The research evaluates case study evidence of the benefits, barriers and critical success factors in neighbourhood-level working. The findings show that there are many different forms of neighbourhood arrangements carrying out different functions and tackling different issues.

Most neighbourhood arrangements have links with Local Strategic Partnerships and Local Area Agreements (LAA). Different groups of people are involved in neighbourhood arrangements for different reasons, and the reasons for disengagement are varied.

Engaging diverse groups in neighbourhood arrangements is significant. The role of ward councillors in neighbourhood working impacts on community engagement and community working. There are links between neighbourhood arrangements and citizen engagement, and improvements to service delivery.

The promotion of localism and neighbourhood working is a government priority reflected in the government document “Citizen engagement and public services: why neighbourhoods matter”.

The Neighbourhoods Agenda aims to secure sustainable improvements in public services, and to re-engage citizens with the institutions of government.

The Choice Agenda is also central to the government’s programme to modernise public services. Evidence is needed on current good practice in the field of neighbourhood governance to inform policy-makers and practitioners.

A literature review identified examples of good (and bad) practice in neighbourhood working from both UK and international sources.

The review covered a number of themes including:

Case studies provided information on new ways of working. Additional information was supplied by relevant papers and discussions with colleagues working on different aspects of the neighbourhood agenda.

There appear to be significant benefits from neighbourhood working both in terms of service improvement and engaging citizens, including increased awareness amongst service providers of residents’ need, pooling of resources, and increased ease of access to services.

Barriers and constraints are posed by resources and the costs of neighbourhood working, lack of capacity to deliver local priorities, attitudes etc.

Critical success factors identified from the case studies include the existence of community networks, access to funding, leadership and management, involvement at appropriate levels, and strong performance management.

There is growing evidence of what can and does work at the neighbourhood level, but with many services the business case for neighbourhood working has still to be made.

Communities and Local Government
Eland House, Bressenden Place
SW1E 5DU London
Phone: +44 20 7944 4400
Contactus@communities.gsi.gov.uk

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01/10/2006

Geoff White, SQW and others

research

Urban Policy