e-Bulletin, March 2008
Welcome to the March edition of the Partners IN Salford e-Bulletin!
There's so much happening in the city and our new local area agreement and sustainable community strategy are taking shape, so we'll be publishing a monthly e-Bulletin from now on. Please let colleagues and members of your team know about our news, or discuss any of the items at your team meetings.
We're including more neighbourhood news in the e-Bulletin to show that by working in partnership we're making a difference in Salford's communities.
The next deadline is 16th April - please e-mail ideas, information and short articles to partnersinsalford@salford.gov.uk.
To be added to our distribution list, e-mail us at the same address.
Contact us...
partnersinsalford@salford.gov.uk
0161 603 6800
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Partners IN Salford business
The new local area agreement (LAA) and sustainable community strategy (SCS)
In our last e-Bulletin we told you all about the background to our new LAA and SCS - two very important documents for the future of Salford. There's lots more on our webpage about the new LAA and SCS.
Since the last newsletter, we have developed and agreed headline priorities for our LAA. These priorities were initially selected because:
- they are critical to achieving the vision for the city - the desired level of performance has not been achieved so far - additional partnership working over and above what happens is needed - a significant change is required over the three years of the LAA |
Each priority is supported by a written business case giving evidence to back up its selection.
In the last few weeks work has also started to decide which indicators from the government's list of national indicators we should select to go in our LAA to monitor progress against these priorities. Our LAA will consist of 35 indicators that government will monitor (refered to as our 'designated' indicators) and also local indicators that are critical to Salford's success. Finally we will set targets - which must be challenging enough to make a real difference over the three years of the LAA - for each of the indicators.
There's more below, but if you have any queries about the LAA or SCS or questions that we could answer in a future e-Bulletin, please don't hesitate to e-mail us or call us on 0161 603 6800.
Since the last e-Bulletin...
Partnership board meeting - 6th February 2008
All of our partners came to the Lowry in early February to have their say about the draft priorities that had been developed in December and January. On the whole, there was agreement that the priorities were right, but partners highlighted some important gaps.
Community consultation evening - 19th February 2008
On 19th February we held a consultation evening for members of thematic partnerships, the voluntary and community sector and for strategic partnership board members who weren't able to attend on the 6th. The aim of the evening was to find out whether people agreed with the LAA priorities. Around 50 delegates had their say on each of the priorities, with experts on hand to explain why the priority had been chosen. There was agreement that the priorities were generally correct.
The feedback from the 6th and 19th February is being shared with the theme leads so they can take account of it in their future planning. Thanks for everyone who has had an input so far, we will keep you informed as the LAA develops.
Joint cabinet & partnership executive meeting - 26th February 2008
Changes were made to our choice of priorities after the 6th and 19th February events. The city council's cabinet and the partnership executive met together two weeks ago to discuss them, and have agreed the following:
Obesity Smoking Alcohol Teenage pregnancy Anti-social behaviour Fear of crime Basic skills Worklessness Vulnerable adults Older people More people into higher education Raising educational attainment, particularly the proportion of pupils achieving 5 A* - C GCSEs including English and maths |
Affordable homes Climate change & carbon emissions Attractive & well maintained city Transport & connectivity to services Community cohesion Community engagement & empowerment Parenting & family life Child poverty Looked after children Growing & developing business in Salford Enterprise Developing mediacity:uk |
SPOTLIGHT
SPOTLIGHT is currently being evaluated through a series of interviews and group sessions with participants in the process. Findings of the evaluation will be reported to the strategic partnership executive in March, and the process will be refined and improved as a result.
There's a good deal of interest in the SPOTLIGHT model (which was devised in Salford) from elsewhere. Colleagues from Trafford council and other Greater Manchester authorities will be visiting Salford to learn all about our innovative practice.
Learning from SPOTLIGHT
We've learnt a lot from the three SPOTLIGHTs so far. We now know that we have to understand how a particular issue affects a small community in much greater depth. To gain this understanding , it is important to listen to the thoughts and ideas of residents and those who work closely with them. We also need to think more about how we can work together, rather than as separate bodies, to provide services that really meet the community's needs. We've also seen the vital role that the voluntary and community sector can play in delivering services, and the importance of ensuring that they are fully supported to do this.
