Ref: PR 2621
Date: 24/05/2010

Wakefield Council’s Cabinet is considering a proposal that could reshape the way Council services are structured – giving citizens more say on how services are delivered and empowering people to take a more active role in improving their neighbourhoods.

If Cabinet approve the initial framework for this new approach to area and neighbourhood working it will be put forward for everyone else involved in the Wakefield Together Partnership – which includes West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Fire Service and Wakefield District Housing – to consider adopting.

Aligning the Council’s services, and the rest of the Wakefield Together Partnership, into the proposed seven areas and twelve priority neighbourhoods across the district would give a greater shared understanding of the needs of local areas.

This could help deliver improved integrated services with better value for money and reduce inequalities. It would also give the public greater voice and participation in their neighbourhoods, as well as strengthening the accountability of the Council and partners.

The proposed framework comprises two main elements:

Seven areas across the district each with an Area Forum supported by an Area Delivery Group. The public Area Forums would meet three times a year - open to all local residents and community groups. They would help plan where work is focused, review performance, celebrate successes, promote the community and look at where local funding pots could be spent.

The seven suggested areas are:

• Wakefield North West
• Wakefield Central
• Wakefield Rural
• Normanton and Featherstone
• Castleford
• Pontefract and Knottingley
• South East

Twelve Priority Neighbourhoods, each with local Boards or Engagement Forums supported by Priority Neighbourhood Teams. The teams will aim to work with existing community activity, act as problem solvers and help focus the improvement plans where the community feels they are most needed.

The proposed Priority Neighbourhoods are based on the 10% most deprived communities:

• Portobello
• Agbrigg and Belle Vue
• Eastmoor
• City Centre
• Lupset
• Airedale and Ferry Fryston
• Cutsyke
• Featherstone – Priory Estate
• Knottingley – Warwick Estate
• Kinsley with Hemsworth, West End and Ashfield
• South Kirkby, Holmsley
• South Elmsall, Moorthorpe and Westfield

The area and neighbourhood working report will go before Wakefield Council’s Cabinet on Tuesday June 1.

ENDS