South West Councils - 2009

Launch of Stronger Communities Agenda

“Helping to Achieve Greater Localism, Choice and Community Empowerment”

21 April 2009

The South West Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnership (SW RIEP) held an event in Loxton, Somerset for 85 delegates.

The aim of this event was to help authorities in the region gain the maximum benefit from the stronger communities programme. as outlined in the White Paper ‘Communities in control: real people, real power’.

The outcome of the recent survey sent to all local authorities in the South West region was announced, summarising the findings from the questionnaires received. These findings will help the SW RIEP to further plan and shape the stronger communities programme.

The six key themes covered in the recent survey and which are to be addressed in the delivery plan, formed the basis of the event. These are:

• Mainstreaming – achieving culture change in councils and partnerships
• Integrating community empowerment with equality and cohesion
• Building the evidence and business case for community empowerment
• The role of members in community empowerment
• Working with community and neighbourhoods
• A vibrant third sector

Following the success of this event, the SW RIEP gained a greater understanding of what’s needed and achieved its objective of planning and shaping the delivery of the stronger communities programme.

The South West Neighbourhood Resource Centre was proud to manage this event.  Please find below links to the presentations given.

For any further information regarding the services offered by the South West Neighbourhood Resource Centre, please email: swresourcecentre@swindon.gov.uk

• South West region -  survey outcome

Outcome Survey (181Kb)

• Survey Outcomes, Influencing the Future Programme and theme

Paul Clarke, Senior Improvement and Development Manager, IDeA

So..What is the SW RIEP (88.7Kb)

Laura Braybrook, Research Fellow, Bristol UWE

Survey Outcomes (32.6Kb)

• Mainstreaming and Achieving, Culture Change in Councils and Partnerships

Julie Martin, Corporate Advisor; Community Leadership and Governance, Wiltshire Council
Niki Lewis, Service Director; Community Leadership and Governance, Wiltshire Council

How we are working in Wiltshire (1.39Mb)

• Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive,RSA - podcast

http://media.kennet.gov.uk/wiltshire-assembly/index.html

• Strong Resilient Communities - podcast

http://media.kennet.gov.uk/wiltshire-assembly/communities.html

The Role of Members in Community Empowerment

Ernest Opuni, Improvement Manager, Improvement Services, IDeA

Emerging Themes (67.2Kb)

• A Vibrant Third Sector

Steve Woolett, Chief Executive, South West Forum
Rachel Wright, Voluntary Sector Policy Manager, Gloucestershire County Council;

Relationship between National Indicators (88.3Kb)

• Building the Evidence and Business Cases for Community Empowerment

Gabriel Chanan, Independent Consultant on Community Involvement, Engagement and Development
Alison Painter, Organisational Development Manager – Business Transformation, Devon County Council

Valuing Empowerment (48.4Kb)