Neighbourhood Working
Each neighborhood in Lambeth is unique and has different issues and priorities. It is our responsibility as a partnership to ensure that we recognise and respond to this in the way we design and deliver services.
To make sure that we are working with our neighbourhoods in the best way possible, we are changing the way we work. We pledge to:
- Continue to genuinely listen to local people’s priorities and treat all local residents equally
- Provide services which combine effective delivery with value for money
- Devolve decision making and resources wherever practical
- Give real opportunities for local people and existing neighbourhood partnerships to be involved in neighbourhood working - this includes encouraging residents to take up paid positions in organisations and on delivery teams
- Encourage civic pride and establish more ownership in the community for local facilities, services and the life of local neighbourhoods
- Build trust within our communities and harness the energy of local people to tackle challenges.
To help us achieve our vision of genuine neighbourhood working, we are drawing on our existing experience working with neighbourhoods in Lambeth.
A great deal of work has already been started in two areas of the borough - Clapham Park and the South Bank. Alongside this, we have started making radical changes to the way services are designed and delivered in Coldharbour ward and the neighbouring town centre of Brixton.
We will use the knowledge we have gained in working with these three neighbourhoods to learn how to better deal with local issues at a local level. This will help to ensure local people in Lambeth, whatever their neighbourhood or area, are more involved in the design and delivery of the services they need.
Case Study: Clapham Park Projects
In February 2000 the Clapham Park area was selected by a borough-wide strategic partnership (now known as Lambeth First) to be Lambeth’s New Deal for Communities neighbourhood. A successful bid led to an award of £56 million over a ten-year period, starting in April 2001.
The Clapham Park Project New Deal for Communities (NDC) programme is community-led and driven. The purpose of the project is to improve the lives of residents through a series of initiatives relating to housing conditions, access to employment and a safer environment.
At the heart of the Clapham Park Project are residents. In July 2007 the Neighbourhood Forum was set up to give people the chance to raise issues and find out what’s going on in the area. The Forum meets quarterly and provides a crèche, refreshments and transport for elderly, vulnerable and disabled residents.
Residents who wish to get even more involved can become part of the Neighbourhood Forum Steering Group where they can assist with developing ideas, planning and co-ordinating the Neighbourhood Forum meetings.
All residents receive training to improve their skills and develop their confidence. Anyone living within the Thornton Ward age 16 or over is entitled to be a member of the Steering Group. Currently there are five members, including one of the Thornton Ward Councillors.
For those residents who cannot attend meetings, the Clapham Park Project also produces a quarterly newsletter called Parklife. It provides update on project achievements, information about new services and upcoming events.
There are a number of other sub-groups which lead on particular aspects of the Clapham Park Project’s work.
These include the Service Providers Forum, the Community and Voluntary Networking Group, the Clapham Park Youth Forum (CPYF), the Health Steering Group, the Time Bank Steering Group and the Neighbourhood Warden’s Steering Group.
This means there are opportunities for everyone to play a role in tackling specific issues which affect them and their neighbours.
Please go to the Clapham Park Project website for more information.
Case Study: Waterloo
The South Bank Employers Group (SBEG) is an association of major organisations in the South Bank, Waterloo and Blackfriars area that promotes the best possible experience for employees, residents and visitors to its area.
The area has a long history of neighbourhood partnership working (through the South Bank Partnership); community participation (through the South Bank Forum and an active community sector); and business-led neighbourhood-based delivery through SBEG.
The current priority principal areas of activity of South Bank Employers’ Group are:
- Physical Regeneration, Transport and Highways capital projects
- Neighbourhood-based Town Centre Management services such as cleansing, patrolling, graffiti removal
- Working to secure a programme to remedy the highway and footpath maintenance backlog
- Investigating and developing commercial advertising and licensed on-street trading to create income streams to sustain future enhanced neighbourhood management
- Management of Utilities
- Security, Community Safety and Emergency Planning
- Area Promotion and Tourism Development.
These priorities reinforce the aims of the South Bank Partnership’s Manifesto for Action.
The local community has direct involvement in the work of the Partnership through the South Bank Forum – a well-attended quarterly open meeting of the South Bank community.
The local community are also kept updated about local improvements and opportunities through South Bank News – a free, quarterly magazine produced and distributed to all households, business and community groups.
Case study: Brixton
The Brixton town centre improvements will be delivered by the public sector agencies working in partnership at a local level under a jointly appointed town centre director – They will be focused on four key workstreams.
- Enforcement - the delivery of intelligence-led, seamless and devolved enforcement services comprising policing, anti-social behaviour, licensing, and planning to deliver immediate reductions in crime, ASB and related problems in the town centre area.
- Environment - the development and transformation of the public realm and physical environment, dealing with crime and grim issues to make the town centre more attractive
- Business and enterprise - the development of the economy and training and employment opportunities within central Brixton.
- Investment and Physical Regeneration – driving the work on delivery the Brixton masterplan and levering in external investment from the private sector.
As with each of the neighbourhood models the local community are vital to making the right improvements.
To this end we will be establishing and supporting a Brixton Stakeholders Group comprising community “champions”, third sector organisations, residents, businesses and landowners who will act as the main external group to which the new Brixton Town Centre Director and team will be accountable
Partnership Focus on Coldharbour Ward
As part of the Working Neighbourhood Fund, Lambeth and its partners will be focusing on our most deprived neighbourhood in Coldharbour ward, in Brixton, to improve access to employment and training opportunities, provide better health and childcare and bring about a safer environment.
Lambeth First will be investing significant resources and effort to solve these problems through a multi disciplinary team headed up by a dedicated Coldharbour ward manager.
We will be working in schools, in the community and on the streets to make Coldharbour a safer, cleaner and better place to live and grow up.
Furthermore we are hoping to base the team in the heart of the ward at a new ‘Employment hub’ and community space on the Loughborough estate, where a range of services will be located aimed at reducing worklessness in the ward.
As Coldharbour ward covers the majority of Brixton Town Centre, this focus will complement the neighbourhood working pilot we are also running in Brixton Town Centre.
