Who We Are

History of the East Grinstead Community Partnership

In September 2002 East Grinstead Town Council took the initiative in drawing together a representative steering group to undertake a town “health check” leading to the development of a local Action Plan. The health check revealed a “wish list” of qualities, characteristics and community services which East Grinstead residents wanted in their town, and the Action Plan listed objectives, or projects, designed to achieve them.

The first vision was the creation of a successful town for residents and businesses, with a vibrant economy.

Under this vision the Action Plan required:

• The revitalisation of the town centre in terms of its shops and services as well as its appearance.

• The elimination of vacant shop premises.

• Ways to tackle local skills shortages and improve post-16 training opportunities.

• The promotion of East Grinstead to visitors and tourists, in particular by supporting the scheme to extend the historic Bluebell Railway into the town, and by improving local accommodation.

The residents also wanted East Grinstead to be a lively and welcoming town, full of opportunities for all generations, with places to meet and socialise.

Under this vision the Action Plan required:

• Improves access to affordable and key worker housing.

• Action to meet the needs of an ageing population.

• Increased day care.

• Better facilities for the young.

• A strategy to make best use of the voluntary sector.

• Access, opportunities and inclusion for those with a disability.

It was clear too that a major concern was that any future changes and developments in East Grinstead should be sensitive to its history and unique character.

Under this vision the Action Plan required:

• A recognition of residents concerns about the proposed housing development west of the town and the bypass issue.

• Improvements to the points of arrival within East Grinstead, particularly the railway station and its appearance.

• Improvements to, or redevelopment of, Queen’s Walk.

• Support for the protection and promotion of the town’s heritage.

• The upgrading of run-down areas of the town centre and its environs, in particular Railway Approach.

Finally it was clear that residents wanted a town which was safe and easy to navigate.

Under this vision, the Action Plan required:

• The addressing of short/medium-term issues relating to traffic congestion.

• The improvement of cycle routes.

• Improvements to public transport, particularly the railway service.

• The addressing of community safety issues.

• Better transport to and from hospitals outside East Grinstead.

• Greater parking provision.

Pursuit of these objectives was entrusted to a Steering Committee consisting of representatives from:

• East Grinstead Town Council
• The East Grinstead Society
• East Grinstead Age Concern
• East Grinstead Chamber of Commerce
• East Grinstead Library
• East Grinstead Youth Sports Development Officer
• Imberhorne School
• East Grinstead Health Centre (Moatfield Surgery)
• East Grinstead Tourism
• East Grinstead Churches Together
• West Sussex County Council Community Planning Officer
• Mid Sussex Community Planning Officer
• West Sussex County Council
• Mid Sussex County Council

It was acknowledged that from the beginning that some of the current issues within East Grinstead are of a strategic nature and that decisions will ultimately be made by strategic planning or transport bodies.

But it is important that the views of East Grinstead are known and the health check process has helped to identify the issues and priorities from the town’s point of view.

The role of the East Grinstead Community Partnership concerning these strategic issues is to influence and inform external decision-makers about the views of the town community.

It is recognised that public consultation and providing information to the public about the Action Plan is an important element of the work of the East Grinstead Partnership. This will be achieved through newspaper articles, meetings with organisations within the town, public displays at the Library and the Town Council Offices. The Partnership will keep the Action Plan under review and provide an annual monitoring report.

 
Pictured:
Town MP Nicholas Soames at the launch of the East
Grinstead Community Partnership in December 2003.