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Neighbourhood Management

Neighbourhood managementWhat is ‘Neighbourhood Management’

A new four-year project aimed at making neighbourhoods safer, cleaner and greener; and giving residents of those neighbourhoods more influence over local public services and how they are provided – from street cleaning and grass cutting, to action on crime and anti-social behaviour and activities for young people.

Is my neighbourhood included?

In North Tyneside, the following neighbourhoods within Chirton and Riverside have been selected:

  • East Howdon
  • Percy Main
  • North Meadow Well
  • South Meadow Well and Minton Lane
  • North west part of Royal Quays
  • The Triangle and Vicarage Street
  • Some parts of west North Shields

How is Neighbourhood Management paid for?

Neighbourhood Management is being introduced in selected areas across the country, with funding provided by the government. Over the four years to April 2010, North Tyneside will receive £1.6million to fund the project.

This money has been awarded to North Tyneside Strategic Partnership (NTSP) which includes the council, Northumbria Police, the Primary Care Trust, and the voluntary and community sector.

Who will run the project?

The Neighbourhood Management team, made up of a Manager - Sue Regan and Project Development Officer - Lisa Beck works with residents, community groups and councillors to identify local needs and priorities, and then put in place initiatives to bring about improvement.

Additionally, they also work closely with those agencies who provide public services in the area.

A key element of the project is the Neighbourhood Management Board. This will be made up of seven resident representatives (one from each neighbourhood), two young people’s representatives and the six ward councillors. They oversee the project and help identify priorities for action.

Members of the Board, in place to March 2008

East Howdon - Linda Whitworth
Percy Main - Jacqueline Graham (Deputy Chair)
North Meadow Well - Margaret Reynolds
South Meadow Well and Minton Lane - Carole Bell
North west Royal Quays - David Coe
The Triangle/Vicarage Street - Gavin Willis
Some parts of west North Shields - Terri Maltman
Young people's representatives - Sarah Yeaman and Natalie Graham
Chirton ward councillors - Amanda Normand, David Corkey, John Stirling
Riverside ward councillors - Frank Lott (Chair) Bruce Pickard, Norma Redfearn

The Neighbourhood Management team and Board will commission work on behalf of the neighbourhood, which could be provided by the voluntary and community sector, the private sector or one of NTSP’s partners. Some money will also be distributed to local groups through a Community Chest scheme.

Why is Neighbourhood Management being introduced?

The government are keen to give communities across the country more influence over services provided for them - an approach shared in the borough by North Tyneside Council, Northumbria Police, North Tyneside Primary Care Trust and the voluntary and community sector.

Consultation at a series of community events in North Tyneside during 2005 found that many residents wanted their communities to be more active, involved in making their views known, take part in decision making and help provide some services themselves via voluntary action.

Funding provided for Neighbourhood Management is an opportunity for NTSP to try out new ways of working with communities to help bring this about.

The government also wants to see some of the funding used to recruit more Neighbourhood Wardens to tackle environmental and ‘quality of life’ issues, and to support the introduction of neighbourhood policing teams.

Will it actually make a difference?

This is the first scheme of its type in the borough, and NTSP views it as an opportunity to work differently when providing public services and working with community organisations. It is hoped that the number of residents active in their community will increase as a result of the scheme.

Residents are the best people to identify what needs to be improved in a neighbourhood. Therefore their involvement will lead to service providers knowing more about the real priorities in a neighbourhood and so be able to provide more responsive services for residents as a result.

Through their representatives on the Neighbourhood Management Board, residents will be able to influence which services are required in their neighbourhoods and how they should be provided – commissioning the work to be carried out.

Baseline Survey

In August 2006 we carried out a survey in the project area to find out how people feel about their neighbourhoods and what their top priorities for action are. Information from this will be used by the team and the Board to decide what needs to be done and how the resources available should be used.

Carried out by an independent market research company, the survey was conducted using face to face doorstep interviews with just over 1,100 residents aged over 18. Neighbourhood Management is a four year project, so the survey will be repeated in 2010 to see the difference it has made to the area.

How do I find out more?

Residents in neighbourhoods covered by the scheme will receive regular updates, which will include details on how to apply to be a representative on the Neighbourhood Management Board.

If you require any further information in the meantime please contact 0191 200 8888 or email neighbourhood@northtyneside.gov.uk.

Useful links

National Neighbourhood Management website