Pledges 2008-9 Outturn

8/14/2019 Pledges 2008-9 Outturn

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Appendix 1

Edgbaston Constituency Pledges Mid-Year Progress Report

1. Set up a “Public Protection Unit “ : Achieved

Lead Agency: West Midlands Police

The unit is based at Ladywood Police Station and their remit includesdomestic abuse, child abuse, vulnerable persons and managing sexoffenders. This represents a step change in tackling vulnerability withsignificant investment in staff and resources. Overall the team consists of 6 domestic abuse officers, 2 vulnerable persons officers, 2 sex offender

officers and 6 child abuse investigators and is supported by 2 sergeants,an office manager and 2 administrative support staff.

2. Open the “Learning Hub” at University Hospital : Achieved

Lead Agency: University Hospital

UHB's Learning Hub was handed over from the builder's (Tomlinson’s) inmid August and is now operational.

The Hub, next to the New Hospital, on UHB's Queen Elizabeth site,provides purpose built purpose-built training accommodation focusing onbroadening access to jobs in health/ social care and construction for unemployed people and existing staff who lack basic skills.

Key provision includes:

• ACTIVATE - a week programme including 3 weeks placementwithin UHB

• Building Health - which aims to broker people into healthcare andconstruction jobs, normally with 1 week of intensive pre-employment training e.g. infection control

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Learn Direct

• Healthy Language Skills - a programme developed with South

• Birmingham College - which aims to improve literacy skills but witha future job in healthcare in mind.

UHB through the Learning Hub has signed up to a Local EmploymentPartnership with Job Centre Plus.

Between now and 2011 the Hub aims to provide employment support to5,000 unemployed people.

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For further information please contact the Hub (David Taylor) on 0121 6978200.

3. Appoint a Neighbourhood Advice & Information Outreach Worker -

Achieved

Lead Agency: Constituency Team

This was a successful Constituency growth bid for corporate funding,initially for 12 months until March 2009.

Through competitive interview an experienced officer from the QuintonNeighbourhood office was appointed and the subsequent vacancy backfilled .

Surgery sessions agreed and under discussion are as follows :-

Bartley Green Ward :-

• St. Francis Church & Community Centre, 1.30p.m. – 3 p.m. every1st Wednesday of the month. Drop in service.

Edgbaston ward :-

• Woodview Centre , sessions already started at the lunch group

every Tuesday 12.30 - 2.00

• Benmore Play Scheme every Tuesday 9.30a.m. –11.30a.m. Eldersgroup. Drop in service agreement to be reached with MentalHealth Team (Lester Burke) about referral mechanisms from thembut initial discussions have taken place and they are familiar withour service. The team is moving out of Woodview to a nearbylocation in the near future.

Harborne ward:-

•Kenrick Centre, 10 a.m. –1 p.m. every Friday for over 50's)

• Crossway - 9.30 a.m. -2 p.m. every Thursday by prior appointment

• UHB Hub (employment project) – as an initial introduction theofficer has provided a short information slot on their Activate jobpreparation programme which will lead to referrals for advice .

Harborne and Edgbaston Wards:-

Discussions about joint work with Karis and Alzheimer’s Disease Society,

some referrals already received.

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Quinton ward :-

• Welsh House Farm Community School, 9a.m. – 10.30 a.m. EveryWednesday in term time. Drop in service.

4. To produce a comprehensive summer activities brochure for children and young people: Achieved

Lead Agency: Children and Young People (CYP) OEP Theme Group

The Edgbaston Constituency Summer Brochure was distributed toschools, community centres, libraries and leisure facilities across theConstituency. The Constituency worked with the South Birmingham PCTto produce a section on healthy lifestyles which included exercise andnutritional information.

5. To produce a programme of activities within the Constituency tocelebrate 2008 as the National Year of Reading : Achieved


From April 2008 to December 2008 each library in Edgbaston hasfollowed the national themes and produced a variety of displays, author visits and events.

April - theme "Read all about it"

Launch of National Year of Reading with displays of daily news fromhistory in each library. Displays of old newspapers at Harborne Library.Word of the week at Harborne Library. Vote for a quote at QuintonLibrary. Staff Reading Log at Quinton Library - find out what the staff think of the books they read. daily news display at Bartley Green Library.

May - theme "Mind and Body

Displays in all libraries on health topics including Books on prescription.

Two yoga demonstrations at Harborne. Reiki demonstration at Harborne.Young Readers Birmingham - author visits at all libraries (Caroline Pitcher at Harborne, Steve Smallman at Quinton and Linda Newberry at BartleyGreen). Display of humorous books at Bartley Green. Open day atQuinborne Centre including Quinton Library presence.

