Select Committee on Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions Written Evidence


Memorandum by Liverpool City Council (SOC 67)

BACKGROUND

  Liverpool, the UK's sixth largest City with a population of approximately 440,000, has a diverse and changing society, including some of the oldest established BME communities in Europe. This diversity brings with it many exciting opportunities. However, there is also awareness that such diversity can bring tensions and frustrations that may lead to unwanted outcomes within and across local areas and communities if left unsupported. These tensions might exist both among the majority white population and among BME groups.They might surface in terms of, for example, race, faith, sexuality, disabilities, between young and older people, and between long-term residents and newcomers such as asylum seekers, refugees and travellers.

  The aim for Liverpool is therefore about raising awareness and developing greater understanding in order to break down barriers within and between diverse communities. Approaches taken must be about positively embracing our diversity and promoting equality of opportunities. After all, Liverpool is "The World in One City", European Capital of Culture 2008.

  Whilst the Local Authority has a key role to play in taking forward the Community Cohesion agenda, the City Council recognises that it can only do this in partnership with a wide range of other local players and approaches need to be developed and owned by these partnerships. Issues need to be integrated within strategic and service planning systems in order to sustain progress and achieve the positive benefits. The Local Strategic Partnership (LSPs) is one key means of developing community cohesion approaches within a neighbourhood renewal context.

  Major regeneration projects are bringing significant inward investment and an increase in jobs for local people. However, 70% of the city's wards are in the worst 10% deprived wards nationally. Deprivation is acute in the Inner Core home to the majority of Liverpool's BME and asylum seekers and refugees.

  The plethora of funding initiatives and programmes available, such as Housing Market Renewal, LIFT, Objective 1 and others will within them support the stability of communities through the transformation of local environments. In addition, within the City Council, the new Neighbourhood Co-ordination arrangements will bring closer to local people key council services initially followed by a more comprehensive joining of services with other agencies. Together the initiatives will combine to promote community cohesion and tackle disorder such as hate crime; anti-social behaviour and lack of cohesion between different generations.

COMMUNITY COHESION

  The broad working definition used is that a cohesive community is one where:

    —  There is a common vision and a sense of belonging for all communities.

    —  The diversity of people's different backgrounds and circumstances are appreciated and positively valued.

    —  Those from different backgrounds have similar life opportunitie.

    —  Strong and positive relationships are being developed between people from different backgrounds in different settings, eg in the workplace, in schools and in local neighbourhoods.

GOOD PRACTICE

  Nationally, evidence of what is actually working at the local level and is positively transforming our communities in terms of community cohesion is scarce. This is because there are no magic formulas or "one fits all" initiative that can be applied across the board. What works in one community might not be transferable to another community. Rather, it is the effects of a combination of local interventions and activities which are owned by respective communities.

  However, a helpful framework is to consider some key concepts and examine work in Liverpool which is being undertaken with regards to some of these concepts:

Education and Citizenship

  Schools and other educational providers in Liverpool are taking action to develop and promote understanding of the diverse range of cultures and faiths within the City. They are taking effective measures to address racial harassment and bullying and ensuring that formal education utilises a curriculum that recognises the contribution of diverse cultures and faiths.

  Specific Example: Neighbourhood Renewal Funded Community Cohesion Initiative: This initiative specifically promotes community cohesion and co-ordinates educationally related activities for refugees and asylum seekers (Newcomers). The intention is to extend existing provision as well as providing additional services where previously none or little existed for BME groups. In particular, it addresses the needs of targeted groups by providing:

    —  Support to schools—particularly those new to admitting Newcomers. This takes the form of additional teaching and support staff to schools which have little experience of admitting Newcomers.

    —  Additional teaching, mentoring and pastoral support to raise the attainment of BME pupils.

    —  Positive youth and community activities for disadvantaged young people—using sports related activities to actively engage and re-engage with communities. For example, linking in with the Sport Action Zone, Sport England and the L8 Sport Forum to develop and deliver programmes of sport related activities for young people in the Liverpool 8 Granby area. However, there is an urgent need for venues to accommodate the growing number of youth groups in L8 area. (There is a significant number of BME and disadvantaged communities living in the L8 area).

    —  Training for parents eg in practical classroom skills.

    —  Translated materials eg website, school information.

    —  Publications—curriculum materials available in various translations.

