Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: March 17, 2026

Purpose: To seek Cabinet's approval to submit the Partnership Stronger Together Communities Strategy to the Council for endorsement. Based on extensive engagement with residents, people learning, working or visiting Bracknell Forest, the strategy has been co-produced by over 20 partner organisations with the aim to enable community resilience, connection and cohesion. Endorsement will confirm the Council’s commitment to working with residents, partners and other stakeholders to deliver the Stronger Together Communities Strategy’s aims to further strengthen our community to ensure everyone belongs, is listened to, well informed and connected; people can join in, help each other and take pride in where they live and work.

Content: RECOMMENDED to Council that:   i.      the Stronger Together Communities Strategy (Appendix A) is endorsed by the Council, underpinned by the Endorsement Statement (Appendix B).   ii.     they formally record its thanks to all the organisations and residents that have contributed to developing the strategy including through the extensive engagement with residents, people learning, working or visiting Bracknell Forest.

Reasons for the decision: 1)    Endorsement will confirm the Council’s commitment to working with residents, partners and other stakeholders to deliver the strategy’s aims towards the vision: “Together we will further strengthen our community to ensure everyone belongs, is listened to, well informed and connected; people can join in, help each other and take pride in where they live and work.”.   2)    Endorsing the Stronger Together Communities Strategy aligns with the council’s commitment to a cohesive and engaged communities, national legislation, statutory duties and national priorities that emphasise empowered, place-based communities and strengthened local governance. National reforms, including the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, promote deeper local decision-making, community ownership and partnership-led delivery – positioning Bracknell Forest to build trust, prevent community tensions and work proactively together to create the conditions for strong, connected and cohesive communities.   3)    Engaged and healthy communities is a priority in the Council Plan 2023-2027 and an ambition within this is that community development and spaces encourage a cohesive and engaged community. This strategy will provide a strategic guide for this priority for the council, as well as for partner organisations and communities themselves.   4)    In developing strategic service and financial planning from 2026-29 the council will be working with its partners to empower communities, collaborate and innovate and ensure its decisions are evidence based. The Stronger Together Communities Strategy is an important enabler of this strategic direction.

Alternative options considered: 1)         The alternative option to not endorse the strategy. As outlined above, engaged and healthy communities is a council priority. There is also significant buy-in from partner organisations and there has been extensive resident engagement. To not take the strategy forward would be a missed opportunity to work together to strengthen communities across the borough and to make the most effective use of existing resources through collaboration and coordination.   2)         Not endorsing the strategy, would not help the Council’s reputation in terms of listening to residents and valuing the contribution of residents and partners in coproducing the strategy. The strategy takes a strength base approach to align efforts and resources of partners and to enable and inspire residents to act and join in. It would also mean that partner organisations, delivering the strategy without council’s participation, would be less effective in enabling residents to act together towards their aspirations and to tackle the local challenges.