www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Wiltshire Local Area Agreement Newsletter - Issue 3
On 6 March the outline approach to the LAA project was put to WiSB for discussion and authority to proceed. The approach was agreed subject to further development of some of the underlying principles set out in the draft project plan. WiSB members also took part in a series of workshops aimed at developing ideas for tackling some of our biggest challenges. The draft project plan, and the minutes of this meeting will shortly be available on the LAA area of the WiSB website http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council/wiltshire-strategic-board.htm
Developing the content of the LAA
The work to date on the LAA has been very much about establishing the outline project framework of the LAA, including gaining a shared understanding of what we are trying to achieve through the LAA and how we are going to set about doing it. In many ways this is like putting up the scaffolding so we can now start working on building the content of the LAA. Most of the work so far has been done by the Steering Group (now the Project Board) the composition of which was detailed in Newsletter 2, which is available on the WiSB website. The day to day work now shifts to the Block Leaders who will coordinate the activities required to develop the outcomes and action plans that will make up the content of the LAA.
The Blocks
The content of the LAA is developed through a number of topic based blocks and the lead officers and working groups for each block are listed below. These blocks are artificial constructions used to help structure the LAA development. It is widely recognised that many issues cut across the blocks and part of the role of the block leaders will be liaise closely with each other to make sure that such issues are addressed effectively.
The blocks and block leaders are:
Children and Young People
Jointly led by Lynda Cox and Liz Garrett with The Children’s Trust Board being the lead working group.
lyndacox@wiltshire.gov.uk
lizgarrett@wiltshire.gov.uk
Safer and Stronger Communities
Led by Peter Baxter and Lynn Gaskin with The Safer Wiltshire Executive being the lead working group.
Peter.Baxter@wiltsfire.gov.uk
lynngaskin@wiltshire.gov.uk
Healthy Communities
Led by John Nicholas through the Healthier Wiltshire Steering Group.
johnnicholas@wiltshire.gov.uk
http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council/wiltshire-strategic-board/healthier.htm
Older People
This group is just forming and the LAA leadership will be provided by Jeanette Longhurst and Liddy Davidson.
jeanettelonghurst@wiltshire.gov.uk
Liddy.Davidson@ageconcernwiltshire.org.uk
Economic Development and Enterprise
Jointly led by Alistair Cunningham and Caroline Lewis with The Wiltshire and Swindon Economic Partnership acting as the lead group, assisted by the Countryside and Land Based Issues Group.
alistaircunningham@wiltshire.gov.uk
carolinelewis@wiltshire.gov.uk
Environment
An extra block containing environmental outcomes has been proposed and development work on this block is being led by Gary Mantle.
GaryMantle@wiltshirewildlife.org
Within each block there will be a number of outcomes developed. These outcomes will be strategic level statements of what we, as a partnership intend to achieve within a particular policy area. Perhaps the most valuable part of the LAA process is that each of these outcomes will be given a named leader who will be responsible for drawing up detailed action plans which will specify who is involved and exactly what is expected - expressed in terms of measurable actions and results. The result will be a transparent set of plans for tackling many of our priority issues.
These action plans will be focused on particular issues and will take account of the three dimensions of place, (county, district, area, neighbourhood); people, (older people, children & young people); and services, (environment, safety, health, economic development).
The very act of developing such plans will give us the opportunity to evaluate how we use our joint resources and how we currently work together as partners. Experience in other areas has shown that the act of planning in such a joint and transparent manner can lead to new ideas and better use of resources which will ultimately lead to the delivery of a better service.
The Review of the Community Strategy
The draft revised Strategy for Wiltshire has been sent out to about 800 organisations and contacts for a consultation lasting until 21 April 2006. Many organisations have given it prominence on their agendas at key meetings and already over 30 responses have been received. In general, comments to date have valued the level of detail, but consider that more could be done to make the overall strategy and priorities clearer. A revised draft will be discussed by WiSB Executive on 10 May, and a final version will be presented to WiSB for approval at its meeting on 19 June.
Contact Details
By Post
David Bareham, Wiltshire LAA Project Manager and newsletter author
or
David Maynard – Wiltshire LAA Policy Development Manager
By Email
By Telephone
01225 713117: David Bareham
01225 713118: David Maynard
By Fax
01225 713092
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
