Agenda and minutes

Received a report advising on the outcome of the work that had been undertaken towards the development of the Borough’s Neighbourhood Management Strategy.

Agreed, in orderto deliver better localised services and reduce inequality in the Borough’s most disadvantaged neighbourhoods, that:

1)  A Neighbourhood Management Strategy for the Borough be now fully developed and costed, consisting of:

a)  A neighbourhood management model that is primarily about ‘influencing’ service delivery to enable the localisation of services

b)  A mixed approach to Neighbourhood Management in the Borough - an intensive approach in sub-ward localities of highest need, and a less intensive approach across wards elsewhere

c)  The proposals contained within the report relating to the co-location of staff, integrated neighbourhood service access, the role of residents, the drawing together of all neighbourhood management work within Adult & Community Services and the approach developing around resources.

2)  The methodology detailed within the report will be applied in order to identify the neighbourhoods with the highest needs for the ‘intensive’ approach to Neighbourhood Management;

3)  The intensive Neighbourhood Management approach is implemented for the Heath Park Estate at an early stage from resources through Capital Ambition (£100k) and Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (£30k), and that Ward Councillor Mrs Linda Reason be involved in the process.

Received a report concerning the implementation of the Disability Equality Scheme (DES), required as a result of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and its 2005 amendment.

Agreed, in order to meet statutory requirements and greatly improve access to goods and services for disabled people, as well as supporting the inclusion of disabled people into mainstream community life, to:

1)  The publication and borough-wide distribution of the Disability Equality Scheme and action plan as detailed in the report;

2)  That the implementation of the Disability Equality Scheme be monitored by the Safer Stronger Communities Board within the Local Area Agreement framework;

Received a report detailing the proposed priorities and direction of travel for the Council for the next twelve months.

Agreed, in order to give clarity to the preparation of service plans, to:

1)  The key priorities and issues identified in the report as the basis for service planning and prioritization for 2007 / 2008, and

2)  The framework to inform the ongoing work of the medium term financial strategy and 2007 / 2008 budget process.