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How what you have said has influenced the Strategy

Your views have influenced the City’s Community Strategy. Each of the two stages of public consultation generated over 200 written responses, many of which were quite lengthy. A number of issues were echoed by many people (including the desire for more recycling facilities and problems caused by people jumping red traffic lights). However, people’s views differed widely on some subjects – such as night life in the City.

Evidently therefore, it is impossible for every single comment to be reflected in the Strategy, although we hope to be able to explain why comments have or have not been used in determining the Strategy’s objectives. The following provides some detail of the main comments received for each of the themes and what we have done.

A World Class City

Comment received	Our response
There was support for the existing work to promote the City.	The Strategy endorses this work
Affordable housing was seen as important, although there were divergent opinions as to whether it should be provided within or outside the City.	The importance of affordable housing (not necessarily within the City) has been included in the finalised Community Strategy.
Concerns were raised regarding utility providers’ contingencies and abilities to cope with demand.	The Strategy highlights the level of anticipated demand for utilities and the importance of strengthening capacity whilst minimising disruption to the City’s communities.
Some concerns were raised regarding perceived over-regulation and taxation of the business sector from central government.	The Strategy acknowledges concerns raised regarding regulation and taxation. It identifies how the City of London and other partners (such as trade bodies) communicate these concerns at a political level.

Good Transport for a Thriving City

Comment received	Our response
A reliable and efficient public transport system was felt to be critical to the vitality and efficiency of the business City.	The Strategy recognises the need for public transport services to be improved, and the potential adverse impact on the business City if this is not achieved. The Strategy recognises the need to prioritise projects with the most benefits (such as Crossrail).
Improving the accessibility of transport was seen to be important	The Strategy recognises the importance of achieving greater equality of access, whilst also recognising the difficulty of achieving this for some public transport services.
Cycling should be encouraged by improving facilities and safety for cyclists.	The Strategy refers to the City of London’s Cycling Plan which aims to improve conditions for cyclists and make cycling safer, more convenient and more accessible.
People were unhappy about traffic congestion, and believed that taxis circulating empty and deliveries were the cause.	The Strategy recognises the importance of maintaining the traffic flow, and encourages a comprehensive review of road user priorities. It also suggests an innovative way forward for reducing taxi drop off times.

A Clean, Pleasant and Attractive City

Comment received	Our response
Noise, air and light pollution were all raised as concerns.	The Strategy sets out what is already being done to tackle air and noise pollution (i.e. monitoring systems and enforcement measures), and recognises the challenges associated with each. It also explains that it is difficult to tackle light pollution as it has no legal status.
People wanted more recycling facilities.	The Strategy shows what is being done to increase households’ access to recycling. It also highlights the importance of encouraging businesses to recycle and of encouraging construction waste to be recycled.
Street cleanliness was identified as a good thing about the City.	This view is reflected in the Strategy.
Comments about open spaces were wide ranging. Some wanted higher quality open spaces, others wanted more open spaces.	Comments about open spaces were wide ranging. Some wanted higher quality open spaces, others wanted more open spaces.
High quality new designs for the City’s built environment were important, as was the protection and maintenance of existing buildings of architectural/ historical importance.	High quality new designs for the City’s built environment were important, as was the protection and maintenance of existing buildings of architectural/ historical importance.