    —  Enhancing the co-ordination of BME groups eg by facilitating the work of the Somali Umbrella Group and implementing specific actions.

Young People

  The Council and partners are actively engaging with disaffected young people, using "what works" programmes. For example, using peers and positive role models. In particular, the Summer Splash 2002 programme and the PAYP programme this year are proving to be very successful in terms of celebrating diversity, breaking down barriers between communities, re-engaging with our young people and promoting equality of opportunity.

  Windows Project with Young People: The Windows Project was established to increase young people's interest in and knowledge of language as a medium for creative expression. It is also proving to have direct community cohesion benefits. The Windows Project runs writing workshops in youth centres, community venues and play schemes. The sessions involve young people via specifically designed games eg card games, board games, table top side-shows, to act as a stimulus for writing. Writing may include raps, poems, stories, and scripts. Participants are given as much help as required on an individual basis. This may be with creative ideas, presentation, grammar or spelling. Workshops are led by practising writers with many years of experience of working with young people in community situations and with established tract records in performance/publication. All workers are CRB police checked.

Sport and Leisure

  Liverpool is using the power of sport and culture to break down barriers. Examples:

  Somali Sports Project: A new sports project involving a partnership between three Somali community groups. The project will focus on improving sports provision for women and young people and breaking down some of the divisions within the community which remain following the recent conflict in Somalia.

  Toxeth Tigers Basketball: A youth basketball programme which recruits young people from all ethnic groups within the Granby Toxteth area and from other parts of the city. The programme also works with young people to improve their educational attainment and access to higher education.

  Collective Goals Football Project: A football development project delivered through a partnership between Stanley House Youth and Tiber Football Club which targets socially excluded young people from all racial groups within Granby Toxteth and works to promote a better relationship with communities in other parts of the city.

Race Equality Scheme

  The City Council introduced its first Race Equality Scheme in line with responsibilities under the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000. For many years now we have been aware of the needs of our diverse communities and in many instances we have fallen short of meeting the expectations these communities have placed on the Council. We are now in a period of change and re-engineering in the city and we very much want to put our commitment to race equality high on our agenda for change and improvement. The Scheme has audited the way in which the Council carries out its duty to promote racial equality. We have examined our policies and functions to clarify what it is the Council actually does. This has then been assessed in terms of whether our policies and functions genuinely promote racial equality and from this position we have drawn up a prioritised list of actions to meet our duty under the Act. As a Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) Pilot Authority we will be evaluated and monitored for the progress we are making. We are happy for this status, as it is consistent with the Council's commitment to improve performance and provide better services for the whole community. Copies of the Race Equality Scheme are available from Andrew Nembhard, 0151 233 6308 or email: andrew.nembhard@liverpool.gov.uk.

Positive Action Training and Employment Initiatives

  Liverpool City Council's Positive Action Training and Employment Initiative Programme is a groundbreaking community initiative and one of the Council's key strategies to meet the challenge of local unemployment, social exclusion and institutionalised discrimination. Targeted at local unemployed black people and other minority racial groups, women, disabled people and "hard to reach" 18-24 year olds, it provides high quality on and off the job customised training in some 45 vocational areas. Recognised nationally as a model of good practice, the programme is currently operating at an 80% success rate of trainees gaining employment and achieving full qualifications at the end of the programme. The programme won a National Training Award in 2000 and an "Opportunity Now" Award in 2001 for demonstrating outstanding commitment to training and development.

Somali Umbrella Group

  The Somali Umbrella Group (SUG) was formed in November 2001 to progress the Somali Action Plan. The SUG and its constitution were created as a result of a report published by the Merseyside Broad Based Organisation into the State of the Somali Community in Liverpool. The SUG constitution states that the objective of the Somali Umbrella Group is to promote the benefit of the Somali inhabitants. The main Group is supported by a series of sub-groups who work together to achieve the overall objectives of the Somali Action Plan. The main group meetings are chaired by the Bishop of Liverpool and attended by the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive.

  The Liverpool Strategic Partnership Group has identified the Somalis and Yemini pupils as priority groups to improve their attainment in education.

Arts and Culture

  Merseyside ACME managed the Arts and Regeneration strand of the Capital of Culture bid and a comprehensive report illustrating the wide range of projects is available from Kevin McManus, 0151 291 9911 or email: Kmcmanus@merseysideacme.com.

