Issue - meetings

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Communities (enclosed).

1.    That the actions and timescales detailed are approved to progress Neighbourhood Working over the next 18 months and then review accordingly to measure the success and make appropriate changes where applicable.

2.    To agree the preferred option for New Neighbourhood Area Footprint Model, subject to amending the ‘Chorley Town North’ neighbourhood area to ‘Chorley North’.

3.    That Neighbourhood Priority projects proposed by each area group and budget spend will be approved by Executive Member (Early Intervention) via Executive Member decision.

Councillor Bev Murray, Executive Member (Early Intervention), presented the report of the Director of Communities which provides details of the Neighbourhood Working Review and the proposed way forward to revise the delivery of neighbourhood working in Chorley which will ensure the model continues to develop and meets the needs of members and the communities they serve. It also presents the preferred option for new Neighbourhood Area footprint due to the impact of ward boundary changes which came into effect in May 2021.

Following the boundary review changes which came into effect in May 2021, a range of new area model options have been created and the preferred option proposed is to adopt the six Neighbourhood Area Model, which would split the 14 new wards into six areas as detailed in the report. The annual budget of £50k will give each neighbourhood area £8,000 and the opportunity to fund either one large project or allocate to several different projects, although it is proposed that no more than a maximum of four projects are chosen to be delivered. This approach will be piloted and the reviewed.

Following a Member request, it was agreed that the ‘Chorley Town North’ neighbourhood area be amended to ‘Chorley North’ based on the geographical nature of the area.

Decision:

1.    That the actions and timescales detailed are approved to progress Neighbourhood Working over the next 18 months and then review accordingly to measure the success and make appropriate changes where applicable.

2.    To agree the preferred option for New Neighbourhood Area Footprint Model, subject to amending the ‘Chorley Town North’ neighbourhood area to ‘Chorley North’.

3.    That Neighbourhood Priority projects proposed by each area group and budget spend will be approved by Executive Member (Early Intervention) via Executive Member decision.

Reasons for recommendation(s):

Neighbourhood working and its associated projects are a key priority within the council’s corporate strategy and encourages the improvement of environmental, health, and social features within the identified neighbourhoods of Chorley.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

To not support the continuation and development of neighbourhood working across the borough.