Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Keith Iddon and Daniel Gee.

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

Members of the Working Group are reminded of their responsibility to declare any personal 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 on any of the agenda items.

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

The main theme for the meeting is: “What approaches to neighbourhood working should we consider?”(Resident/community perspective)

The following officers will be interviewed:

Ian Macarthur – Groundwork

Steve Murfitt – Clayton Brook Together

Karen Martynuik – Clayton Brook Together

A Parish Council representative

John Lechmere – Director of Streetscene, Neighbourhoods and Environment 

Attached are the questions the Panel would like to put to the Officers as well as a witness - briefing note.

The Chair reminded the Members that the third session of the Sub-Group had been convened to interview further witnesses selected to assist the on-going inquiry into neighbourhood working.

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

?       Ian Mcarthur – Groundwork

?       Steve Murfitt – Clayton Brook Together

?       Darren Cranshaw – Chairman of Brindle Parish Council (Parish Council Representative)

?       John Lechmere – Director of Streetscene, Neighbourhoods and Environment

The Chair advised the invited guests and the Sub-Group Members of the meeting to obtain their responses to a number of prepared questions aimed at seeking their views on what approaches to neighbourhood working should we consider?  The views of each of the guests in reply to the following questions are summarised below:

Question 1

How do you think we should define a ‘neighbourhood’ for the purposes of our inquiry?

(How small/how large?  Are these different sides for different purposes?)

John Lechmere

Should have their own identification.

Groups of residents, environmental problems, health problems, small group of houses.

We already have SWITCH and Clayton Brook Together.

Ian Mcarthur

These are self defining areas.  The area for Groundwork tend to be self defining. Groundwork address wider geographic areas, with youth problems, crime and disorder.  Small is best and looking at what we do.  Build upon a better community understanding.  Build ‘school capital’.

Interaction around school catchment areas.  Schools act as a hub for the community eg Chicago in USA based around schools.

Steve Murfitt

Start with a small neighbourhood, bringing in schools.  Identify local issues with information obtained from the children.  Nurture a local community/neighbourhood and empower people to take responsibilities.

Darren Cranshaw

A parished area would be the most logical area to start.  No size fits all, but use of Parish Council area which have some unique issues.

Question 2

Would you say you are now involved in neighbourhood working?

(In what why?  Which agencies/partners are involved?)

Steve Murfitt

Involved in neighbourhood working by accident.  Use of primary school and brought out into the community.  Issues such as drugs, drink and anti-social behaviour.

Working with the Police and Health Authorities on these issues.  Worked with PACT.  Identified issues and attempted to resolve the issue on the same day.  Branched out into Clayton Brook Together for all activities.

PACT was working well in Clayton Brook and now into its third year.  First year a lot of issues.  Makes it as representative as possible.  A junior PACT formulated with a fair success.  Raising awareness on a number of issues.

Darren Cranshaw

Work done through the Parish Plan with engaging with the local people.  Have struggled with partnership working at different levels.  Organisations are not geared up to this.  This can be improved.

John Lechmere

Currently services are not designed around Neighbourhood Working.  Do not provide bespoke services in the area.

Ian Mcarthur

Circulated a report prepared by Wigan and Chorley Groundwork on the update for January 2007 on the Chorley projects.

Members raised the issue of the impact of Neighbourhood Wardens.  Steve  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To consider the findings and any conclusions arising from the interview sessions.

At the conclusion of the ‘question and answer’ session, the Chair thanked each of the invited guests for their attendance and contribution to the debate.  The responses and viewpoints would be taken into consideration when the final report and recommendations of the Sub-Group were being compiled.