What is Vision 4 Lee?
Vision 4 Lee is an organisation, set up in 2004, with the remit of finding ways to revitalise Lee on Solent, both economically and also as a vibrant place to live. At the moment it's made up of a group of individuals representing a wide variety of organisations from Lee, who have been working together to complete a Healthcheck. The Healthcheck is a large questionnaire which contains a summary of different aspects to Lee on Solent at this point in time. It encompasses information on businesses, the economy, the environment, social aspects of life here, transport links and tourism. The group has drawn up an Action Plan of ideas which we hope to implement over the short, medium and long term to make Lee on Solent a thriving place to live with healthy businesses and a good community feel to the place.
We will be working with SEEDA, who own a large part of the old HMS Daedelus site, Gosport Borough Council, Hampshire County Council, Lee on Solent Residents Association, Lee on Solent Community Association and Lee on Solent Business Association. We have spent a lot of 2006 canvassing public opinion in Lee on Solent through various roadshows and have gained a lot of knowledge as to what the residents would like to see happen. We have a great opportunity here with HMS Daedelus having been bought by SEEDA, as any developer has to put investment into the area they hope to change.
Ultimately, the steering group will change and will then become enablers, helping the schemes drawn up under the Action Plan to become reality.
Background information about Vision 4 Lee
Lee-on-the-Solent is one of 32 Hampshire towns that meet the criteria for development assistance under The Market Towns Initiative, a £1.2 million fund provided by the South East Development Agency (SEEDA) and promoted by Hampshire Market Town Partnership.
Grant funding of up to £240,000 is available for projects aimed at improving services, generating new jobs, creating new businesses or enhancing learning opportunities and thereby making a significant impact on a town's economy.
The Health check is a comprehensive survey and analysis report on the town's economic, social, transport and environmental situation. It is based around a series of worksheets on issues which affect the quality of life in the town and needs to demonstrate a strong working partnership involving people from all sectors of the community -residents, businesses, government and other relevant organisations. It gives residents the opportunity to influence local plans, have a say in the town's future and to represent the town's interests by speaking with one voice.
The Health Check is an extremely important tool for providing evidence for funding applications, for example for a new community facility, transport or environmental improvements.
Further information can be obtained from www.countryside.org.uk click on New Enterprise and then Market Towns.
Evelyn Beale, Richard Needham, Alison Roast, and Ray Harding head an informal group of Lee-on-the-Solent residents and businesses intent on recruiting the support of local groups and associations to form a Lee-on-the-Solent Market Community Group that is fully representative and that has the full support of the community.
Following completion of the Health Check a Final Report has been produced also an updated V4L Constitution, see the Way Forward page to drive forward plans and bids for projects which are likely to arise from that research.