Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor D Gee.

In the absence of the Chair of the Environmental and Community Overview and Scrutiny Panel, and with the consent of the Members present, Councillor A Lowe assumed the Chair of the meeting.

Members of the Working Group are reminded of their responsibility to declare any interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000, the Council’s Constitution and the individual Member should not participate in a discussion on the matter and must withdraw from the meeting and not seek to influence a decision on the matter.

There were no declarations of interest by any of the Councillors in any of the agenda items.

The Sub-Group continues to interview selected witnesses in connection with the ongoing inquiry into Neighbourhood Working.

The main theme for this meeting is “What approaches to neighbourhood working should we consider?”

The following officers will be interviewed.

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Ed Cox – Local Government Information Unit and North West Co-ordinator, Togetherwecan Network

Chief Inspector Andy Murphy - Lancashire Constabulary

Chief Inspector Chris Bithell - Lancashire Constabulary           

David Rigby - Places for People

Liz Morey  - Community Development Officer, Chorley Council, Leisure and Cultural Services

Colette Kelly - Neighbourhood Manager Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council

Attached are the questions the Panel would like to put to the officers as well as witness-briefing note         

The Chair reminded the Members that the second session of the Sub-Group had been convened to interview further witnesses selected to assist the on-going inquiry into neighbourhood working.  The purpose of the meeting would be to ascertain the witnesses’ views on the differing approaches to neighbourhood working that the Council could consider.

The Chair introduced and welcomed the following persons invited to the meeting:

?       Ed Cox, Local Government Information Unit facilitator of Togetherwecan Network.

?       Steve Lomas, Chorley Council’s Director of Housing Services and Chief Executive (Designate) of Chorley Community Housing.

?       Liz Morey, Chorley Council’s Community Development Officer.

?       John Pye, Neighbourhood Manager (Great Lever), Bolton Council.

?       David Rigby, Places for People.

?         Inspector Ian Roberts, Lancashire Constabulary.

The Chair advised the guests and the Sub-Group members that the purpose of the meeting was to obtain their respective responses to a number of prepared questions aimed at seeking their views on the approaches to neighbourhood working that the Council should consider.  The views of each of the guests in reply to the following questions are summarised below:

Question 1

“What, in your view, is neighbourhood working?”

         Steve Lomas:

         A joint approach between different organisations, with each body being committed to the delivery of services at a local neighbourhood level.

         David Rigby:

         A joint approach to the delivery of services in a defined area, with each organisation working towards the delivery of an agreed agenda and action plan.

         Liz Morey:

         Focusing an agenda for the delivery of services within a geographical area perceived by residents to be a “neighbourhood”.

         Inspector Ian Roberts:

         A system that allows separate neighbourhoods and/or communities to communicate their problems to the Police or other bodies and for those problems to be solved by a multi-agency approach.

         John Pye:

         It is important to take account of the fact that differing problems and concerns in different neighbourhoods require separate solutions.

         Effective neighbourhood management is dependent on the following three key elements:

         ?       A Neighbourhood Manager working locally.

         ?         Community involvement and leadership.

         ?       A planned, evidence-led proactive approach to the resolution of the problem issues.

         Ed Cox:

         Effective neighbourhood working is dependent on the following three factors:

         ?      Effective planning of neighbourhood services should define the delivery and improvement of services.

         ?      Neighbourhood management and governance will determine how decisions are taken on the management of services, in respect of which the role of Councillors will be important.

         ?       A focus on capacity building and community improvement.

Question 2

“What other partners do you think should be involved?”

         John Pye:

         Successful neighbourhood working is not restricted to a defined membership model but can benefit from the participation of whichever organisation that is required to resolve problem areas.  A competent Neighbourhood Manager would be able to determine the relevant bodies to be approached to improve services within the area.

         Childrens services and the involvement of local schools tend to be overlooked.

         Co-terminous boundaries for local services assist a more co-ordinated approach to neighbourhood working.

         Inspector Ian Roberts:

         Any partner that can add value to the initiative and contribute  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.