general improvement of the town and its hinterland.

Working Groups

The detailed Partnership work takes place in groups entrusted with carrying out one or more of the objectives of the Action Plan.

These working groups comprise members of the steering committee and invited members of the community who can contribute their knowledge and experience to the particular study being undertaken.

The steering groups are also committed to consultation with the residents of East Grinstead with a view to updating the Action Plan in the light of current circumstances.