THE YEAR OF FAITH IN OUR CITY 2004

  This will involve praise singing throughout the City's places worship—gospel, hymns, incantations, Griot music, and the music in secular venues as well. New praise for a new age. In fact, secular praise of the City's positive and inspiring individuals and institutions.

    —  Faith in New Spaces—taking belief into the open air, into other communities, into shared environments.

    —  Icons of Respect—images of past and present which represent a focus for the City's many communities of belief placed prominently around the City.

    —  Arts in Places of Faith—music, dance and drama welcomed into the City's many religious buildings.

  Creative Communities supports 10 local projects working with a wide variety of groups from across Liverpool and Merseyside. Regional Arts Lottery Programme has recently approved Creative Communities 2 and this is likely to start in September and run up to 2005. A full report on this initiative is available from Lucy Horne, 0151 291 9195 or email: lhorne@merseysideacme.com.

Black History Month Group

  Liverpool's Black History Month Group boasts representation from public, private and voluntary sector organisations and not least from the Black community itself. The aim of the Group is to celebrate the histories of the African Diaspora in Liverpool through the public recognition and acknowledgement of the positive contributions and aspirations of the social, economic, cultural and life of our city. It is intended that this will be achieved by developing an understanding with and between all of Liverpool's different cultural and racial communities, by ensuring that all communities are informed of and welcomed to events. The Group is also producing a calendar of events in the months leading up to and including International Black History Month.

Community Safety and Policing

  The Council, in partnership with other Crime & Disorder Reduction partners, has developed a plethora of community cohesion related initiatives. For example, improved systems for racial incidents monitoring. Partners fund an independent "3rd Party Reporting Hotline" and practical support for victims of racial attacks and harassment. Other measures include, for example, provision of covert surveillance to detect and deter perpetrators of hate crime, local campaigns such as the "Spot It: Stop It" campaign on racial violence, and the "Shoutline" for victims of homophobic crime. Significantly, the Council has an established Anti-Social Behaviour Unit providing a range of proactive and reactive preventative as well as punitive measures (from community mediation, through to Appropriate Behaviour Contracts and Anti-Social Behaviour Orders).

  Other examples of partnership work around community cohesion: "Black Mentoring Service"—in partnership with the Council's Positive Action Training to provide a service to a minimum of 30 Black Offenders to support them in completing the requirements of their Court Order or Prison Licence. "Engaging with Communities" workshop—Members of the Probation Board and Management meet with people from a variety of different ethnic groups and communities in order to improve our responsiveness to the needs of those communities. There is also an Independent Police Authority Advisory Group with a specific focus on community cohesion and the Police Hate Crime Policy has an important criminal justice response to community cohesion.

Housing

  Stock Transfer in the North Eastern Fringe & Community involvement in developing the transfer proposals—A Steering Group of local community representatives was established where residents were able to help shape the new landlord and influence living conditions. Issues were discussed such as youth disorder and anti-social behaviour and how the new landlord can work with other agencies to develop solutions. The transfer completed in February 2003 and the new landlord Cobalt Housing now has in place its own processes for consulting with and involving the local community particularly in determining the improvement programme.

  Boot estate—Although one of the estates located in the North Eastern Fringe, this estate was not part of the transfer process because the properties are declared defective dwellings. Due to the gradual decline of the estate and high level of vacant properties the community was gradually falling apart and youth disorder and anti-social behaviour were becoming major problems. Proposals to demolish the estate and redevelop with new housing were the subject of much discussion and negotiation. By the end of 2002 there was concern that the redevelopment had not progressed and the problems regarding the environment and community safety had reached such a stage that urgent action was required. A task group of officers was established to tackle the different issues and central to this was how best to involve the local community. The Executive Member for Housing was very keen to speak to and meet with local residents and a process of inclusive communication established involving public meetings, regular newsletters and door to door visits. Whilst officers have been moving forward the redevelopment proposals and dealing with the re-housing and demolition programmes there has also been very positive action taken to improve the environment and resolve the community safety issues. Central to this is keeping the local community as involved as possible and trying to bring the community closer together.

  A successful community event called "Spring into Action" was held in March 2003 which aimed at bringing the local community together, council services and other organisations like the schools, police and fire service all of whom have a vital role to play on the estate. The focal point for this was the "Ellergreen Centre" which is the local community centre and sport centre. The event involved a number of events aimed at all sections of the community bringing young and old together.