June - theme "Reading Escapes"

Open Ticket - escape the football - display of holiday reads. Invitation tosend a postcard about your holiday read. Football books for childrendisplay at Harborne. Desert Island reads and Books out of the World

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(Science fiction) display at Quinton. Books set in other continentsdisplay at Quinton.

July - theme "Rhythm and Rhyme"

Display of music CD's at Quinton. Check out favourite albums of Harborne Library staff alongside display of music CD's, music DVD's andbooks at Harborne. Music offer - borrow 2 CD's for the price of 1 atHarborne and Quinton. Constituency wide music quiz to win 20 freemusic CD loans. Poetry display and sessions with local nurseries andplaygroups with a music theme at Bartley Green. Toddler Time Rhythmand Rhyme session at Harborne.

August - theme "Read the Game"

Displays with a sports theme in all three libraries. Biographies of

sportsmen and women at Bartley Green. Sports/Olympics theme atQuinton and Harborne. Summer Reading Challenge for children in allthree libraries "Team Reads" - read six books during the summer andreceive poster, stickers and a medal. Football fun event with TomPalmer at Harborne. Kickboxing demonstration at Harborne.

September - theme "You are what you read"

Author visit by Annie Murray at Harborne. Author visit by Mike Gayle atQuinton. Local History displays in each library including Chad ValleyToys display at Harborne. Getting started in Family History session atQuinton. Local history talks with Andrew Maxam at Harborne.

October - theme "Word of Mouth"

Display of books enjoyed and recommended by Adult and TeenageReading Groups at Harborne. Display of borrowers' recommendedreads at Bartley Green. Celebrating Black History month at HarborneLibrary with a display focusing on famous black TV and film actors andactresses. Display of famous African and Asian politicians at BartleyGreen. Celebrating National Poetry day at Quinton with a display of

favourite poems. Celebrating National Bookstart day at Harborne with apirate theme for toddlers "Yo ho ho and a barrel of fun". Pirate maskmaking at Bartley Green. Half term story session and treasure hunt atQuinton - borrow four books and find out where the treasure is hidden onPirate Island

November - theme "Screen Reads"

Continuing display of famous black film and TV actors at Harborne.Screen Reads - see the film and read the book - displays of books thathave been made into films of television programmes at all three libraries.

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December - theme "Write the future"

From chalkboard to e-mail - a display at Harborne about the history of writing showing different forms of communication and changes over theyears. Story sessions at Quinton linked to the Christmas fair at

Quinborne. Story sessions at Harborne Primary as part of their Christmas fair. Display of first novels at Quinton. Display of writing andprinting codes at Bartley Green. Invitation to adults and children to writea short story or poem about Christmas to display in Quinton library.Introduction to family history open session at Harborne.

6. Run “Edgbaston Snaps” as part of Digital Birmingham Week June2008: Achieved


The Edgbaston Constituency along with other Constituenciesparticipated in Birmingham ‘Snaps’ as part of Digital Birminghamactivities in June. A range of photographs were submitted and thesehave now been added to the Edgbaston ‘Flicker’ site(www.flickr.com/groups/edgbastonsnaps). These will be used for constituency publicity and a way of attracting more photos for the site.

7. Deliver “Neighbourhood Charters” in Priority Neighbourhoodsinclusive of public sector satisfaction surveys: Partially achieved Lead Agency: Constituency Team

As part of the City’s Neighbourhoods programme the Constituencies areexpected to undertake Neighbourhoods satisfaction surveys and actionplans in the form of charters agreed with local people. The Constituencyhas been undertaking this work with the following 6 ‘PriorityNeighbourhoods’:Edgbaston - Waterworks Estate; Roman WayHarborne - North Edgbaston, Ferncliffe RoadQuinton - Welsh House Farm; Central QuintonBartley Green - Bangham Pit and Shenley FieldsTo date there has been 1 Neighbourhood satisfaction survey/study

carried out on the Roman Way Estate.

Initial consultation in the Wards has identified key priorities that will bedeveloped along the initial draft document but will be adapted to reflectthe local emerging issues and key target areas during 2009/10, as partof the Constituency neighbourhood tasking arrangements.

To ensure we have a consistent approach for neighbourhoodsatisfaction surveys we are negotiating with the City’s Annual Placesurvey to see whether our specific Neighbourhoods could be included aspart of the annual survey in order that we have comparative information.