The second edition of our SPOTLIGHT newsletter, which reports what we've learnt from the process in greater depth will be out soon. Keep an eye out for it at www.partnersinsalford.org/spotlight or e-mail karen.mccrackle@salford.gov.uk to be sent a copy by e-mail or post.
SPOTLIGHT - Little Hulton
The Little Hulton SPOTLIGHT, which is looking at how we can better help lone parents who don't work, is now underway. We are currently collecting the views of front line workers and the local community about their experiences of not working and its impact on them and their community. Briefing sessions for the area's political executive and strategic stakeholders are also planned.
Organisations and bodies involved in this SPOTLIGHT include the council, Jobcentre Plus, the Learning and Skills Council, community and voluntary groups, the Primary Care Trust, neighbourhood management, housing, training providers, including colleges, and children's centres.
If you are a front line worker who assists lone parents in Little Hulton, you can help! Your opinions and experiences of working in Little Hulton are really important to the SPOTLIGHT process. They will help us to fully understand people's attitudes to being out of work so that together we can come up with the most effective solutions.
Fill in our online questionnaire by 14 March 2008
Salford's BME directory
The first two parts of Salford's Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) directory - profiles of the city's Yemeni and Orthodox Jewish communities - have been published. The directory is one part of the partnership's Ethnicity Monitoring Framework project and each profile identifies the city's BME communities, their levels of inclusion and the distinctive issues facing each community. This will ensure that partner organisations are delivering services which are responsive to the needs of BME communities. |  |
NICE publishes new guidance on community engagement
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) officially launched its new guidance on community engagement at the Local Government Association's second Sustainable Communities conference. The local strategic partnership team's community governance officer, Gerry Stone, was part of the NICE panel that produced the guidance.
The guidance is important as it represents the first concerted attempt to draw together evidence on what is most likely to affect the broader determinants of health and to contribute to reductions in health inequalities. It pulls together a wide range of evidence which tells us about what needs to be in place for community engagement to be effective at a local level. In particular the guidance makes it clear that much depends on statutory organisations being prepared to change the way they think and act, in order to redress imbalances of power between those who provide services, and those for whom the services are intended.
NICE are seeking opportunities to raise the profile of the guidance via local, regional and national events to ensure that community engagement is done to a high standard across the country and becomes a norm rather than selected best practice.
Our meetings
As usual, papers and minutes from the partnership can be found on our website at www.partnersinsalford.org/meetings-and-events-archive
Salford news
What's on
Salford's communities of identity are all holding events over the coming weeks. Please contact each group directly if you would like to attend.
13/3/08: Salford Faith Forum invite you to a conversation with the Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP on the new inter-faith strategy consultation. The event is on from 7.30pm until 9pm at Salford Link Project, Chadwick Road, Eccles. Contact Aaishah on 07877 735 287 for more information.
27/3/08: Salford BME Forum are holding a conference between 10am and 2.30pm at Hemsley House. Download the flyer
15/4/08: Salford Lesbian Gay Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) Network are organising an event aimed at providing health information to LGBT people in Salford. The event is at the Broadwalk Training Centre between 4pm and 6pm. Download the invitation letter
For details of Salford Disability Forum's event, please contact the Forum
Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Trust
In February Bolton, Salford and Trafford Mental Health Trust gained Foundation status and changed its name to Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.
The new name reflects the areas the Trust provides services to - Bolton, Salford, Trafford, Manchester, parts of Wigan and Leigh and other areas within Greater Manchester and the wider North West.
By gaining Foundation status the Trust will have more freedom to listen to the needs of its service users, carers, staff and members of the public about services and care delivered by the Trust. Find out more at www.bstmht.nhs.uk
Let's keep vehicle crime down!
Vehicle crime is down by over 20% in Salford, but we're all being encouraged to do our bit to keep it down. By following these top tips you'll reduce the likelihood of your vehicle being targeted...
