Agenda item

Report of the Strategic Director, Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities

The Committee received a report and presentation on the currently locality working model being rolled out in the South area.

To support the activity a work programme has been developed that will:

·        Align the Family Hub model to the broader locality model to support the “whole family/all age” approach and align the activity closely with VCS partners that will support / develop or commission the community development approach in support of the family hub network

·         Implement a locality-based case management approach within the Early Help Service and develop a programme to embed the links with the Housing services and neighbourhood management teams/partners in localities

·         Develop a locality based plan for the South with the aim that it has synergy with the Primary Care Network to tackle health inequalities

·         Develop and co-design training with health teams that connects and upskills customer facing teams in localities

·         Through the establishment of a data lab, incorporates specific learning activity and opportunities that pave the way for further development of the locality based approach across Gateshead Council

·         Recognise the importance of schools and the contribution made to the locality approach and locality working models are mapped to schools to ensure a network of wrap around support for schools to support integrated early help and prevention services which is easy to access and seamless

The locality work which has been done to date builds on the findings of Public Service Reform, lessons learned from Community Hubs, partnership working within our Children’s Centres and Thrive in Beacon Lough East. 

The initial roll-out of the locality team is in the South following the appointment of the Strategic Lead for that area.

A number of issues have been identified to work through and relationships with partners, the community and other stakeholders are being built up.

It was queried whether this can help other community centres who aren’t in the South. It was noted that support for community centres and the voluntary sector continues to be provided via Connected Voice and outside of the south there is support from the wider Neighbourhood Management team.

It was noted by members that it very important that we are working with the Police and PCSOs in particularly around ASB.

There was concern expressed with regards to the pressure on the voluntary sector to get funding as this is not always possible. It was noted that there is lottery funding available, but it is not always possible to apply due to capacity in the sector.

It was noted that Safer Streets funding and schemes that it has supported have been great in the south it was queried whether there would be an opportunity to bid for this funding in other areas.

It was noted that Safer Streets Scheme is a PCC Funded Project which ends in December 2023. It is understood the PCC are considering having future schemes across the force area which the Council would have to bid for.  

It was noted that there is work going on and a mapping exercise is being undertaken of all the different pockets of youth work in the borough.

It was noted that we would all welcome a funded youth services which would make a difference to people’s lives.

It was noted that it is important that this is an integral link in with the resourcing of youth services and whilst we are relying on the voluntary and community sector that is funding in the Youth Investment Fund.

The report sets out a timetable and milestones for the work programme to roll out. It was noted that this ambitious report was welcomed but that if we are going to de-centralise provision of services, political oversight is needed.

RESOLVED           -    That the comments of the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee be noted.