1 Introduction

1.1 Bids are invited for a second round of Tenant-Led Neighbourhood Studies and applications from any of the five pilot neighbourhood studies for an extension to the next stage where it can be demonstrated that additional funding is likely to achieve genuine change.   The information below sets out the key criteria for funding and the process for applications.

1.2 The deadline for applications for the second round bid closes 5.00 pm Monday, 14 January 2008 and applications for the pilot neighbourhood study extensions bid round closes 5.00 pm Tuesday, 7 January.

2 Background

2.1 The right to manage gives council tenants an opportunity to take responsibility for managing housing services.  Housing services sometimes include wider ‘neighbourhood’ services, for example caretaking and grounds maintenance, but sometimes not.  There are no clear rules on this: it often depends on the local authority and the particular estate.  As a rule, services that are provided from the Housing Revenue Account are usually included as services tenants can take responsibility for under the right to manage if they wish.

2.2 For many tenants' and residents' groups the issues they wish to address do not fall neatly into service departments.  They require a response from more than one service provider.  Neighbourhood management projects have successfully addressed some of these challenges and demonstrated the benefits of a co-ordinated, neighbourhood-based approach, to the delivery of services.

2.3 Increasingly, estates that were once dominated by a single tenure are becoming multi-tenure and multi-landlord.  Even where stock has not been transferred it is common to find estates containing housing association developments for rent and for sale, as well as increased owner-occupation through the right to buy.

2.4 Earlier this year (2006/07) we invited bids for funding from organisations wishing to carry out studies into the feasibility of residents taking greater responsibility for decisions relating to the management of both their homes and their neighbourhoods, and to identify any barriers that may hinder progress.

2.5 We funded five such pilot schemes. These studies are now reaching conclusion and some of them are moving to the second stage of their development.  All have made progress in exploring options and highlighting the opportunities and barriers to resident-led organisations having influence over wider neighbourhood services.

3 Summary of Lessons from Round 1 Pilot Studies

3.1 It’s vital to get early engagement of the right organisations.

3.2 Initially this will involve identifying key individuals.  But it is important to get commitment from organisations to explore changing the way services are prioritised and delivered.

3.3 Service mapping is a vital part of the process, and this requires information from service providers.  Begin discussions on this at as early a stage as possible – as it can take time.

3.4 Emphasise the benefits of resident-led initiatives, particularly if there is a Tenant Management Organisation or similar organisation involved.

3.5 Learn from neighbourhood management initiatives round the country: information is available on the web-site of the National Neighbourhood Management Network (www.neighbourhoodmanagement.net)

3.6 Always focus on the needs of residents.

3.7 Set clear objectives, and a clear timetable.  Try and get partners to agree to this at an early stage.

4 Neighbourhood Studies Round 2

4.1 We have decided to fund a second round of neighbourhood studies. These projects will pick up on the lessons learned from the pilots, as well as other neighbourhood management initiatives, to develop tenant-led solutions to problems of poor service co-ordination and delivery.

4.2 The first round pilots studies will be evaluated and further lessons may well feed into the second round and stage 2 in particular.

5 Criteria

5.1 We will fund the projects in two stages.  The exact nature of each project, and the work involved in each stage, will depend on the circumstances and concerns in that specific neighbourhood, the nature of tenant / resident organisations, and the amount of neighbourhood management-type activity already taking place.

6 Stage 1

6.1 The aim of this stage will be to set out the key issues, how services are delivered, and the scope for greater resident involvement in the co-ordination and delivery of services.  We would expect the stage to:

• Discover from residents groups/previous studies the main issues for residents
• Map current service delivery in the neighbourhood, including what standards are used in setting and monitoring those services
• Explore opportunities for residents having more influence over the priorities for neighbourhood services and the co-ordination of those services and how these might be achieved
• Explore appropriate neighbourhood governance structures
• Clearly identify barriers to achieving greater resident influence on services

6.2 Projects must be led by organisations of social housing tenants.

6.3 Applications must show clearly the activities that will be funded including timescales, and how this will achieve the aims above.

6.4 The project will be required to provide reports on progress in a format set out by Communities and Local Government or the Housing Corporation.

6.5 We envisage a timescale of 3 - 6 month for this stage.

6.6 An assessment of stage 1 studies may take place.  We would not expect to take all stage 1 studies forward to stage 2.

7 Stage 2

7.1 Where there are clear opportunities for developing enhanced resident involvement, we will fund a second stage to begin development of the mechanisms and structures to deliver resident-led neighbourhood management.

