Improving
environmental services using local experts.
The
project aims to improve the efficiency & effectiveness of environmental
services by engaging the local community (residents, businesses and workers) in
appraising service delivery, identifying gaps & duplication in service
provision, expressing local needs and working with service providers to meet
needs, fill gaps and prevent duplication. Community members experienced are the
receivers of services and therefore best placed to judge the effectiveness &
efficiency of services to meet local needs.
The
project will employ one 'Community Environmental Co-ordinator' with a remit to:
·
Develop
and promote existing and, if appropriate, find new ways for the community to
engage with service providers in planning and implementing environmental
improvements. Support the community to participate in dialogue and negotiation
with service providers.
·
Ensure
that community groups and residents have a voice in decision making and action
planning for local services, even when they find it difficult to participate in
meetings and events. Ensure that promised actions are carried out.
·
Develop
supportive networks amongst community groups and service providers actively
working to improve the environment.
·
Facilitate
links between those addressing local environmental issues and those addressing
other local issues (e.g. health, older people, crime, and community
development).
·
Support
community groups in applying for funding (mainstream or grant) to conduct their
own environmental improvements.
The
main vehicle for delivering this remit will be the Hillfields Environment Action
Group (EAG). This is a muliti-agency body that brings residents into contact
with service providers from the statutory, voluntary and private sector to work
in partnership and find ways of improving the environment to the benefit of
everybody. Within the current partnership arrangements this is the main way for
the local community to influence service delivery to ensure needs are met.
The
EAG is responsible for writing a three year Neighbourhood Action Plan that
details what will be done and by whom to improve the environment. Having written
the Plan the EAG then leads on monitoring the actions to make sure they happen
and offers support to delivery agencies where appropriate.
The
EAG links to the established strategic partnership, the Hillfields Neighbourhood
Team. This Team, led by Phoenix Area Co-ordination on behalf of the Council and
Watch on behalf of the community.
The EAG, Neighbourhood Management Team and other similar bodies are proven conduits for influencing service providers. The Community Environmental Co-ordinator will work with these bodies to ensure that service providers can benefit from the expertise of local residents, who have an unique overall view of service, and make their services meet local needs in the most effective and efficient ways.
Phoenix
Area Co-ordination (PACT):
PACT lead on partnership working in Hillfields. The partnership includes
agencies such as the Council, Police, Health Authority, housing providers, local
voluntary & community groups, schools and other providers and receivers of
services. PACT have indicated their support for this project (see appendix
attached letters of support) and will be the main vehicle for influencing
service providers via the regular Neighbourhood Management Team meetings. The
Community Environmental Co-ordinator will attend a range of Neighbourhood and
Action Group meetings.
City
Council's Area Renewal Team:
Area Renewal currently facilitate the Environment Action Group. This role
includes linking the Group to mainstream service providers so that information
can flow between residents and service providers and ensuring that actions
agreed within the Group are followed up. This project will work with the
facilitator to access and influence mainstream service delivery via the
Neighbourhood Management Team and other routes. Area Renewal have indicated
their support for this project (see attached letters of support)
Service providers: There are many suppliers of services in Hillfields, and many more that could become active in the area. Their involvement in this project will be to access local knowledge in how services are received to alter how their services are delivered to meet local needs. This will be done by engagement with the Environment Action Group, the Neighbourhood Management Team and other means.
Jenny Sansom, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
£121,000
Name Jenny Sansom
Brandon Marsh Nature Centre
Brandon Lane
Coventry
CV3 3GW
Telephone 024 7630 2912
E mail address jsansom@warwkswt.cix.co.uk
Updated: 4/3/2002
These details have been supplied freely by project sponsors in order to share information with other partners and the local community. If you are interested in supporting, advising or contributing to this project, then contact the project sponsor directly.