Neighbourhood Management
What is it?
Neighbourhood management is a way to focus on very small geographical areas, working with the people who live here and service providers such as Police, NHS, councils and landlords. This approach is useful in areas where the quality of life for people is lower than the district average, in other words where people don’t benefit from the same levels of health, education, income etc. as the average.
The objective is to improve quality of life with active support of local people to identify problems, and find solutions that are then acted on with the providers of services.
Where did it come from?
Neighbourhood management is a key element of the Government’s national agenda for renewing neighbourhoods. It was introduced in October 2006 as a way to focus public resources and encourage public service providers to work together better. It originated in northern cities and towns during the 1990’s and has been introduced into the local area during 2007/8.
Neighbourhood Management in Huntingdonshire
Ramsey, Huntingdon North and Eynesbury in St Neots have all been designated neighbourhood management areas and each one is managed by a seperate organisation who work together.
Huntingdonshire District Council manage the work in Ramsey, Cambridgeshire County Council manage Huntingdon North and Luminus Housing manage Eynesbury. This website will focus mainly on the work being carried out in Ramsey.
Is this a time limited initiative?
No, this is a long term commitment to create real change and benefits for local people. Neighbourhood management is a shift in the way services are developed, and delivered. It is not dependent on external funding streams, but it can be used to bring in extra money to the Ramsey area.
Will it be possible to control spending locally?
Yes. In due course the aim is to move decision making and financial resources on many topics down to neighbourhood levels. The Board will be able to make decisions (based on information from the working groups and wider input from the community) about where money should be spent.
What can I do?
If you like the look of the approach we are taking from what you have heard, or if you have a topic you feel is important and would like to explore further to improve your quality of life, then we want to hear from you!
The Neighbourhood Office in Ramsey is located above the Community Information Centre. Staff and premises are supported by Huntingdonshire District Council.
The number to call is 01487 814897 or email Penny Litchfield (see Internal Links for her email address) or call in at the Neighbourhood Management office, 39 Great Whyte, Ramsey, PE26 1HH or write to Penny at the same address.
See the link to contact Diane Lane, for Huntingdon north information or Alan Haines for Eynesbury Information.
Why do we need it here in Ramsey?
Ramsey has been identified as a town that would benefit from this approach because research shows there is a lot of need including rural isolation, poor transport; lower than average educational aspirations and long-term health problems. The aim of neighbourhood management is to ensure services are more responsive to the specific needs of people here.
Why is it so important?
The neighbourhood management approach will link directly into important strategic groups such as the Huntingdonshire Local Strategic Partnership which includes all the major service providers in Huntingdonshire. This group sets and monitors priorities for support and joint action, including funding, planning and co-ordination at district level.
How does it work?
A management board consisting of local people and representatives from the police, NHS, etc. meet 4 times a year (see Minutes on linked documents on the right hand side) and work towards an agreed action plan based on priorities for the town. The board is supported by a neighbourhood manager and a small team of staff based in the town. Training, visits and guest speakers are provided to support the board.
How does the Board decide what work to do?
Priorities are set by the board, with input from as wide a range of local people as possible. Currently the priorities are:
- Transport
- Job Skills and Training
- Safer Communities
- Community Health and Well-being
- Democracy and Participation
Each priority topic has a working party made up of board members, subject specialists and interested individuals. They agree action including projects, lobbying and co-ordinating between groups. The groups meet regularly and review their progress annually.
Example 1 – Easier ways to better Health
If you or a member of your family find it difficult to lose weight, or have problem with smoking (or other addiction) or simply cannot speak to the right people, the Neighbourhood management approach may be able to help arrange different ways people and services can come together.
Example 2 – Safer areas to live
When a number of people are concerned with poor lighting and overgrown footpaths, the neighbourhood manager can co-ordinate discussion between residents, the police and council environmental maintenance staff to see what action is need to bring the paths back into safe use.
Example 3 – Buses that work for rural communities
Actively making better use of existing transport links by co-ordinating surveys of use, lobbying the bus companies in a co-ordinated way and better understanding the specific needs of people in Ramsey who use the buses.
Example 4 – Straightforward paths back to Work and training
Co-ordinating referrals between training and education services, so that people who want to improve their skills know where to start and when they complete a course have a route to the next course or employment advice etc.