- Always remove sat navs, car stereos, work tools and valuables from your vehicle, taking care to wipe away any sucker marks from the glass which could indicate that a sat nav is hidden inside
- Always lock your vehicle even if you are only away from it for a few seconds
- Get an approved car alarm or immobiliser and make sure that it is visible or that the manufacturer's sticker is clearly displayed in the window. Also consider other anti-theft devices such as steerign wheel locks
- Have your vehicle registration number etched on your windows and headlights
- Whereever possible try to park in well lit and secure car parks
- Never leave important documents such as the vehicle registration document, your driving licence or insurance details in the vehicle
- Never leave your car keys near your front door or where they can be seen through windows as they are an easy target for 'hook and cane' burglars
Get FREE or reduced price security devices today!
There are a host of helpful devices available that the Salford Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership is offering for free or at a reduced price including immobilisers and car security kits. For more information, visit www.salford.gov.uk/community-safety-wicked-items, e-mail community.safety@salford.gov.uk or call 0161 793 3576.
Check out the new NDC website!
Check out the redesigned NDC website at www.chalk-ndc.info for all you need to know about regeneration in Charlestown and Lower Kersal. The site has been given a fresh new look and more information and pictures have been added to really show off all the good things already available and many more to come in Charlestown and Lower Kersal. Keep checking back as more content is added over the coming weeks, or add the site to your favourites. If your partnership organisation or community group would like to add links or information on your activities, please get in touch. E-mail Helen Robertshaw or write to NDC, Freepost NAT 5196, Salford, M6 9ZQ. Of course you can still give NDC feedback any time via the contact us page. |  |
Fairtrade fortnight
Fairtrade fortnight has just finished. Fairtrade does what it says on the label - it guarantees a better deal for producers in the developing world and a fair deal for all producers. Salford is committed to supporting Fairtrade, and was granted 'Fairtrade city' status from the Fairtrade Foundation in 2005. You can still pledge your support to Salford's Fairtrade status.
Success for Salford Construction Partnership!
Salford Construction Partnership (SCP) was highly commended in the recent Local Government Chronicle (LGC) and Health Service Journal (HSJ) Sustainable Communities Awards 2008, in the partnership award for sustainable communities category.
In addition, SCP are still in the running for the LGC's national awards for local government, in the public and private partnership category. The awards will be presented on 17 March at the Grosvenor House hotel.
This is a well deserved accolade for SCP - all the best for the LGC awards!
www.visitsalford.info
Take a look at the re-vamped website for visitors to Salford - www.visitsalford.info.
Seedley and Langworthy community forum
The Seedley and Langworthy Community Forum is a new and exciting initiative for people who live and work in the area to come together, share ideas and plan for the future. Find out more
Salford Innovation Forum launched
Friday 7 March saw over 100 people attend the launch event of Salford’s new Innovation Forum building on Frederick Road. Representatives from the local community, businesses and public organisations across the city and the North West celebrated the launch.
The Leader of Salford City Council, Councillor John Merry, and Professor James Powell OBE, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise & Regional Affairs of The University of Salford, made speeches about their involvement with the Innovation Forum from concept to launch. They talked about the importance of working together to create and develop opportunities for Salford to be a ‘sharp city that supports and embraces innovation’. The aim is for partners and communities to pool their strengths so that the Innovation Forum will become a place to learn, think and unlock new ideas and promote socially inclusive wealth creation.
Read the full press release or visit www.innovation-forum.co.uk for more.
Safer stronger communities fund makes an impact
The official opening event of the new multi use games area at Peel Community Sports Centre was recently held. The project was funded through the safer, stronger communities fund (SSCF), together with some additional funding from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust. The games area is a fantastic example of a project that has had the involvement of young people throughout to help make decisions about its use. Members of the local community have played an important part in the investment of SSCF locally. Peel Community Sports Group - which is run by volunteers and delivers positive activities for children and young people in the area, including day trips and sports activities - were instrumental in the new facilities. Around 40-50 young people visit the centre every week. |  |
Thanks for reading. If you have any comments or suggestions please don't hesitate to let us know on 0161 603 6804 or partnersinsalford@salford.gov.uk
0161-603 6800 
