Boost for town's deprived areas

TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington are to be urged to approve a new project to deliver major improvements to
living conditions in two of the town’s most deprived areas.
“Delivering Wellbeing in Bewsey and Dallam” is a new “closing the gap” project initiated by the Warrington Partnership, aimed at delivering a renewed focus on regenerating the areas, engaging residents and improving outcomes over a sustained period of time
A report to be presented to the council’s executive board by Cllr Kate Hannon, executive member for leisure, community and culture, says Bewsey and Dallam have consistently been two of Warrington’s most deprived areas for decades.
The estate around Bewsey Community Park is in the top two per cent of the most deprived areas in the country land the Dallam estate in the top six per cent. There are high levels of child poverty, poor health, education attainment, employment levels and crime.
Improvements have been made in recent years, but this has not made the impact required. It has largely taken place within separate organisations without senior level buy-in from across all agencies.
The aim of the new project is to redress this.
“It is a new statement of commitment from senior leaders across a range of partner agencies to re-focus, reinvigorate and reform work in this locality. It challenges service providers to engage residents, integrate services, pool resources and ensure investment delivers better outcomes for Bewsey and Dallam residents,” the report states.
Over the years, residents have been consulted on their views and have consistently identified issues such as the environment, activities for children, crime and anti-social behaviour and housing and transport.
The next stage will be to present a project plan to the people of Bewsey and Dallam – with a key aim of re-building trust and making a positive offer of investment.