Community Action Scheme
The Community Action Scheme brings together residents and a range of organisations to tackle housing and environmental issues in a specific area by identifying local priorities and making best use of resources.
Who takes part in the scheme
The Community Action Scheme is led by our Community Action Team (CAT), which includes members of our Community Protection Service, planning, Neighbourhood wardens and housing teams, who work alongside police and community support officers and fire and rescue teams. As well as delivering some level of enforcement, we have a key role in promoting health and healthier lifestyles.
While our members stay involved throughout the programme, other partners may join in the delivery of certain programmes in line with identified problems or issues.
Why this work is happening
We work across the county and provide resources to target particular areas and problems. We use enforcement powers to encourage owners, occupiers and landlords to take responsibility for their neighbourhood and their properties.
How it works
We normally deliver an 11 week rolling programme, moving around the county and focusing on a certain community each time. This breaks down into:
- two weeks of identifying issues and planning priorities
- seven weeks of action
- two weeks of review
When moved on to another area, any new issues are then dealt with by the existing services in the area. This unique project model, working alongside the community to improve local conditions, means that the impact of the Community Action Scheme continues beyond the project period, with residents experiencing longer-term benefits.
What happens
We will ask residents, businesses and members of the local community for input in areas and problems they would like us to tackle.
Information from those involved with the community informs the main priorities chosen by residents during a residents' engagement event at the start of the CAT programme. We then focus on these during our weeks of action.
Our current project
We are currently in Newton Aycliffe (West Ward) until 22 September having just spent a successful 11 weeks in Annfield Plain.
If you live or work in the area, fill in our West Ward survey and let us know any areas of concern.
We will concentrate on the following streets: Airton Pace; Arncliffe Place; Askrigg Close; Aysgarth Close; Bakewell Place; Bates Close; Booth Walk; Brockett Close; Easkdale Place; Fox Place; Garburn Place; Hawes Place; Hawkshead Place; Honister Place; Keld Road; Kestral Court; Kirkstone Place; Langdale Place; Loraine Walk; Mackenzie Place; Malham Crescent; Marrick Close; Merlin Court; Pateley Close; Reeth Place; Rylestone Close; Sampson Close; Scott Place; Sid Chaplin Drive; Silverdale Place; Skipton Close; Stainforth Close; Thornton Close; Whinlatter Place.
What we'll tackle
In response to your suggestions we will concentrate on the following issues:
- removing rubbish that has been dumped in gardens, on streets and on waste ground
- anti-social behaviour and noise
- improving housing standards and management of privately rented property
Future projects
We will be in the following places on the following dates:
- Deaf Hill, 30 September to 15 December.
In partnership with
- Municipal Journal 2013 Achievement Awards - Commended