Agenda item

Deputy Chief Executive to report

The Committee scrutinised a report of the Deputy Chief Executive which advised that ‘Placed Based’ working was becoming a key area of transformation within the Corporate Plan, aiming to deliver more and more services and functions locally, across the Borough’s five districts. The submitted report updated the Committee on current progress along with some future suggested areas of exploration to check on progress of implementation.

Place based integration (PBI) was a person-centred, ‘bottom-up’ approach that was being used to meet the unique needs of people in a given location. This was achieved by public and community services working together to use the best available resources whilst collaborating to share local knowledge and insight. By working in partnership with residents, it aimed to build a picture of the system from a local perspective, taking an asset-based approach that highlights the strengths, capacity, and knowledge of all individuals and groups involved.

The Committee was informed that Oldham’s PBI approach has been iterative, based on testing and learning. In September 2021 a deep dive report was presented to the Authority’s ‘Leadership’ on the role of district working and place-based integration. This provided the background and current position of district working/PBI across Oldham and its evolution over the past 10 years. The discussion with elected Members was positive, focusing on the need to progress the implementation of PBI, particularly operational arrangements and local governance.

Throughout 2021/2022 the programme has made demonstrable progress against the following areas:

•         Geographical segmentation to five places, aligned to the Primary Care Networks, Neighbourhood Policing and the CVS through Action Together.

•         Alignment of services to the place including Community Safety, Early Help, Neighbourhood Policing, Youth, District Teams, Social Prescribing and Community Development. Housing provider representatives agreed for each place. Further alignment is required to include environmental services and public protection as well as key partner agencies such as DWP.

•         Progress made including co-terminus geographical and service alignment, good CVS, strong partnerships and Member engagement.

•         Governance established across the partnership; Public Service Reform Board, PBI Strategic Steering Group

•         Scrutiny Task and Finish Group in development focusing on key areas of PBI implementation including CVS capacity and resident awareness

•         Targeted workstreams established including workforce reform, PBI Hubs, Early Intervention & Prevention, District governance

•         Alignment of PBI as key enabler in the Oldham Plan

•         Development of the PBI Vision and Principles to be presented at the PSR Board (September)

•         Launch of Planning for Real sessions in the South, further dates planned to December including evidence profiles

•         Development of a workforce plan including strength-based training

•         Development of a resident offer within place focused on Cost of Living

•         PBI Hub Development with key sites identified.

The Deputy Chief Executive advised that initial discussion had taken place through a task and finish group which had been convened by the Chair of this Committee. The meeting discussed the implementation of place-based working and integration across the Oldham Borough and the active role that scrutiny could have within this process. The Deputy Chief Executive provided a presentation describing the Oldham journey to date, the drivers for change and opportunities associated with place-based integration and next steps.

The task and finish group highlighted the complexity of the programme which was far reaching and encompassed the whole system. This would require further discussions to examine key parts of the programme. Whilst the shift towards local delivery was welcomed, it was needed to take account of the current inconsistency and fragmentation in the types of support that residents received across the borough as well as their understanding of what the offer was.

The task and finish group had noted the important contribution made by community and voluntary partners, particularly demonstrated throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the sector faced real challenges in attracting and maintaining volunteers, particularly younger residents, as well as challenges in securing funding, managing buildings, and legal understanding as examples. There was agreement on the need for better infrastructure support.

The terms of reference for the task and finish group were circulated for Member’s consideration.

Resolved:

1.    That the report be noted.

2.    That the task and finish group investigating Council Policy and Implementation of Place Based Integration be formally adopted by this Committee and the terms of reference relating thereto be approved.