  Kensington New Deal for Communities area—since being established as a New Deal area local community involvement has been central to establishing a clear way forward to regenerate the KNDC area. Split into five neighbourhoods each one has a Neighbourhood Planning Group (NPGs) which comprises members of the local community from all walks of life and it is these groups that have been working towards developing the housing strategy for each of the neighbourhoods since being established. To assist in this a "blue printing" exercise was commissioned by Kensington Regeneration to develop a series of deliverable options for each neighbourhood—this process being "overseen" by the NPGs and culminating in a series of exhibitions held earlier this year for all residents of the area to attend so they can comment on and indicate their preferred options. A Neighbourhood Renewal Assessment is now being undertaken which will also inform the process. In the meantime some of the projects identified early in the process are already under-way including a rolling programme of external and environmental improvements in the Kensington Fields area and some small projects identified by the individual NPGs such as the creation of "pocket parks" on specified derelict infill sites.

  Kensington Regeneration have also appointed an outreach worker in March this year specifically to develop BME strategy and to work with minority groups—to date he has been developing contacts and identifying areas that he can become involved in and this will include involvement in working through housing issues. To date his main areas of work have related to education and health.

ANFIELD/BRECKFIELD REGENERATION STRATEGY

  The Anfield/Breckfield area exhibits high levels of physical and social deprivation, crime and ASB and as such, is the subject of the development and delivery of a long-term regeneration strategy. Liverpool Football Club occupies a prominent location within the area and as a result the area is subject to large numbers of regular visitors, with the inevitable impact of increased noise, litter, traffic etc on the local community. The combination of these factors has resulted in community tensions and frustrations.

  A range of initiatives have been introduced to help address key issues, meet local need, improve community involvement and interaction and to break down barriers within the area, thereby helping to secure a more cohesive community who have a stake in the regeneration of their neighbourhood:

    —  Community led Steering Group and themed working groups established to ensure community involvement in all stages of development and implementation of the regeneration strategy for the neighbourhood.

    —  Establishment of a Neighbourhood Management Group, which brings together the local community and key service providers to address local issues. The group has helped break down barriers and improve joint working between neighbourhoods, communities and partners.

    —  Sweeper Zone is a national initiative aimed at bringing together Premiership Football Clubs, local communities and other partners to improve the cleanliness of areas, help and support communities to address environmental impacts/issues resulting of the presence of a football club in their midst. The Sweeper Zone concept was piloted in Liverpool and the Liverpool Sweeper Zone is perceived as one of the most successful launched. Partners to the initiative are LFC, ENCAMS, Coca-Cola, City Council and community. The initiative has secured improved joint working, resulting in LFC/LCC funding of a sweeper vehicle for the area; development of "Youth Team"—local young people who promote litter prevention/respect for the area prior to football matches; introduction of additional litter bins; involvement of partners/community/young people in community clean up events etc.

    —  Living Through Change is an NRF-funded initiative aimed at sustaining and supporting communities, in deprived areas such as Anfield/Breckfield, pending the long-term regeneration of their neighbourhood. The Anfield/Breckfield community identified the following short term priorities—ASB and drug-related issue, which are being addressed via the introduction of additional policing targeted at intelligence led, hotspot location/times; ASB theatre production is currently under consideration as a means of raising awareness about ASB and its impact on communities. Poor environment—which is being addressed by the greening of key routes in the area—hanging baskets, Graffiti Art initiatives with young people, involving local schools in production of art for display on area litter bins. Future events proposed include Spring bulb planting by local young people in the local park, extension of greening initiative, and dog fouling campaign to raise awareness.

    —  NRF funding has been used to address key issues in the area, such as teenage pregnancy, distraction burglary event for older residents, involvement of young people in the regeneration process etc. These initiatives aim to inform, break down barriers and include.

    —  Partnership working has resulted in development of an Older Person's Housing Strategy in recognition of the needs of older members of the community, many of whom may be isolated, less able or willing to participate in the regeneration of their neighbourhood.

BLACK AND OTHER MINORITIES HOUSING STRATEGY

  A Black & Other Minorities Housing Strategy, entitled "A Community of Communities", was published in April 2003 and officially launched on 22 May 2003. The strategy sets out our key commitments for action to promote race equality with Housing and Neighbourhood Services, and includes a First Year Action Plan with 16 targets. The targets cover seven strategic objectives as follows:

    —  To ensure that Housing & Neighbourhood Services, through all its functions, helps achieve Liverpool's corporate commitments to equality.