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http://www.flickr.com/groups/edgbastonsnaps

http://www.flickr.com/groups/edgbastonsnaps



8. Pilot “Art on the Edge” : Achieved


Art on the Edge event was held on 15 February 2009 at the Town Hall

with the Constituency Art Partners, Symphony Hall, Town Hall and DanceExchange this consisted of show casing ‘Edgbaston Got Talent’. Artproviders throughout the Constituency took up stands to exhibit their work. A video of the vent will be produced to promote future activities.The establishment of ‘Art on the Edge’ has led to establishment of Edgbaston Constituency Arts Forum.

9. Create a Constituency Address Book : Not achievable


It is requested that this pledge be dropped for this year, as it is provingdifficulty to gain sponsorship for this activity. The aim was to use this as awelcome pack for new people moving into the Constituency withsponsorship from Estates Agents. It is not advisable at this time given thelack of movement in the housing market, to pursue this pledge. Werecommend that this be revisited when there is an upturn in the housingmarket.

10. Stage an Edgbaston “Community Spirit Awards” evening withsupport from local businesses : Pending


Following discussions with the Voluntary, Community and Faith network ithas been agreed that rather than single individuals out for awards it wouldbe more appropriate to have a broader ‘Volunteer Celebration’ evening.The categories for which nominations for recognition have been invitedare:

Being a ‘Good Neighbour’

Community Cohesion Working with Young People

Working with the Elderly

Community Development

Closing Date for nominations was Friday 8 February 2009 .The event will now take place on the 24 April 2009, at 5:30 pm atHarborne Baptist Church.

11 Stage a youth “Big Vote” during Democracy Week October 2008 - Achieved

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Lead Agency: Edgbaston Constituency Team

Community Chest bids have now been forwarded to Ward SupportOfficers to request support in organising the event with support fundingfrom the wards. An amount of £350 has been bid for to support,

Transport, food and facility hire. Once these bids are accepted and hasbeen confirmed a date and venue will be set.

The Youth Real Eyes Group have so far this year participated in 3 eventsand will be involved in the Children and Young People Youth Parliamenton 15 October 2008.

1& 2 events working alongside Soryah Brown in delivering a presentationto young people from Ladywood about the youth parliament. Youth RealEyes also undertake a questionnaire project amongst schools resulting inapproximately 3000 questionnaires being completed during Democracy

Week. The result of this will provide next year’s young peoples prioritieswhich will involve a Youth Vote.

12. Stage an inaugural Edgbaston Fun Run : Achieved

Lead Agency: Constituency Team/Harborne Carnival Committee

The first Harborne Fun Run took place in conjunction with the HarborneCarnival on 22 June. 87 youngsters from local schools took part in four age group runs. The event was started by Cllr Mike Whitby and allfinishers received medals for their efforts.

13. Create an Edgbaston “Ground Force”: Achieved


The Constituency have to date completed 3 community clean ups with afourth one planned in October 08. To date the events have been held inEdgbaston & Bartley Green Wards and have included the areas of:

Waterworks Estate (23/04/08) - A community clean up on the estate

included volunteers from Michael Page Recruitment Consultants. Withagencies located across the country the consultants meet on a yearlybasis to carry out a team building exercise. Approximately 30 staff cleaned various sites around the Waterworks estate assisted by Officersfrom the Constituency Office, Cllr James Hollingsworth and Cllr DeirdreAlden. Equipment and tools for the day were provided by Groundwork.

Romans Way – Edgbaston Ward (22/05/08) The Edgbaston Hit Squadcarried out clearance work, litter picking and strimming work in the vicinityof Roman Way and Bullace Croft areas. Harborne West staffs were alsoinvolved in the exercise.

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Lye Avenue - Bartley Green Ward – Cllr Bruce Lines & Vivienne Bartonlaunched the community clean up in Lye Ave on Thursday July 17th

assisted by a number of keen local volunteers, Constituency staff, WestMidlands Police & Doddington Children’s Centre.

Further dates are planned including Thursday October 30th HarborneWalkway / Portland Road. A date for the Quinton Ward is awaitingconfirmation and a final decision will be made on the remainingConstituency deployment area.

14 . Delivering the Edgbaston Employment Offer: Achieved

Lead Agency: Enterprise and Economic Development OEP ThemeGroup

The “ Edgbaston Employment Offer” comprised 6 elements of a strategic

approach to the Worklessness agenda linked to possible local actions :

Employment brokerage, third sector capacity building, environmentalsustainability, retail career options, c ommunity transport, and back towork support .

This was established in the “ Challenging Worklessness” reportpresented to Edgbaston Constituency Committee in March 2008. The further development of these ideas has now been subsumed intothe emerging BCC Worklessness strategy as characteristic locallyderived proposals in the Edgbaston Employment and Skills Plan for 2008-11.

