Agenda item

- report of the Executive Director of Housing and Environmental Services

The Executive Director of Housing and Environmental Services  presented a report on the new structural arrangements for the Programme Area.

The proposed arrangements represented a radical reconfiguration recognising the significant progress made to improve quality of services and to address the challenges facing the Council in the medium term.  The main changes were:-

·                    You would see someone in charge in every neighbourhood

·                    More members of staff out on the streets problem solving and also preventing problems escalating

·                    Better co-ordination of activity and join forces with partners and other agencies to improve service to the public

·                    Target the Programme Area’s strengths and activity to ensure that they were used more actively where needed

·                    Crime and disorder and anti-social behaviour issues and the pulling together of those involved in tackling the work within the neighbourhood.

There were also two other issues that the restructuring would address.  Firstly, the ALMO.  The new structures would enable a smooth transition for service users from Council delivery to ALMO delivery.  Secondly, there had been suggestions as to how Area Assemblies and Community Planning could be improved.  The strengthening of the local community leadership role of Ward Members would be addressed by the mainstreaming of some of their activity through the structures.

The main features of the proposals were highlighted in particular the key challenges facing each Service Area.

A number of suggestions had been made on the new name for the Programme Area.  “Neighbourhoods” was the preferred option.  The name would reflect the Council’s efforts to deliver neighbourhood management and neighbourhood objectives across the Borough.  It was about places and people, neighbourhood and communities.

Discussion ensued on the restructuring proposals.  The following comments were made:-

·                    There would be savings in the region of £105,000 due, in part, to the “flatter” structure and less managers.  270 posts had been deleted due to the method of delivery being changed with 220 new posts being created.

·                    The Neighbourhood Management structures had been designed to reflect the number of stock as at 1^st April, 2005 when it became the responsibility of the ALMO.

·                    The Executive Director was to consult with the Police Authority on their interaction with and contribution to the Neighbourhood Management Strategy.  A report was to be submitted to the Cabinet and Scrutiny setting out the way forward for the Council on neighbourhood management.  The Police were keen to work alongside the Council and Neighbourhood Wardens to tackle anti-social behaviour and exchange information to allow them to concentrate on the harder policing issues.  Discussions were taking place with regard to the Police devolving a number of Community Police Officers to work much more closer with Neighbourhood Managers in Area Assemblies.  A joint training programme was being devised.

·                    As part of the new arrangements the relationship with RBT would be examined as well as the ALMO having the right to revisit any contract the Council had and any service provided by the Council.  At the last inspection of the Repairs and Maintenance Services, RBT was found to be one of the strengths of the Service but consideration needed to be given as to how it could be improved for the future.  RBT’s performance was monitored on a monthly basis and was currently delivering to high satisfaction levels.

·                    A report was to be submitted to the Scrutiny Panel on the development of Area Assemblies linked to the whole Neighbourhood Management Service.   It would explain how the Programme Area would consult with Members to ascertain their experience and views on Area Assemblies.

·                    There would be the issue of the name of the ALMO Board which would only focus on housing.

·                    Members should be supplied with the mobile telephone numbers of members of staff if there were to be less front line staff.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received and the proposals, including the renaming of the Programme Area, be supported.

(2)  That the Executive Director of Housing and Environmental Services submit a report on the development of Area Assemblies.

(3)  That the Executive Director of Housing and Environmental Services submit a report on the involvement of the Police in the Neighbourhood Management Strategy.