1


1

FUTURE OF THE NORTH ORMESBY INITIATIVE AND NEIGHBOURHOOD MANAGEMENT PROJECT

EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR ECONOMIC REGENERATION

AND CULTURE:

COUNCILLOR DAVID BUDD

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR REGENERATION:

TIM WHITE

5th May 2006

PURPOSE OF THE REPORT

1.The purpose of this report is to consider the future of the North Ormesby Initiative (NOI) and neighbourhood management project. The NOI has been supported by Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF) since 2001/02, but funding ceases in March 2006. Funding for the neighbourhood management project has been extended until March 2008.

BACKGROUND AND EXTERNAL CONSULTATION

  1. The NOI was established in December 2001 to deliver community-based physical regeneration in North Ormesby, with the initial focus on the Trinity Crescent redevelopment, then broadening to improvement of the older housing and wider environment. The neighbourhood management project started May 2003 to improve local service delivery, community capacity and engagement. The work of both projects is integrated under a steering group as described below. Both initiatives have a project worker co-ordinating activities.
  1. Both projects have worked together to:

a)devise and deliver an holistic neighbourhood plan, which embraces the Trinity Crescent redevelopment, neighbourhood management projects and sets the scene for future improvement to older housing areas within North Ormesby; and,

b)service the NOI Steering Group, a local umbrella organisation (currently chaired by Councillor Ron Lowes) which includes ward members, the Community Council, North Ormesby 2001, residents, businesses, developers.

  1. The Trinity Crescent scheme has made significant progress. Haslam Homes has recently been selected as the lead developer with the Tees Valley Housing Group. Planning approval for the first phase of residential development has recently been given at Trinity Crescent. One hundred and fifty new homes (110 for sale, 40 social), a new market square and public realm works will be provided. The medical village is well underway, a day care nursery has been completed, and an extra-care housing scheme is about to start on site. However, further support will be required for the redevelopment to be realised, including: preparing development agreements; planning approvals; land assembly and a compulsory purchase order.
  1. An NRF bid has been approved to extend neighbourhood management project for a further two years. This project is administered by Tees Valley Housing Group (TVHG) and comprises a neighbourhood manager and support officer based at Kings Road.
  1. The potential is to amalgamate the NOI and the neighbourhood management initiative within one management regime whilst maintaining the specific identity of the programme. The TVHG would be willing to manage this process. The Council’s Housing and Urban Policy services would continue to contribute to officer support from their mainstream resources. The recent review of the Planning, Housing and Regeneration Programmes Division has built in extra capacity to accommodate this.
  1. The neighbourhood manager will continue to facilitate community and stakeholder engagement in the development of detailed proposals and implementation of the Trinity Crescent physical redevelopment scheme. In order to facilitate this engagement process, the neighbourhood management project will continue to support the existing steering group and sub-groups. It is important to retain this local structure to take forward the regeneration of North Ormesby.
  1. It is anticipated that the neighbourhood manager will prepare an action plan for the area. This will act as a lead-in to a future Neighbourhood Action Plan (NAP) as part of the older housing area programme, which is programmed to commence in spring 2008. The continued commitment to the NOI will help ensure continued action by local stakeholders, developers, neighbourhood service delivery agencies and local organisations to improve North Ormesby.

OPTION APPRAISAL/RISK ASSESSMENT

9. Whilst the North Ormesby Initiative and Trinity Crescent redevelopment have been successful in meeting many of their original objectives in terms of implementation and community/stakeholder engagement, much work is still to be done. It is important to continue to provide support for integrated approaches and service improvement for North Ormesby. Funding for the NOI soon comes to an end and so alternative arrangements need to be put in place. The recommendations of this report will streamline existing structures and sustain community capacity and engagement through a critical period in the delivery of both the Trinity Crescent redevelopment and taking forward proposals, which will emerge, from the Older Housing Neighbourhood Action Plan (NAP).

FINANCIAL, LEGAL AND WARD IMPLICATIONS

10. The loss of NRF resources for the North Ormesby Initiative officer comes at an important time for the delivery of the Trinity Crescent scheme and the evolution of the next steps for regeneration North Ormesby. Amalgamating the two current initiatives under one management regime allows for a range of efficiencies to be achieved through partnership working whilst achieving an on-going commitment to the physical redevelopment of the area with continued levels of community involvement. The on-going need for support from the Council’s Urban Policy and Housing services will be mainstreamed and has been built into the recent review of the Planning, Housing and Regeneration Programmes Division review.

RECOMMENDATIONS

11.It is recommended that:

a)the North Ormesby Neighbourhood Management Initiative (NONMI) steering group continues to be supported;

b)the functions of the North Ormesby Initiative be amalgamated with the NONMI; and,

c)the Council continues to provide officer support to co-ordinate delivery of the Trinity Crescent redevelopment.

REASONS
  1. To implement the Trinity Crescent redevelopment and secure a positive future for neighbourhood management and the older housing areas in North Ormesby.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

Various NRF and SRB service level agreements and bid documents.

Minutes of NOI Steering Group.

Trinity Crescent masterplan.

AUTHOR: CHRIS HAWKING

TEL NO: 728116

______

Address: Vancouver House, Middlesbrough

Website:

1