The decision was agreed at a recent Cabinet meeting that Ashfield District Council would withdraw from the Ashfield Partnership as of the end of March 2011.

Through the appointment of a Community Strategy Co-ordinator, delivery of the Sustainable Community Strategy and the Council’s Corporate Plan priorities will continue after the dissolution of the Partnership.

Following Government cuts and the withdrawal of County Council support, it became apparent that the Ashfield Partnership was no longer the most appropriate method of delivering joint work within the District and a major review is planned.

A new post of Community Strategy Co-ordinator will run for a 12 month period to ensure that aims and objectives of the strategy are met whilst a thorough review of delivery processes and outcomes is being carried out.

Mark Gwynne, Interim Change Manager at Ashfield District Council commented: “The financial pressures on Councils have presented a need for us to review the way that we work with our key partners to deliver services to and support the local community. 

Whilst the Council has decided to withdraw from the Ashfield Partnership, this does not mean an end to partnership working.  What we will now see is a new task and finish approach which will help deliver real benefits that people can see without the need for having Officers from the Council, Police, Health and other partners involved in more meetings."