A top priority throughout the New Deal for Communities (NDC) programme has been to look to the future and make sure that the benefits of our projects continue in the area after all the funding has been invested. We are doing this in a number of ways which are listed below.
Mainstreaming
This is the name used to describe the funding of a project by a public sector body (often called 'mainstream provider') such as Brighton and Hove City Council. Sometimes if the project itself isn't funded, then either the principle or policy of it will be continued instead.
We have had some great successes so far. A Police Sargeant post we had funded was mainstreamed by the police after only 12 months, because it was proved to be so successful. This has led to two more sergeants for the East Brighton area! The city council has also adopted new and innovative approaches to community safety, reducing smoking, developing cookery skills - and even how council homes are allocated in the city - all schemes originally piloted by NDC funded projects.
Neighbourhood Management
This is the name used for the way we improve the delivery of services, such as employment or education. We do this by bringing together the people that know what might work best i.e. residents and people that deliver the services. This means that services will be more appropriate to local need. Some examples of our achievements to date are:
- Funding community managed buildings such as The Bridge and the Whitehawk Inn to deliver employment and education advice services;
- Co-ordinating services to support victims of domestic violence so that more incidents are reported and more prosecutions happen;
- Working with residents to develop Neighbourhood Agreements between services and community groups for areas like children's parks and subways;
- Involving residents in the planning, delivery and ongoing monitoring of service improvements.
Community Organisations
We have funded projects to support the development of groups and organisations that are vital to community development and cohesion. Many groups already existed in the area prior to the programme so we have built on this firm basis and worked to make sure that the groups and organisations that remain in our communities are as strong and robust as they can possibly be.
East Brighton Trust
This is our main successor body - a company run by local people for the benefit of local people. The Trust manages the assets bought through the programme - such as shops and flats and a business centre - and reinvests the profit back into local community groups.
The Trust is made up of five local residents and four partners. More information about the work of the Trust will be available on the website (currently under development).
Enterprise
We have increased local economic activity to create employment and training opportunities for local people, helping to create a healthier local economy. Our main project 'ebbs' (East Brighton Business Support) is a unique service in Brighton & Hove which has helped over 100 businesses to start or develop! ebbs is now established as a Community Interest Company (CIC) and has set up an incubator ('start-up') unit at Westergate Business Centre to provide practical support for developing and supporting local entrepreneurs and their businesses.
We part funded the building of the award-winning Westergate Business Centre, which provides some 20,000sq ft. of office and workshop space. The aim of the centre is to nurture new businesses with 'easy in, easy out' letting agreements and also to attract new businesses into the area, helping local employment opportunities.
The major developments at the Marina, Preston Barracks and the Falmer Stadium also present major opportunities for enterprise which we will be exploring further with the agencies concerned.
For more information...
Please contact Paul Allen on 01273 293103 or email paul.a.allen@brighton-hove.gov.uk