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Strategic Co-ordination of Work in Areas and Neighbourhoods

Background

Southwark has taken a number of steps over the past two years aimed at taking forward the objective of coordinating management and delivery of improved services at the local level. This work - largely funded by the Neighbourhood Renewal Funds allocated by the Southwark Alliance - has led to the development of a model which applies to the whole borough. Its development has drawn on initial work which took place in Camberwell, Peckham and South Bermondsey (which is a Neighbourhood Pathfinder Area). The aim in developing the model has been to formalise and standardise (where appropriate) what to date has been an iterative development and also to provide greater legitimacy to the role of area coordinator.

Role and responsibilities

The model centres on the role of four area coordinators, each covering two community council areas. The coordinators aim to work with existing and emerging themed based local networks and partnerships. The key role of the coordinators will be to:

• Oversee and be accountable for the implementation of the Area Plans (one for each community council area)
• Develop a range of innovative ways to promote community involvement and engagement, particularly for those not usually engaged.
• Work with agencies to help bend services to local circumstances.
• To problem solve with agencies as required.
• Manage any devolved funds.

The area co-ordinator will act as the key point of contact in a community council area, managing relationships with the community and other stakeholders. The coordinators will line manage community engagement staff and an intelligence/analytical capacity in each area. In addition, the area coordinator will provide policy and administrative support to the community council.

In July 2006, Russell Profitt was appointed Head of Areas and Community Engagement. He works with the Area Co ordiantors and others to roll out the area model, line manage the area coordinators and in due course to coordinate the development of area plans in accordance with the community strategy – Southwark 2006.

In carrying out this role, Co-ordinators will seek to:

• Work with elected representatives to act as a champion for the area, and ensure that local needs and issues are identified and acknowledged.
• Bring together the key agencies who deliver services and programmes to people in the area.
• Work with agencies to improve communications and engagement with local people, including through Community Councils, any local neighbourhood Forums, Neighbourhood Housing Forums, and other local forums.
• Seek local solutions to particular issues where this is appropriate and support the relevant agencies in achieving this
• Identify issues where change would involve major policy or practice developments with implications across the borough and ensure these are reported to and addressed by the appropriate agency or partnership

Present structures

The model - which is still developing - will of course be subject to changes arising form any council led reviews and forthcoming local Government legislation aimed at greater local measures of devolution and community empowerment.

Presently however, there are four area coordinators all of whom are:

• Based locally,
• Operate within existing available resources.

• Members of the Regeneration and Neighbourhoods as permanent council staff.

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