Groundwork Birmingham and Solihull
Draft Action Plan 2005/2006
Groundwork Solihull
April 2005
CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Strategic Objectives for 2005 /2006
3. Operations Plan
4. Milestones
5. Proposed Team Structure
1. INTRODUCTION
Groundwork Birmingham & Solihull is now official, receiving approval from the Office
of the Deputy Prime Minister in December 2004. Since then an office has be secured and
set up in Smiths Wood, staff have been recruited and a round of key networking meetings
facilitated by Economic Development, our SMBC link directorate, have taken place. The
meetings with key partners and directorates within the Council has contributed to the
draft action plan for Groundwork activities across Solihull.
Those working across Solihull to make it „a better place to live‟ are hugely enthusiastic
and committed. Groundwork will work together with the local communities, voluntary
sector organisations and other stakeholders to contribute to the delivery of Silhillians
aspirations for their Borough.
Solihull MBC is currently undergoing a considerable period of change with many major
initiatives taking place over the next ten to fifteen years; these will provide major
opportunities for key partners who are helping to shape the future of Solihull.
Groundwork currently works closely with Solihull MBC, In Partnership, Solihull
Community Housing and Fordbridge Pathfinder + through this and future action plans,
and strategies, delivery on the ground will happen.
Groundwork has already delivered projects in both the north and south of the Borough; St
Alphage School infants‟ garden and through Home Office „Gate It‟ and Solihull Crime
and Disorder Reduction Partnership funding has improved the area for elderly residents
around the Newport Centre in Smiths Wood.
This draft action plan outlines the broad range of impact that Groundwork can delivery
alongside partners. We hope to gain further ideas, suggestions and support as the draft
action plan receives comments from the Groundwork Operations Group, the Groundwork
Solihull Steering Group and others.
2. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES FOR 2005 / 2006
Strategic Objectives
1. Programme Development
To develop and secure funding for a rolling programme of significant achievable
projects which reflect the needs of Solihull‟s communities and mission of
Groundwork Birmingham and Solihull including all the six Groundwork themes of
Land, Community, Youth, Education, Business and Employment.
How?
Develop ongoing relationships with local community groups and
assess the feasibility of options to respond effectively to their
needs.
Develop ongoing relationships with major partner organisations
and businesses.
Identify and investigate potential funding sources.
Prepare funding applications in consultation with local partners.
2. Project Delivery
To deliver an agreed programme of projects which meets local needs, Solihull MBC
and partners objectives, actively promotes the Trust and meets the financial
objectives?
Obtain necessary internal and external authorisations and
approvals prior to implementation.
Use Groundwork project management system to deliver secured
projects in consultation with delivery partners to time, cost and
quality, and project outputs and outcomes to meet funders‟
requirements.
3. Stakeholder Satisfaction
To ensure that the satisfaction of stakeholders (including communities, partners,
funders and employees) continues to be the pre-eminent consideration in the work of
the Trust.
To provide a long term commitment to engagement with the
local communities of Solihull using Trust staff as a core aspect of
the delivery of holistic and sustainable environmental projects to
build in stakeholders through out the life of a particular project.
Support and develop the role of the Groundwork Solihull
Directorate Steering group.
Continue to facilitate the Groundwork Operations Group
meetings where partner organisations update each other on their
activities in the Borough and the opportunities for joint working.
Provide regular updates to SMBC Cabinet through the Economic
Development.
Provide regular updates to the Local Strategic Partnership via the
Places to Live Group and other key theme groups.
Include the Groundwork Birmingham and Solihull Monitoring
and Evaluation Manager in programme development and provide
feedback / project evaluation to partners and the community.
Attend appropriate Solihull MBC, Solihull Community Housing,
In Partnership and Fordbridge + Pathfinder meetings to aid
communication.
4. To sustain a commitment to continually improving performance.
Encourage a culture of innovation within the team.
Be receptive to new ideas and approaches from all sources, within the
organisation and the wider community.
Strive to improve both efficiency and effectiveness in project delivery.
Promote team development to allow for an open exchange of ideas and
team learning.
