Annual performance spotlights
Connect outcome - Communities and environment
Caring, connected, sustainable communities
What communities told us:
- Residents value outdoor play areas for children, as well as clubs and activities that give children and young people something to do
- The quality and safety of local parks, woodlands, nature trails and paths is important if people are to enjoy the outdoors
- Good neighbours and a sense of community make a huge difference to quality of life
- People are increasingly feeling the effects of rising prices impacting on everyday essentials such as food, clothing, travel and heating
What success will look like:
- Reduced carbon emissions
- Increase in household waste recycling
- More people reporting a strong sense of community
- Increased ownership of local assets
- Protect our natural environment and enhance our green spaces
- Develop and promote food growing opportunities
- Invest in services to protect the vulnerable
Case study: Communities come together to talk climate change
The Community Planning Partnership (CPP) hosted an informal Climate and Nature event in October 2023. Community groups, young people and CPP Board members heard about climate and nature challenges, action taken to combat them and from national speakers and other local community groups.
There was also the opportunity to discuss climate and nature issues which are important to them, the organisation they represent and the people that they support.
The speakers at the event were Laura Young (Less Waste Laura) and Alex Cameron-Smith. Laura is an award-winning climate advocate, environmental scientist, PhD Researcher and ethical influencer who started, and continues to lead, the campaign to see single-use disposable vapes banned across Scotland and the UK. Alex is a Climate Resilience Manager at Sniffer, a sustainability organisation that delivers the Adaptation Scotland programme for Scottish Government - helping public agencies, local authorities, business and communities across the country take joint action to prepare for and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
A number of groups hosted “conversation cafes” at the event, including:
- Communities in Action: ONECAN, Carluke
- Green Travel: Climate Action, Strathaven
- Food growing: Grow73, Rutherglen
- Engagement: South Lanarkshire Youth Council and schools
- Nature Based Solutions: Incredibly Wild, East Kilbride
Leader of South Lanarkshire Council and chair of the CPP, Councillor Joe Fagan, said: “It was great to see so many people from communities across South Lanarkshire come together for this event. I hope the event is just the start of many conversations, whether it be at home, in the community where people live, at school or college, with Community Planning Partners or beyond. It is important that we keep this conversation going, sharing our stories and taking action whether individually or together. While the scale of the challenge can seem overwhelming, together, we can make a difference in South Lanarkshire.”
How we did in 2023-24
See Recycling
See Recycling