    —  To develop sustainable communities with good quality housing and employment opportunities for black and other minority people in Liverpool.

    —  To meet the social housing needs of black and other minority people in Liverpool with good quality, suitable accommodation in areas of their choice.

    —  To maintain and manage Liverpool's housing stock in order to improve the housing conditions of black and other minority people.

    —  To provide a safer living environment for all residents, to work to prevent racial harassment and to tackle it promptly.

    —  To ensure that black and other minority people with particular support needs can have these needs met in an appropriate way.

    —  To ensure that black and other minority people receive fair access to employment opportunities both within Housing and Neighbourhood Services and within organisations with contracts with Housing and Neighbourhood Services.

  We are working with colleagues to achieve these targets, and there are named lead officers for each of the targets. We are also working in partnership with RSLs, Merseyside Police, voluntary organisations, community groups and other relevant outside agencies to achieve the key objectives. A training seminar was held for managers and team leaders in Housing and Neighbourhood Services and Regeneration (Housing element) on 26 June 2003 to brief them on our commitments in this strategy. Managers will cascade this information to all their staff. A Race and Housing in Liverpool Seminar will be held in 2003-4 with partner and community representation to review progress on the first year targets and set targets for 2004-5.

SOMALI HOUSING SUB-GROUP

  This sub-group has been set up as a spin-off from the Somali Umbrella Group, to help progress the Somali Action Plan. LCC is funding an action research project, working with partner RSLs, to help ascertain the housing needs and aspirations of the Somali community in Liverpool. We are holding two-weekly housing advice surgeries where the services of a Somali-speaking interpreter are available. We have also designed a questionnaire to identify housing need and are asking Somali residents to complete this. We aim to collect 300-400 completed questionnaires, which will be analysed professionally to produce a report with a set of recommendations to improve housing provision and provision of housing services for the Somali community. The surgeries and questionnaire are being piloted in the Somali community but, if successful, could be rolled out to other BME communities in the city.

Travellers

  The Council pursues a policy which recognises and accepts the rights of the Gypsies and Travellers to live a nomadic way of life balanced with the rights of the settled community. The policy also recognises Government circulars/guidelines and the Council's statutory duties with regard to Gypsies and Traveller families. The Commission for Racial Equality and the Government recognise Gypsies and Irish Travellers as distinct ethnic groups and Liverpool has embraced this in developing a Charter for Gypsies and Travellers in the City. We have also recognised that these groups are some of the most excluded groups in society, for this reason the City Council Community Resources Unit funds an innovative project working with Irish Travellers in Liverpool. The project is based in Irish Community Care Merseyside and works in partnership with officers from the City in developing appropriate services. Irish Community Care Merseyside have also recently secured Supporting People finance to fund a further support worker based on the permanent site, working as an advocate on their behalf.

  At present Liverpool City Council manages one permanent site in the city and has recently been awarded a grant from the ODPM to refurbish the site. This can only help in developing a sustainable community with good quality pitches and amenity blocks which will be disabled access to the same standards as new housing developments. The residents have been very active throughout the bid process, with regular consultation & the development of a residents group. Liverpool City Council is hoping to develop a new position later this year, a Gypsy and Traveller Development Officer who will co-ordinate the service.

Asylum Seekers and Refugees

  Support for Asylum Seekers in the city currently exists on two levels. Liverpool City Council (LCC) have responsibility for supporting those cases claiming asylum prior to April 2000 under the Interim arrangements of the Immigration and Asylum Act (1999), whereas anyone entering the UK after this time is supported by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS).

REFUGEE AND ASYLUM SUPPORT SERVICES

  LCC has a dedicated support team working with Refugees and Asylum Seekers, with a remit to engage in and develop policy and services to Refugees and Asylum Seekers in the city. The team works closely with a wide variety of voluntary and statutory agencies including the Home Office (HO), the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND), NASS and the Police. The team also provides direct accommodation and support including financial subsistence payments to families and singles who fall under Local Authority Interim arrangements. LCC's Asylum Team accommodates and supports families within the community and attempts to ensure that integration is achieved harmoniously. It is hoped that the diversity of backgrounds is viewed positively within communities and Service Users are encouraged to develop positive relationships with people from different backgrounds within the community and throughout a variety of settings. We also strive to encourage different community groups to establish Community Leaders who are also committed to the strategic objectives and to ensure that they actually do communicate within their community. It is also important that they collaborate with other communities and build capacity amongst communities who are not often heard.

