Enabling communities

Through this programme we are working to improve our approach to early intervention and prevention, both within the Council, and with how we work with our communities and partners. We are not always the best placed to support our residents, and it can stretch our resources whilst not achieving the best outcomes for our residents.

We are working with voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise groups, as well as local (Town and Parish) councils, to develop approaches that focus on communities, use data, and build strong relationships. This helps us provide targeted support to people with complex needs and areas with higher need, while working with communities to strengthen resilience..

Enabling Communities – (savings explained)

The Enabling Communities programme focuses on long‑term prevention, partnership working and system change, rather than immediate financial savings. All current projects are at feasibility stage, meaning they are testing new ways of working and building the foundations for future service transformation.

While no MTFS savings are yet assigned, these initiatives are critical to reducing demand on high‑cost services over time and supporting sustainable, community‑led solutions.

Key areas of focus include:

• One Council Approach – Prevention and Early Intervention
  Developing a more coordinated, place‑based approach to prevention across the council, ensuring earlier support for residents and reducing escalation into statutory services.
• Enabling Healthy Neighbourhoods (VCFSE Framework)
  Strengthening collaboration with the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector to better harness community capacity, improve resilience, and deliver support closer to home.
• Enabling Local Service 
  Exploring opportunities to devolve activity and decision‑making to town and parish councils, helping to tailor services to local needs and unlock efficiencies through shared responsibility.

Longer‑term impact

Although these projects do not generate immediate savings in the current MTFS period, they are expected to:

• Reduce future demand in Adults’ and Children’s Services
• Improve outcomes through early help and local solutions
• Support co‑production with communities and partners
• Create future opportunities for cashable savings once models mature

As feasibility work concludes, proposals will return with clear delivery plans and quantified financial impacts, where appropriate.