Promote individual personal development.
Use the Groundwork personal procedures.
STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS
Links between major Stakeholders and Groundwork Programmes
Theme Link to SMBC Link to LSP Potential major
Objectives theme partners
Land CO2 Improving Quality Places to Live Landscape Practice
of Life (SMBC)
Solihull Community
CO5 Good Value Housing
Services Transport & Highways
Planning
SCIP6 Deliver physical, In Partnership
economic, social Fordbrige + Pathfinder
regeneration solutions Regen Point
for the Borough as a Education
whole, with particular Arts
focus on North Solihull Estates
Park Management
Warwickshire Wildlife
Trust
British Waterways
Community CO3 Closing the gap of Improving Health Residents & Tenants
Inequality and Inequalities Associations
Environment Policy
CO4 Treating people as Development Panel - SCH
individuals within a Crime & Disorder Community Services SMBC
diverse community. Colebridge Trust
Fordbridge + Pathfinder
CO5 Good Value Solihull CVS
Services The Bridge Clinic,
Chelmsley Wood
In Partnership – Whitefriars
SCIP8 Increase North Solihull Community
community consultation Voluntary Alliance
and face to face Warwickshire Wildlife
engagement with Trust
residents in all parts of Parish Councils
the Borough BME groups
Church / faith groups
Park Ranger Service
Disabled People Network
School Travel Plans Solihull
Drugs Action Team
WM Fire Service
Youth CO1 A brighter future Children & Young Youth Service SMBC
for our children People Local Youth Clubs
CO2 Improving the Solihull Youth Council
quality of Life Crime & Disorder Solihull College
CO3 Closing the gap of Solihull 6th Form College
Inequality City Technology College
CO4 Treating people as Secondary Schools
individuals within a Princes Trust
diverse community. Duke of Edinborough
CO5 Good Value Castle Bromwich Hall
Services Gardens
SCIP6 Deliver physical, Police
economic, social Community Saftey Officers
regeneration solutions Solihull Drugs Action Team
for the Borough as a Connexions
whole, with particular
focus on North Solihull
SCIP8 Increase
community consultation
and face to face
engagement with
residents in all parts of
the Borough
Education CO1 A brighter future Children and Young Warwickshire Wildlife
for our children People Trust
CO2 Improving the Education Department
quality of Life Learning and SMBC
CO3 Closing the gap of Inclusion Excellence in Communities
Inequality Primary Schools
CO5 Good Value Improving Health Primary & Secoundary
Services and Inequalities Schools Headteachers
Association
SCIP1 Improve Solihull College
Education in all Schools Solihull 6th Form College
with a particular City Technology College
emphasis on lower Secondary Schools
performing schools Friends of the Earth
within the Borough. Castle Bromwich Hall
SCIP3 Transform Gardens
Childrens Services Solihull Primary Partnership
SCIP5 Meet Life Long Learning
Government targets on Partnerhsip
recycling Solihull PCT
LSC
Early Years Partnership
Connecxions
Birmingham and Black
Country Strategic Health
Authority
Birmingham and Heatlands
NHS Trust
Greenscheme (Groundwork)
Birmingham Energy
Partnership
Business CO2 Improving the Jobs & Enterprise Touchwood
quality of Life Town Centre Partnership
CO5 Good Value Places to Live (Shirley & Solihull)
Services BIA
Land Rover
SCIP5 Meet Solihull Business
Government targets on Partnership
recycling Solihull Chamber of
SCIP6 Deliver physical, Commerce
economic, social
regeneration solutions Whale Tankers
for the Borough as a Ove Arup
whole, with particular Pertemps
focus on North Solihull NEC group
Birmingham Airport
Shiley Chamber of Trade
Hotels
Birmingham Business Park
Blythe Valley
Cranmore
Shirley Business Forums
Colebridge Trust
Economic Devlopment
SMBC
Birmingham Energy
Partnership
Employment CO2 Improving the Jobs & Enterprise The Probation Service
quality of Life
CO5 Good Value Places to Live Solihull Community
Services Housing ILM
CO3 Closing the gap of Learning & Inclusion
Inequality LSC
CO4 Treating people as Education &
individuals within a Employment Economic Development
diverse community. SMBC
SCIP5 Meet Colebridge Trust
Government targets on
recycling Greenscheme
SCIP6 Deliver physical, (Groundwork)
economic, social
regeneration solutions
for the Borough as a
whole, with particular
focus on North Solihull
3.