  When these cases receive a decision on their application, they are subject to the same conditions and requirements as those on the NASS dispersal scheme, however, the Asylum Team continues to provide advice and support to Refugees after they leave the direct accommodation provision. This includes resettlement support.

  Asylum Seekers and Refugees may find it difficult to negotiate the labyrinth of procedures and requirements to access particular services or get answers to important questions. The Asylum Team has established a good working relationship with the Voluntary Sector, Refugee Action, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and the main solicitors dealing with asylum applications. The team also has a proactive role within the Merseyside Refugee Support Network (MRSN) which comprises over 60 agencies and Refugee Community Organisations (RCO). The asylum team will also provide practical in-house advice and assistance to the other City Council departments.

  The team provides a direct link into a variety of services as well as its own outreach work in order to ensure that the support network is directly tailored to the individual needs of the service users, by contacting solicitors and accessing legal services, Health and Social Services teams. The main office offers surgery basis access to the Jobcentre Plus Adult Guidance Team including advice on employment, training and qualifications and has a satelite office for the Education Outreach Team.

RESETTLEMENT AND FLOATING SUPPORT

  To complement the statutory Homelessness provision of the City Council and as part of the Homelessness prevention work, the team has worked closely with Registered Social Landlords (RSL) and the Private Sector. On achieving Refugee Status, Asylum Seekers will have to leave their NASS accommodation, many will require extra support in finding accommodation quickly if they are to avoid a period of Homelessness. Many require direct support for reasons of language, in accessing utilities services, changing Doctors, schools, etc and finding employment once eligible to work. LCC, in partnership with CDS Housing Association and other RSLs has assisted in the development of a Floating Support Scheme designed to facilitate integration and enhance community cohesion. As more RSLs sign up to the scheme, it is envisaged that the service will become more widely accessible.

1.   Partner Agencies

LASAR DP

  The Liverpool Asylum Seeker and Refugee Development Partnership

  This is a three year pilot project, part-funded through the European Social Fund (EQUAL Theme I) aimed at addressing the Integration of Asylum Seekers into the wider community. A partnership between Statutory, Private and Community Sector Groups, is used to provide specific programmes in Health, ESOL, Education and Information Services. Liverpool City Council is one of six main partners in the programme. The Partnership is co-ordinated through a delivery team, which provides Information, Networking and Sign Posting services for Asylum Seekers and Refugees, organisations supporting them and is a referral point for the Partnership and other agencies.

  Specific Projects within the partnership include:

  1.  A Signposting, Networking Information Service and Website.

  2.  Orientation ESOL—English Language and Orientation to the City.

  3.  Newcomer Support for Families and Children in Schools and colleges. Support for the "Getting to Know Your School" Booklet—an English Language teaching tool. Playground Partners—befriending within the school environment.

  4.  Professional Network Development—Networks to allow best practice and information to be exchanged across a range of fields(Education, Health and Housing).

  5.  Health Support—The provision of a dedicated Health Visitor and Community Support Worker to deliver services to Asylum Seekers, especially in areas with no past history of this group.

  All the programmes delivered through LASAR are aimed at the integration of Asylum Seekers as they move along the continuum towards Refugee Status and eventual employment.

  Community cohesion lies at the heart of what makes a safe and strong community.

Neighbourhoods

  Shorefields Homezone scheme (more information from Claire Griffiths 708 4636). Communities working together to design a change of lifestyle by changing the physical environment and public realm. Residents in the Shorefields area of L8 have spent a lot of time working together in re-designing their neighbourhood.

  The INclude/Liverpool City Council Sparkle event 25 March 2003—part of the City Council and Liverpool Echo Capital of Culture Glitter campaign. Further information available from: ingrid.donakey@cdshousing.org.uk. This event brought together people from all different backgrounds, ages and cultures to clean up their neighbourhoods although the underlying reason was to foster community spirit and have fun.

  The Greenfingers Roadshow: 13 and 14 August 2003—held in four venues around the INclude neighbourhood—In an attempt to reduce green waste fly—tipping and to help people maintain their gardens/hanging baskets etc and take a pride in their communities INclude in conjunction with B & Q, Groundwork, Local Solutions and LCC's Environmental Services Team organised a roadshow of gardening techniques/composting etc. First indications are that about 180 people attended the roadshows from all corners of the West Liverpool 8 area—all ages/cultures to learn about gardening skills.

