Devolution to Neighbourhoods

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Devolution to Neighbourhoods Graham Sims
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My Neighbourhood - Timeline

• Development stage- To August
• Sharing Proposals- September
• Proposals to Cabinet on 1st October
• Implementation programme
• To January 2010 Wide involvement
• First meeting of Neighbourhood
• Committees in February 2010
• Phase 1 Devolution from April 2010
• Phase 2 and 3 to follow 2010/11

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Community Empowerment can help deliver

• Better Services- Benefit from local knowledge
  and meeting local needs efficiently and
  effectively.
• Strengthen democracy and accountability
  Involving local people in decisions that affect
  them.
• Stronger Communities Active citizens looking
  after their Neighbourhood and all those who live
  there.

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The Context for Devolution in Bristol
The National Picture

• All party support for devolution and community
  empowerment
• Localism is key debate at national level
• All party support within Local Government through
  LGA
• Key Legislation in place
• Including 2007 Local Government and Public
  involvement in Health Act and new Duty to
  involve- in force from April 2009
• Vital element in new CAA
• (Comprehensive Area Assessment)

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The Context for Devolution in Bristol

• 2008 11 BCC Corporate Plan Our City Better
  Neighbourhoods give residents greater say in
  their area.
• Bristol Place Survey 2008/9
• - Below national average in satisfaction with the
  council 35, national av. Is 45
• - Only 25 feel they can influence decisions (NI
  4)
• - Nearly 30 want to become more involved

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Local Government across the UK

• Some Councils have many years experience three
  here today- Leeds over 10 years, Bradford nearly
  20 years, Newcastle over 30 years!
• 10 Councils form the Network of Enabling
  Authorities supported by IDeA Develop and share
• Beacon Councils Tameside, Chorley,
  Staffordshire
• Looked more closely at some councils similar
  size, track record, comparable in scale to
  Bristol- ongoing
• No right way- each area has unique circumstances
  combine the elements to get right fit for
  Bristol

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Devolved Decision Making
Co-ordinate working at Neighbourhood level
Community engagement and equalities
Community Empowerment
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In Summary

• Significant devolution to 14 Neighbourhood
  Committees within existing Neighbourhood
  Partnerships
• Enhanced community involvement more local, more
  regular, better supported, more well known
• Strengthen delivery Multi-agency teams, driving
  implementation, increased capacity
• Community empowerment

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How it would work at Neighbourhood level
Neighbourhood Forums
Neighbourhood Partnerships
Neighbourhood committees
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Devolved Decisions

• 14 Neighbourhood Communities within 14
  Neighbourhood Partnerships.
• Decision-making devolved within policy and budget
  framework.
• Neighbourhood Committees Councillors-decisions
  close to and informed by local community.
• Budget devolved with decisions-making
• First tranche 11 million Aril 2010 with more to
  follow.
• 2-3 year programme.

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Devolved Services (phase 1)

• Ward Budgets
• Environment project
• Mini-recycling Sites
• Highway Maintenance
• Minor Traffic Schemes
• Community building
• Community Safety- staff
• Street Cleansing- influencing
• Parks Green Space
• Community development- staff

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Community Involvement

• Neighbourhood Partnership to decide pattern of
  community involvement.
• Local forums/ PACTs- at least 2 x p.a.
• Innovation with variety of involvement
  approaches.
• Forums- community- led agendas.
• You said, we did approach.

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Integrated Working at Neighbourhood Level

• Removal of barriers to effective joint working.
• City Council services- boundary issues.
• Neighbourhood Policing and Fire Rescue.
• Role of Thriving Neighbourhood's Board.
• Objective That local issues are resolved easily
  and speedily.
• Feedback from learning, barriers and policy
  issues gtgt strategic issues and planning
  processes.

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Support

• Service director with 7 Co-ordinators.
• Community Development Team.
• Democratic Services (from this autumn).
• Learning throughout to help develop the
  initiative.