Views sought on Hastings safe communities accreditation

Community organisations are being encouraged to put forward their views on how Hastings can further its aims of achieving Safe Communities accreditation.

Safe communities is a World Health Organisation concept that encourages greater collaboration and co-operation between non government organisations, the business sector and local and central government.

Hastings District Councillor Sandra Hazlehurst says “Feeling safe on the streets of Hastings is a basic right of every citizen. Council puts safety and the well being of all residents at the forefront of its planning and achieving safe community accreditation is an important step for the whole community.”

“The accreditation process ensures that agencies with common community objectives will coordinate their activities in a more supportive manner, and recognises that key stakeholders with a mutual interest in community safety are working together.”

“Police, Fire Service, the Hawke’s Bay DHB, Health Hawke’s Bay, Ministry of Social Development and ACC play a major role in creating a safe community and accreditation will further demonstrate that those partners have developed a close working relationship with many other agencies throughout the wider community” Sandra Hazlehurst says.

Many towns and cities in New Zealand which have been awarded safe community status have reported an improvement in their residents well being. Reports show there have been fewer preventable injuries, and an increased feeling of safety within the community.

Hastings District Council and its partners have begun the process of developing the application for Safe Community accreditation, which will be presented at the end of 2012. The workshop will give an outline of what accreditation as a safe community will mean for Hastings and what benefits could be available to community organisations.

Community organisations are asked to register for the workshop by calling Cheryl Paget on 8715070. The workshop is to be held in the Council Chambers on Wednesday, February 15th between 2pm and 4pm.