OPERATIONS PLAN
THEME POTENTIAL PROJECT WHO WILL WHEN? PROJECT POTENTIAL
PROGRAMME/ OBJECTIVES THIS Project SCALE FUNDERS
PROJECT PROJECT Timescale: Small £50K
2005/06
See also major
Medium = Completion
stakeholders for each
2006/07 = Completion
programme
2008+
1. LAND
North Solihull Improve quality of Communities in Short Medium Solihull Community
Regeneration: Small public open space. North Solihull Housing
scale Environmental Rapid response to In Partnership
“Quick Wins” community need. Fordbridge +
Impact. Pathfinder
Community
involvement
Completion March
2006
North Solihull Improve quality of Communities in Long Large Solihull Community
Regeneration: public open space. North Solihull Housing
Community Led Considered response In Partnership
Environmental to community need. Fordbridge +
Improvements Sustainability Pathfinder
Community AWM / GOWM
involvement The Big Lottery
throughout programme
Excellence in Design and implement 5 Excellence in Short Small SMBC Education /
Communities: Site Env. Enhancements Communities Obj 2 ERDF
Environmental Completion School sites
Enhancements September 2005
Home Zones Gather existing Communities in Short - Long Small - SMBC Highways &
baseline data to focus North Solihull Medium Transport
Home Zone activity in
area of greatest need.
Fordbridge Community Increase visual Fordbridge Short – Medium Small - SMBC, Fordbridge
Tree Planting Initiative amenity communities Medium + Pathfinder
Increase ecological
value
Gate It Project Reduction in impact Communities in Short Medium Home Office /
of anti-social North Solihull Groundwork UK
behaviour on local
residents
Smiths Wood etc. Improve quality of Woodland sites Long Medium Forestry
Community Woodland access to local throughout Solihull Commission
Projects woodlands HLF
Community Fordbridge +
Involvement Pathfinder
River Cole Greening for Sustainable Communities Long medium Environment
Growth Programme Environmental adjacent to the Cole Agency
improvements Valley
Improved community
engagement & access
Public Art Projects Increase engagement Sites throughout Short – Medium Small – Solihull
of communities in Solihull Medium Community
local places Housing
In Partnership
Fordbridge +
Pathfinder
The Big Lottery
Schoolground Improve recreational Schools throughout Medium – Long Medium Schools
Improvements and educational value Solihull SMBC Education
of school grounds The Big Lottery
Link to Warwickshire Groundwork UK
Wildlife After School Warwickshire
clubs projects Wildlife Trust
Facilities for Informal Increase access to Communities in Short Small Groundwork UK
Sport POS (especially for North Solihull / Barclay
disadvantaged Sitesavers
groups)
Improve community
health
2. COMMUNITY
North Solihull Increase engagement Communities in Short Medium Solihull
Regeneration ; of local community North Solihull Community
Community with their Housing
Neighbourhood neighbourhood and In Partnership
Landscape Appraisals its regeneration Fordbridge +
Improve suitability of Pathfinder
landscape Community Fund
improvements
North Solihull Engagement of local Communities in Short – Long Small - Large Solihull
Regeneration : community North Solihull Community
Community Sustainability of Housing
Consultation & Events regeneration In Partnership
Programme initiatives Fordbridge +
Pathfinder
Community Fund
Community Engagement of local Communities in Medium - Long Medium Solihull
Consultation & Events community vicinity of River Community
for Project Kingfisher Sustainability of local Cole. Housing
Extension sites for nature Visitors to Project In Partnership
conservation Kingfisher. Fordbridge +
Increase access to Pathfinder
Project Kingfisher Community Fund
Environment
Agency
Development of Park Engagement of local Communities Long Large Solihull
Action Groups community. throughout Solihull Community
Increase relevance Housing
and Sustainability of In Partnership
park management. Fordbridge +
Pathfinder
The Big Lottery
Street Champions Increase knowledge Communities Medium - Long Large Solihull
(Neighbourhood of recycling throughout Solihull Community
Recycling Project) Increase quantity of Housing
recycling at In Partnership
neighbourhood level Fordbridge +
Pathfinder
CRED
3. BUSINESS
Groundwork Bridge IT Waste Minimisation Businesses
Phase 2 Programme throughout Obj 2
Environmental Areas
Improvements
Touchwood Centre Engagement of Touchwood Centre
Programme Touchwood Centre in
Community Projects Communities
Waste Minimisation throughout Solihull
Programme
CSR Volunteering Engagement of Local and Regional Local businesss
Coordination businesses in Businesses
Programme ( see also community projects.