A Healthy City

Comment received	Our response
There were mixed views about sports facilities – some people felt they are good, whilst others thought they are too expensive. Young people pointed out how they are excluded from most private fitness clubs in the City.	The Strategy highlights the importance of sport and physical activity to healthy living. It recognises the space limitations for certain sports inherent in being at the centre of a large City but supports the pursuit of opportunities whenever they arise. It encourages initiatives which improve access to sports where it can. The Strategy is not in a position to suggest specific actions relating to private fitness clubs.
There were some concerns regarding the lack of A&E facilities in the City. Related to this, the importance of defibrillators and first aid training was identified.	The Strategy acknowledges that many people disagree with the closure of A&E facilities in the City in 1995. It is not, however, in a position to take this issue further. It does, however, support initiatives which will reduce London Ambulance Service emergency response times and which will train more people in resuscitation skills.
Some of the working population commented how they would like to be able to access NHS doctors and dentists in the City.	The Strategy highlights the difficulties for many City workers in accessing their NHS doctor which are caused by the way NHS funding is structured. The Strategy encourages health agencies and employers to work together to investigate the scale of this problem and to discuss how it can be addressed.
Employers should be encouraged to support and promote health and fitness opportunities and information.	The Strategy identifies that employers should have a role in maintaining the health of their employees.

A Safer City

Comment received	Our response
Most people stated that they feel reasonably safe.	The Strategy highlights the low crime rate per head of daytime population in the City.
Terrorism was of concern. Some people would like more information about the City’s emergency plans.	The Strategy identifies the range of measures used to maximise the City’s security. It identifies scope to improve communication regarding emergency plans to residents and small businesses.
Road safety was a key concern for many.	The Strategy highlights work already undertaken by the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, the City of London Police, and the City of London in terms of prevention, education and enforcement. It suggests that scope to expand and increase coordination of these initiatives should be explored.
Anti-social behaviour caused some concern.	The Strategy accepts that anti-social behaviour must be tackled, and includes objectives to enable this to happen.

A Vibrant and Culturally Rich City

Comment received	Our response
Many recognised that the City does have cultural assets but they should be open to the public for longer and promoted more.	The Strategy emphasises the importance of improving awareness of the City’s cultural and leisure opportunities. It also identifies scope to increase weekend opening.
The importance of the City’s history should be recognised.	The Strategy recognises the City’s architecture and heritage.
The importance of balancing more bars with other forms of culture was emphasised, and concerns about the impact of bars on noise and anti-social behaviour were raised by some.	The Strategy identifies that more could be done to enhance the City’s vibrancy, in part by increasing coordination of what already happens. It particularly highlights that interest and sensitivities vary widely across the City’s communities (i.e. workers, residents, businesses, visitors), and that any initiatives must take account of this.
The City’s cultural diversity should be celebrated more.	The Strategy recognises diversity within both the working and residential populations. It supports efforts both to diversify arts and cultural opportunities and to make existing opportunities more inclusive.

An Inclusive and Outward Looking City

Comment received	Our response
The need for facilities to cater for the City’s diverse residential population was highlighted.	The Strategy recognises that the City’s residential population includes people with widely varying needs and interests. It particularly highlights the importance of provision for older people, young people, people with disabilities, carers, the homeless and people from ethnic minorities.
The importance of embracing the communities on the border of the City was emphasised.	The Strategy highlights existing work with communities in areas surrounding the City and the contribution made by City-based organisations to communities in a wider geographical area.
Some young people did not feel they are always treated well by adults and want to be listened to more.	The Strategy recognises young people’s concerns, and hopes that the emerging youth forum will help to address such issues
Respondents had mixed views on the role of faith communities.	The Strategy highlights the importance of improving inter-faith understanding and communication to the City’s communities (workers, residents, businesses and visitors). It therefore supports the development of an inter-faith network.
Providing support for the older people was felt to be important.	The Strategy refers to the development of an Older People’s Strategy by the City of London.

A Skilled and Learning City

Comment received	Our response
Skills and learning were thought to be very important and should have a separate theme.	This new eighth theme has now been added
Some businesses / people working in the City expressed concerns regarding the skill levels of school / university leavers.	The Strategy recognises the importance of developing the skills of pupils attending school in and around the City.
Satisfaction with adult education is high, although it needs to be given greater emphasis.	The Strategy recognises the contribution which adult learning can make to skills development and to an individual’s well-being.
Children and young people’s education was felt to be important.	The Strategy supports this view. It explains pre-16 education which is accessible to the City’s children and young people.

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