Agenda item

To receive and consider the enclosed report of the Director of People and Places, with attached Neighbourhood Action Plans.

The Head of Leisure and Neighbourhoods will make a short presentation on the current progress of neighbourhood working at the Executive Cabinet meeting.

Recommendation approved.

The Executive Cabinet received a report of the Director of People and Places on the progress so far of the neighbourhood working regime and putting forward revised action plans and proposals for 2010/11.

The Head of Leisure and Neighbourhoods also gave a short presentation, which illustrated the progress and success of the on-going initiative and highlighted the plans for future projects and ways in which Member engagement could be developed.

The Executive Cabinet confirmed its commitment to the introduction of the neighbourhood working initiative as a means of encouraging the development of more community links and partnership working, and generating external funding for the betterment of the seven neighbourhood areas.

Decision made:

That the progress report on the neighbourhood working regime activities in 2009/10 be noted and that the draft Neighbourhood Action Plans and proposals for 2010/11, as appended to the submitted report, be approved.

Reasons for decision:

Strong partnership working and community engagement are key elements to the achievement of the Council’s corporate priorities.

The neighbourhood working venture is perceived as the best means of making the most effective use of shared resources to achieve real benefits for the seven neighbourhood areas.

Alternative option(s) considered and rejected:

While other models and ventures have been tested, the current model appears to be a closer ‘fit’ for Chorley’s purpose and demographic.

Discontinuing neighbourhood working could jeopardise the further development of community engagement and partnership working at a neighbourhood level.