(1)

the introduction of locality working is supported according to the model proposed, in particular:

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by appointing a lead councillor for each neighbourhood with responsibility for raising community priorities relevant to Locality working and agreeing solutions with Locality Service Coordination Teams (LSCT). The work of the LSCTs being guided by these priorities plus any strategic priority identified by the LSP Executive;

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wherever possible, the lead ward councillor for each Neighbourhood to be allocated by agreement amongst the party with the majority amongst those councillors with wards which cover the Neighbourhood. Where necessary, Party Leaders and Independent councillors to be involved to reach agreement on the allocation of ward councillors to the relevant Neighbourhood lead role.  Arrangements to be reviewed annually;

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the establishment of six Locality Service Coordination Teams (LSCTs), with representation from key services covering: Community Safety, Children & Young People, Health & Adult Social Care, and Street Services; with additional services represented where locally required;

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each Team having a Locality Lead, a senior person to be appointed from the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) partner organisations, who would have this responsibility in addition to their current role;

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the work of the LSCTs to focus on prioritised more complex problem areas or issues that require a joined-up response (i.e. that cannot be sorted direct by individual services);

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replace Area Committees with strengthened neighbourhood engagement, including enhanced PACT (Partners and Communities Together) initiatives, web-based consultation, liaison with neighbourhood organisations, Third Sector involvement (voluntary, community and charitable organisations), questionnaires and surveys, and other appropriate neighbourhood based methods;

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to support Localities working, information should be available covering local issues, feedback from consultation and community engagement, and data on city-wide priorities, all disaggregated at Neighbourhood and Locality levels in a way that can inform decision-making and service responses;

(2)

Recommends to Council that Area Committees are discontinued, with effect from 1 June 2010, and that consequential changes to the Constitution are made to reflect this; Area Committees to be replaced with strengthened community engagement  mechanisms at Neighbourhood level as outlined in the Locality working model; Area Committee functions to be delivered direct by the Portfolio holder in consultation with ward members.

(3)

agrees to delegate to the Director for Community Services, in consultation with the LSP, the conclusion of details of locality working including terms of reference for the LSCTs and the development of PACTs, role profiles and working arrangements;

(4)

agrees to keep Locality Working under constant review and to requests a Scrutiny Task and Finish Group be established 12 months after implementation to formally review progress.