Be Birmingham Charter Programme David Cockcroft and Claire Fairclough

The Charter – Refresh A robust, voluntary agreement which sets out the mutual rights, responsibilities and expectations between residents, social landlords and other service providers for creating a clean, safe and green neighbourhood.

Collaboration can transform this…

To this

Why a CSG Charter? Provides a stakeholder consensus on the local issues Baseline for improvement and action planning Clarity of service commitments and resident expectations Physical improvements lead to improved quality of life and reduced fear of crime Increase satisfaction with levels of local management Contributes to attainment of engagement, satisfaction and quality indicators Provide an environment in which local businesses can thrive – contribute to retaining jobs

Birmingham Council Plan 2008 – 2013 “Making our city a cleaner, greener and safer place to live will be a key priority over the next five years and beyond.” (Pg 12) “Priority Actions: Developing local neighbourhoods that will thrive, be clean and attractive.” (Pg 17)

Birmingham LAA 2008 to 2011 ‘Encourage more active participation of Birmingham’s citizens in neighbourhood and citywide organisations, events and civic institutions.’ Relevant Indicator: NI 4 Percentage of people who feel they can influence decisions in their locality ‘Improve Birmingham’s neighbourhoods, particularly the least affluent ones, in terms of deprivation, service delivery and overall quality of life for residents.’ Relevant Indicators: NI 5 Overall/general satisfaction with local area; LI Closing the gap between Priority/At Risk neighbourhoods and the Birmingham average on the Neighbourhoods Deprivation Index (NDI)

Birmingham 2026 – Sustainable Community Strategy Personalisation – ensuring we tailor our services to people’s needs. (Pg 7) Outcome 2: Stay safe in a clean, green city… More people will consider their neighbourhood and city to be clean and safe fear of crime will be reduced, including tackling issues that people perceive as threatening and destructive, such as graffiti (Pg 35) Outcome 4: Enjoy a high quality of life By a high quality of life we mean: more people will be satisfied with their neighbourhood as a place to live more people will be satisfied with our parks and open spaces… (Pg 47)

Accountability and Responsibility shared by all Resident involvement – empowerment Community pride and ownership Prevention – behaviour change Partnership-working framework Flexibility and Efficiency Shared target attainment Demonstrates stakeholder commitment to the area Charters - more than physical improvement

The Charter – the process Identify local priorities through Stakeholder consultation Resident consultation Collate local service standards, commitments and responsibilities through desktop research and discussion Produce bespoke documentation - Charter copy Neighbourhood distribution and communication Opportunities for action planning and service efficiencies Ongoing partner relationships

Programme Update and Timetable Priority Neighbourhood Scoping Meeting & Walkabout Strategic Document Analysis Stakeholder input Resident consultation Charter draft Charter complete Kingstanding Central Design & Print to do Saltley & Washwood Heath Postponed until March / April ‘10 Lozells Drop-in delayed until Jan Farm Park & Sparkbrook North Scoping meeting to be held together with Be Birmingha m, Police & Fire Service – Jan ‘10 Firs & Bromford Newtown, Hockley & St Georges

Resident Feedback example from Kingstanding Undertaken by Keep Britain Tidy Market Research Division Market research helps determine priorities but also understand why people feel the way they do Group sessions provides qualitative rather than quantitative analysis 2 groups (split by age – ages and 35 & over) Residents were recruited to contribute via door to door canvassing (offered small cash incentive to participate) Recruitment rather than invite ensures a good sample and is likely to attract others than the ‘usual’ voices Total of 20 invites (10 for each group) Attendance: 7 (18-35), 9 (35 & over)

The sense of community spirit. “[People are] caring. You can always rely on your neighbours.” Location / easy access to transport links. The facilities in the area. This included the local shops, access to larger retailers (more typical high street shops) and local schools. The Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) presence in the area. Activities for young people provided by the New Heights Community Project. Respondents from the younger group noted that they felt safe in the area. “The best things about living in this area are…”

The perceived lack of facilities for young people and young people hanging around in groups. Drugs / drug dealing. “[Drugs are] so cheap…cheaper than getting drunk.” High crime rate in the area. Condition of the roads. The perceived lack of street sweepers working to cleanse the area. Dog fouling – particularly apparent in the park, but also on the street. Respondents from the younger noted a lack of police officers (“real police” as opposed to Police Community Support Officers). “The worst things about living in this area are…”

Local environmental quality (LEQ) / related antisocial behaviour (ASB) issues discussed without prompting: Litter Dog Fouling Recycling Street Cleaners Graffiti Ripped Bin Bags Bin Bags versus Wheeled Bins Fly tipping (waste placed out incorrectly as opposed to bulky fly tips

Ranking of Issues: Group 1: 18 – 35’s

Ranking of Issues: Group 2: (over 35’s)

Opportunities for enhancing next phase of programme Ensure neighbourhood buy-in prior to commencement of remaining charters (joint meeting) Identify and move forward with the neighbourhoods most ready to proceed Reduce repetitive meetings for key Council officers Utilise key stakeholder info that is applicable across boundaries Basket of performance indicators

Next Steps Joint scoping meeting for remaining neighbourhood managers, Police & Fire Service Reps - Jan ‘10 Completion date for all Charters – MARCH 2011 Further update – suggest Summer 2010 Washwood Heath – re-commence March / April ‘10 Design and Print Agree basket of indicators centrally to allow partners to plan effectively

Questions? Or contact: Claire Fairclough – David Cockcroft –