  The Dickens-Camelot Streets waste management/recycling project (on-going): There has been some excellent work undertaken by local schoolchildren, youth groups, faith groups, older people, all working on this project. For example, Radleys Court sheltered housing scheme—residents joining up with Windsor Street Primary school to share experiences on waste management, re-use and recycling—this is an example of older people working with young people to share experiences and reduce waste. There has been an exchange trip to each place—the Radley's pensioners went into the school to speak about their experiences and the Windsor children are to present a waste drama and rap to Radleys Court in September.

Community and Voluntary Sector

  All of the community and voluntary groups currently funded through the Council's Community Resource Unit (CRU) (currently 90+) are required to develop an "inclusive" action plan which has as its focus disability, race equality and community cohesion.

  The majority of CRU-funded organisations deliver services to individuals who are amongst the most deprived members of Liverpool's various communities.

  The CRU has developed a good practice checklist for funded voluntary and community organisations to use when developing their action plan. This has been further supported by the delivery of a series of briefings followed up by more intensive support for community groups on race equality and community cohesion.

  The CRU is also working in partnership with local community and voluntary groups to develop a leaflet about refugees and asylum seekers to distribute to communities across the City. The purpose of the leaflet is to try to bring to an end some of the "myths" that have built up nationally about refugees and asylum seekers.

  We are anticipating that our future funding programme (2004 and beyond) will pilot Performance Indicators relating to community involvement and cohesion to help to demonstrate the impact that City Council funding from the CRU has in helping to build strong, inclusive, and diverse communities in the City.

  Below are some examples of projects funded via the City Councils Communities and Resources Unit which will make a positive impact on community cohesion in Liverpool:

    —  Neighbourhood Community Councils.

  The Breckfield Centre is working with L8 Law Centre to develop a racial harassment prevention approach for their community.

    —  Community education projects.

  The Pacforce project supporting Somali children has had considerable success in improving educational performance and supporting integration for children, parents and wider communities.

    —  Liverpool Community Learning Network hold a learning Programme throughout the year leading to an annual "One World" event involving communities across the City in a series of multi-cultural events looking at history, heritage, culture, arts and education in a dynamic, inclusive and diverse context.

SOCIAL ECONOMY TEAM

  Liverpool has an effective Social Economy Team based within the Liverpool Business Centre. The Team is responsible for the delivery of the New Deal Environmental Task Force and the broader Intermediate Labour Market programmes, alongside the development of the social economy.

  The New Deal ETF programme targets those aged 18 to 24 years and the ILM programme offers opportunities for those aged over 25 years. The programme works with both local employers and social economy organisations to provide work opportunities for those individuals furthest from the labour market. The ILM model in Liverpool includes up to 12 months paid employment with support/mentoring and training, both on-the-job and vocational. The programme is currently achieving 53% into sustainable employment. ILMs have been proven to enhance employability and motivational skills, whilst voluntary programmes (ie those outside of New Deal) have a higher success rate into employment, the skills gained form a basis for further progressions for example through training/education. The programme is supported financially, in the main, through JobcentrePlus New Deal programme and EU Objective One funding.

  Alongside the employment programme, the Social Economy Team work to promote and develop social enterprises. Social enterprises are recognised as a positive vehicle to promote and increase wealth in the most disadvantaged areas. The Government has acknowledged their importance through the Social Enterprise strategy from the DTI. Liverpool's social economy is substantially developed with organisations that support the business development within local communities and established social businesses, such as Furniture Resource Centre and Create. Liverpool has an emerging dedicated development agency "Liverpool Plus", who will lead on researching the existing and potential markets for social enterprise as well as working to assist in the further development of existing social enterprises. Another key element of the agency's work will be to manage the city's current investment strategy in the social economy sector and to work with partners in the creation of new social enterprises.

Faith Communities

  Faith communities in public life are recognised as a distinctive part of society and their representatives are involved in a range of partnership working arrangements. "Faith Watch" is an example of a crime reduction and community safety initiative designed to deal with crimes against different faiths—their people and properties.

Press and Media

  The Council positively encourages the press and media to promote a positive view of diversity, in order to dispel ignorance and promote greater understanding between communities.





 
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