employment theme) Implementation of Communities
environmental throughout Solihull
improvements
Green Business Parks Provide Local business SMBC
environmental advice parks
and options to
business.
4. EDUCATION
“Growing Together” Engagement of the Communities in Long Large Community
Gardening Clubs community in their North Solihull Fund
local environment Solihull
Improve community Local Schools Community
skills and confidence Housing
Improve community Solihull College
health and well-being
Improve appearance Whitesmore School
of neighbourhoods
and sustainability of
local management.
5. YOUTH
Youth Maps: Local Engagement of young Communities in Medium Medium - Solihull
Neighbourhood people in the North Solihull Large Community
Appraisals regeneration process Housing
Improve information In Partnership
on young peoples Fordbridge +
local needs Pathfinder
Improve quality and The Big Lottery
sustainability of
regeneration
initiatives.
Young People and Improve access and Communities Long Medium British
Canals engagement of young adjacent to local Waterways
people with local waterways
waterways.
Reduce anti-social
behaviour on local
waterways
6.EMPLOYMENT
Green Scheme Training of young Communities Short - Long Large SMBC
people in delivery throughout Solihull Solihull
and management of Community
physical Housing
environmental In Partnership
projects Fordbridge +
Employment of Pathfinder
young people for
deprived
communities
Sustainability of
environmental
projects
Corporate Social Training and Businesses and Short – Long Large Community Fund
Responsibility experience in the voluntary Local Businesses
Volunteering implementation of organisations
Coordination environmental and throughout Solihull
Programme (See also community projects. and regionally
Business Theme)
Intermediate Labour To provide Whitefriars, Solihull
Market horticulture, hard Solihull College Community
landscaping and and Solihull Housing
construction industry Community Learning and
skills to hard to reach Housing Skills
individuals in Solihull Council
4. MILESTONES
The following milestones are subject to partner support, funding and other approvals. The draft action plan outlines many options for
activity which will be shaped by stakeholders, key partners and the local communities within which Groundwork operates. As the plan
is discussed and commented upon with partners et al the document will evolve.
April / May June / July August / Sept. October / Nov. December / Jan February / March
New Staff in place Team Building day ILM operational
Submission of Fair Communications Consultation for land Production Information Land based Project Practical Completion of
Share Lottery bid for planning based projects. available for land based implementation Land based projects
„Growing Together‟ projects. Projects out to commences. (February).
gardening clubs Tender.
Submission of Fair Completion of Newport Financial Completion of
Share Lottery bid for Centre area project 2005/06 projects
„CSR volunteering co Smiths Wood,
ordination‟ celebration event.
Delivery of „mini‟ Greenscheme TUPE et Evaluation of projects
school garden at Bishop al negotiations
Wilton school as part of completed
the Excellence in
Communities
Programme
Consultation for land
based projects
commences.
TEAM STRUCTURE
Olivia Clymer
Programme Director
Debbie Cook Andrew Morris Sarah Reece-Mills Jo-Ann Webb
Office Manager Senior Youth & Landscape Consultant
Community Project Programme Manager
Manager (starts mid June)
Dean Lang
Youth & Community
Project Manager