EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Stockton Borough Council: Engaging Partners

Stockton Borough Council: Engaging Partners

Introduction

The case study details the safer Stockton partnership which was established to enhance community safety in the area.

Problem

The Safer Stockton Partnership is the ‘community safety arm’ of the Stockton Renaissance – the Local Strategic Partnership and demonstrates Stockton’s commitment to partnership working. This partnership came about after other successful partnership have broken down barriers with voluntary and community organizations and developed trust.

Description

The case study illustrates how the Partnership has made collaborative working a reality. Achievement has involved the creative use of funding, valuing members, breaking down barriers and developing trust.

The partnership has an impressive track record in attracting external funding and in sustaining successful interventions beyond the lifetime of the funding regime.

This is achieved, by using a strong performance management ethos, to monitor and evaluate success, thereby generating confidence with the funding sources.

Approach

The partnership has tried to ensure that every member makes a difference, by his or her contribution which has also helped to sustain their interest and commitment. At an operational level there are action groups for each key objective in the Community Safety Plan. A representative from a member agency chairs these six groups.

The Safer Stockton Partnership merged with the Youth Offending Steering Group in 2002 and integrated with the Stockton Drug Action Team in 2003. They now have joint meetings every six months. In addition, they work with wider partners as well as local agencies.

Results

This executive summary highlights critical success factors, challenges and barriers and do's and don'ts of setting up a partnership. Below are the key lessons learnt:

Secondments can drive collaboration, particularly when they have a base that is shared with the local authority team;
Efficiencies can be achieved through partnership, but the structures need to be in place;
The multi-agency partnership can make a difference through collaboration. The partnership has also achieved substantial reductions in dwelling burglary and vehicle crime, and has maintained a top quartile position in the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership Family Group for Violent Crime.

Beneficiaries

Residents, community, voluntary and statutory organisations acting in the area, community networks and partnerships.

Resources used

Partner agencies use elements of their mainstream resources, to achieve the six objectives. In 2002, they set up a small, pooled budget of £17,000 for joint work.

The partnership also has the lead role in managing two areas of Government funding:

the Safer and Stronger Communities Fund and
the Police Basic Command Unit Fund.

It intends to seek funding from other sources, such as the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and the European Union.

Contact info

Stockton-Upon Tees Borough Council
Marilyn Davies (Community Safety Manager), tel. +44 (0) 1642 393939

Project start date

//1998

Links

Visit the Ignite North East website (the regional centre for excellence for sustainable communities in the North East)

Download the 'Stockton Borough Council: Engaging Partners' (PDF, Eng, 67 KB)

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy

Keywords

Security & crime prevention, Social inclusion & integration