However, two actions originally identified: the University HospitalEmployment Hub and the inport of the Environmental Apprenticescheme are now operational in the Constituency.

Officers, working alongside partner organisations will continue toexplore the potential of all identified options.

15. Stage Edgbaston Talent Shows : Achieved


Following the success of the Breaking the Chains event in October 2007held at Edgbaston High School for Girls, the Edgbaston Constituencyteam in conjunction with the Youth Service organised an “Edgbaston’sGot Talent” Showcase event.

The event was targeted at young people in Bartley Green, Quinton,

Harborne & Edgbaston. The auditions for the event took place duringOctober (dates and venues - Bartley Green Leisure Centre – Thursday

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2nd October 2008, Woodview Community Leisure Centre – Wednesday8th October 2008, Four Dwellings Leisure Centre – Wednesday 15th

October 2008, Harborne Hill School – Wednesday 22nd October 2008).

These heats proved successful with over 50 young people taking part. A

“look alike” panel (similar to the one in the Television version of theshow) acted as the judging panel, and in keeping with the spirit of the TVprogramme, the panel of judges had the use of buzzers to “stop” any actthat fell below their standards. There were some anxious moms anddads waiting and watching as their children went through their paces;two acts even became one when two individual acts who did not quitereach up to the mark joined forces and became a powerful double act.

The heats saw a wide range of performers such as solo singers, girlsgroups, dancers, rappers, gymnastics, violinist, bangra drummers, soloinstrumentalist this shows that Edgbaston really has got talent. The Buzz

camp gave the performers an ideal forum to polish up their act.

The final was held at Bartley Green Technical College on 11 December 2008 and all performers have taken part in a showcase at Art on theEdge at the Town Hall on 15 February 2009.

16. Edgbaston Foundation Charity Day/Week : Achieved

Lead Agency: Edgbaston Foundation/Constituency Team

The Edgbaston Constituency Director has met with a cross section of Schools, businesses, Colleges, Universities to explore the feasibility of staging Edgbaston Foundation Charities Day/Week. There has been awide range of support expressed for developing this activity. Theoptions put forward were:

(1) Edgbaston Foundation raised funds for its chosen charity for theyear.

(2) Edgbaston Foundation supports a framework (provision of fundraising activities/packs - golf event; fund run; sponsor read; bike ridearound the park etc) to help Schools, Colleges, Universities,

community groups and businesses.(3) The Edgbaston Foundation on an annual basis selects a nationalfund raising activity and promotes it locally to coincide with therespective activity i.e. Red Nose Day; Sport Relief; Comic Relief; andChildren in Need.

These options will be forwarded to the newly appointed EdgbastonFoundation Guardians for consideration.

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17. Develop an Edgbaston Constituency Play Plan : Pending


Inward investment to enable this comprises two elements :

• A corporate Big Lottery bid

• An individual Constituency Big Lottery bid

Both bids were successful.

The former will entail the appointment of a team of 6 Play Workers tocover Edgbaston & Northfield. Staffs were in post in late October andafter induction it is anticipated will be operational by January 2009.

The second element will consist of 2 x 18 hour posts and a 22 hour postdetached play workers deployed exclusively in Edgbaston.

All recruitment is handled at the corporate level . Because of unforeseenevents this process was delayed but is now underway. It is anticipatedthat staff will be in post by summer 2009.

The full Edgbaston Play Strategy will be presented to the May meetingof this Committee.

18. Edgbaston Alcohol Abuse Awareness Campaign: Achieved

Lead Agency: One Edgbaston Partnership

The Edgbaston Alcohol campaign was launched on the evening of theHarborne Lights switch on and also included the South Birmingham PCTHealth & Well Being Bus in the Harborne & Edgbaston Wards. The HealthBus in partnership with Aquarius delivered advice and information on arange of health and alcohol reduction issues.

Friday 5th December saw "The Big Drink Debate: Is the West MidlandsDrinking Itself to Death” take place on Harborne High Street. The surveyis one of the largest ever undertaken in Birmingham and its aim is toidentify the role that alcohol plays in people’s day to day life and how itaffects their health, safety & well-being.

The final event was in Partnership with the Varsity Public House and theKindle Street Theatre and featured “The Ride Home”. This involved actors& pub visitors connecting together on an intimate and intense journeyhome in which each participant witnesses a night out gone wrong. Ayoung lady, Hannah, befriends the participants and leads them on a

whirlwind ride moving from party, to taxi, to ambulance, to hearse!

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Documents

Pledges 2008-9 Outturn