Decision - Community and Neighbourhood Engagement

RESOLVED –

(1)         That the Committee notes the public engagement work underway, the Framework and plethora of models developed according to community needs and priorities, and agrees to establish a cross-party working group.

(2)         That the Committee notes the formal review of Strengthening Communities Commissioning activity and agree that the Review should provide a way forward in providing recommendations for public engagement in the future. This will test the existing models and examine the need for further community decision making opportunities, (e.g., looking at LATs and how they feed into the Community Safety Forum etc).

(3)         That the outcomes of the review should include:

§         A mapping and overview of the different forms and structures for public engagement that exist in the city, such as neighbourhood groups (e.g. LATS), and citywide representative activity, (such as that developed by the Community and Voluntary Sector Forum).  

§         An analysis of the costs and benefits of community and neighbourhood engagement, including a breakdown of the costs and value of different models.

§         An analysis of the links between the Council’s democratic and constitutional opportunities for engagement and those at grass roots level.

§         A quantative and qualitative analysis and mapping of the various targeted neighbourhood initiatives in the city such as Family Pathfinder, Adult Advancement Centres and Turning the Tide, evaluating what works and determining any fundamental principles for future neighbourhood activity.  Where possible, the review would include partner involvement in this and include Neighbourhood Policing and the PCT’s work on health inequality.

§         An analysis of the value of the Council’s current Discretionary Grants Programme in helping to support public and neighbourhood engagement.

§         To develop new policy and approach in line with the Council’s organisational change processes and the move towards stronger commissioning, creating public value and desire to support local communities and economies and enable co-production of solutions at the local level.

(4)         That the review be completed by September 2010, (in time for the Council’s budget setting processes), and submitted to Governance Committee and Cabinet, (as required by the constitution), for consideration and incorporating into budget approaches for 2011/12.

(5)         That the Committee receive written updates at every meeting between now and September 2010 and, where appropriate, Governance Committee attendance and involvement be requested in key aspects of the Review process.