7.2 The exact nature of the stage will depend on the outcomes of Stage 1, but applications will need to show.

• How the processes and structures will be supported and developed beyond this project.  We will need to be convinced that the work will be sustained as there will be no further funding after stage 2
• Who the key partners are in developing the work, what role(s) these partners currently play, and what role(s) it is envisaged them playing in the future
• Support for the development from key partners
• The governance structures that will be developed
• Clear achievable outcomes from the grant funding. It must include milestones, and a timetable for the whole project and each of the milestones.
• How the grant will be used to achieve the outcomes

7.3 The project will be required to provide reports on progress in a format set out by Communities and Local Government or the Housing Corporation.

7.4 We envisage a timescale of 6 - 12 months for this stage.

8 The Criteria for Selection of the Neighbourhoods

8.1 The neighbourhoods will be ones where social housing tenants form a significant proportion of residents.

8.2 There will be active tenants / residents groups who support the application and the aims of the project.

8.3 We will want to see a commitment from key service providers to exploring options for increased resident influence and to providing information to enable this to happen.

8.4 We will look for at least one of the projects to be in a neighbourhood where there is more than one social landlord, and the project will explore co-ordination of services provided by the social landlords as part of the work.

9 Funding

9.1 The Housing Corporation is inviting organisations of social housing tenant to submit a bid to carry out these studies. 

9.2 In order to contract funding these organisations should be incorporated, where groups are not incorporated applications may be made through approved agents or other incorporated parties.

9.3 Up to £175,000 of tenant empowerment funding is available to extend the first round pilot studies and commence the second round stage 1 studies.

9.4 Allocation for the funding of second round stage 2 studies cannot be confirmed until budgets for 2008/09 are known and finalised.

9.5 Successful studies are expected to commence immediately and no later than 1 April 2008.

9.6 Any queries regarding the second round bid round should be made to tenantempowerment@housingcorp.gsx.gov.uk

10 Timetable for Second Round Neighbourhood Studies Funding

10.1 Second round bid round opens on Tuesday 4 December 2007.

10.2 Deadline for application for the second round bid round closes 5.00 pm Monday 14 January 2008.

10.3 Applications assessment phase.

10.4 Applicants notified of outcomes Monday 4 February 2008.

11 To Apply for Second Round Neighbourhood Studies Funding

11.1 Complete application template for second round neighbourhood studies funding.

11.2 Send to tenantempowerment@housingcorp.gsx.gov.uk by closing deadline.

12 Extending the Pilot Neighbourhood Studies

12.1 We are willing to consider applications from any of the five pilot neighbourhood studies where it can be demonstrated that additional funding is likely to achieve genuine change: change that will enable residents to have significant influence over their neighbourhood services.

12.2 We envisage a timescale of up to 12 months maximum.

13 Criteria

13.1 Grant will be dependant on fulfilling each of the following criteria:

13.2 Sustainability:  Applicants will have to state how the processes and structures will be supported and developed beyond this project. We will need to be convinced that the work will be sustained as there will be no further funding available.

13.3 Partnership:  Applicants will have to state who they see as the key partners in developing the work, what role(s) these partners currently play, and what role(s) it is envisaged them playing in the future.

We will want a short statement of support to the aims of the project from the key partners. 

13.4 Clear achievable outcomes and milestones:  The application must show clear achievable outcomes from the grant funding. It must include milestones, and a timetable for the whole project and each of the milestones.

13.5 How the grant will be used:  The application must clearly show how the grant will be used to achieve the outcomes

14 Grant Conditions for Pilot Neighbourhood Study Extension

14.1 CLG may commission an evaluation of the projects. It will be a condition of the grant that the project co-operates with such an evaluation, providing appropriate information and access to partners.

14.2 The project will be required to provide reports on progress in a format set out by CLG or the Corporation.

15 Timetable for Pilot Neighbourhood Study Extension

15.1 Pilot neighbourhood study extension bid round opens on Tuesday 4 December 2007.

15.2 Deadline for application for the pilot neighbourhood study extension bid round closes 5.00 pm Tuesday 7 January 2007.

15.3 Applications assessment phase.

15.4 Applicants notified of outcomes Tuesday 29 January 2008.

16 To Apply for Pilot Neighbourhood Study Extension

16.1 Complete application template.

16.2 Send to tenantempowerment@housingcorp.gsx.gov.uk by closing deadline.