Tag: neighbourhood

National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal evaluation

Evaluation of the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal: Scoping Study ( pdf 773KB) –  project to clarify the scope and methodological options to evaluate progress, lessons and  impact of the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal (for Neighbourhood Renewal Unit, ODPM) (project led by Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge). Educe inputs included developing content on ‘Characteristics of good strategy evaluation’ (including international best practice) and undertaking interviews with other government departments regarding their policy relationship and relevant data and research activities.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=208

Working with Business in LSPs

Working with Business in Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) ( pdf 270KB) – a guide intended to help anyone working to engage businesses with LSPs.This was produced in 2002 for Business in the Community, British Chambers of Commerce, Local Government Association and Neighbourhood Renewal Unit of the OPDM (now CLG).

It provides a brief introduction to LSPs, makes the case for effective business involvement and provides practical ideas for how to do this. The advice is still relevant today – not least for Local Enterprise Partnerships.

Also leaflet: LSPs and Neighbourhood Renewal: why business should get involved  ( pdf 183KB).

Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=202

Service Improvement Tools

Self assessment diagnostic tools on
  • Economic Development and Regeneration
  • Neighbourhood Renewal

These were designed to help local authorities review the way in which they develop, deliver and improve these services and activities. Produced for IDeA (the Improvement and Development Agency for local government) in 2003 and based on their Local Government Improvement Programme Model. The tools were designed for in-house review or for Peer Review.The tools are organised under three main themes:

  • Leadership and strategic planning
    • Vision and strategy; Change management; Motivation; Innovation and Creativity; Alliance Building
  • Democratic and community engagement
    • Democratic Representation; Scrutiny; Customer and Citizen Focus; Communication with Customers and Citizens; Consultation and Participation
  • Performance management
    • Planning and Review; People Management; Project Management; Systems and Processes Management; Financial Management
Under each heading are questions exploring good practice, and in addition, the Neighbourhood Renewal diagnostic features illustrations from Beacon Councils plus other resources. The tools can be used for specific services identified as priorities for improvement as well as for the whole programme area.If you want some help in focusing the review you will find a summary tables with the most important questions which can guide what you decide to do. These are also helpful as checklists for peer review exercises.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=199

Neighbourhood renewal case studies

Renewal.net was developed by the then Neighbourhood Renewal Unit as an on-line guide to what works in neighbourhood renewal. Published by the Department for Communities and Local Government, it included topic overviews, how to guides, case studies, project summaries and much more. Educe contributed subject overviews in the ‘Reviving Local Economies’ theme, on Business Development; Land, Property and Planning; and Engaging Employers – along with a number of case studies. Other items include an overview on Data Sharing, and a case study of Data Sharing and the Wigan and Leigh Community Safety Partnership (2005). Most Renewal.net documents were subsequently incorporated into the IDeA Partnerships and Places Library.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=178

Neighbourhood Renewal Skills & Knowledge Evaluation

Final reports from our evaluation of the national Skills and Knowledge for Neighbourhood Renewal programme, developed by the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit of the then ODPM. The programme sought to support performance improvement in Local Strategic Partnerships and other neighbourhood renewal partnerships, and help equip everyone with a role to play with the skills they need.

  • Seeking the Lessons: an evaluation of the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit’s Skills and Knowledge Programme: Research Report 19 (  428KB) and summary ( 163KB)

There are six background reports:

Project led by Educe with University of Cambridge (Department of Land Economy), Makesfive Ltd, GFA Consulting and Infoseek.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=176

Reducing Inequality Review

The Reducing Inequality Review, for Brighton & Hove Council and the 2020 Community Partnership (LSP) analysed existing evidence on dimensions of inequality in the city, across neighbourhoods, groups and communities of interest, before proceeding to review the contribution of local policies in reducing inequalities and disadvantage and consider future priorities. The review was undertaken jointly by Educe and Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion (OCSI), and carried out in two phases:

  • Phase one was essentially a needs assessment for the city, intended to set the scene for Phase two.
  • Phase two offered recommendations for approaches and strategies for reducing inequality in the city, which fed directly into the preparation of the new Local Area Agreement (LAA)

We worked with a steering group made up of various stakeholders, with the project involving over 100 people in the research, soundings and evidence gathering. The Reducing Inequality Review brought together for partners, for the first time, a substantial range of evidence to enable a coherent and up-to-date understanding of the needs of the city. The Council regard the review as an example of best practice in how cities can develop a sense of their local identity and the opportunities available.

The Phase 1 and Phase 2 reports are available for download from the Brighton & Hove Council website.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.educe.co.uk/?p=163