BMBC 21: Barnsleys Local Area Agreement 2008-2011

ole in the decisions that affect their communities; from participatorybudgeting and measures to strengthen the role of local councillors andvoter turnout, to the empowerment of young people and calls for actionthrough petitions and other forms of participation. Within Barnsley,continued work is taking place around its developing neighbourhoodgovernance arrangements, with the introduction of the new Customerand Neighbourhood Services Directorate within the Council, clearlyarticulating the Council’s commitment to the central role of the customerand the customer experience. The new localism agenda is being led bythe Area Boards and the introduction of the Children, Young Peopleand Families Wellbeing Teams throughout the Borough. These newarrangements facilitate a process where local solutions are developedfor local areas and move away from a one size fits all mentality towardsa delivery of service that is flexible enough to not only respond, but beled by local need.In 2008 Barnsley Council won a prestigious local government accoladein the annual Local Government Chronicle Awards - Leadership andPlace Shaping. This award recognises the importance of the LocalAuthority in providing strategic leadership to the community it serves.Barnsley’s entry related to its leadership through Remaking Barnsleyand Remaking Learning. The bid plotted Barnsley’s redevelopmentsince the 1990s, when South Yorkshire was deemed one of Europe’spoorest areas, to the present day, where the borough is a place ofopportunity with landmark new buildings, modernised schools andmany other community projects. However, it is important to note that112effective place shaping cannot be achieved by any one agency alone,as the shared sense of purpose and common understanding requiresthe commitment of all partners, including the community. The new styleLAA typifies this approach, requiring the commitment of partnerstowards the delivery of faster and bigger improvements for the area.The effective place shaping of an area is underpinned by a shared andconsistent approach to Build the Barnsley Brand, both within theBorough, and to national and regional stakeholders and visitors.However, it is recognised that there is confusion amongst some targetaudiences as to which agency is responsible for which service. It istherefore vital that the waters don’t become even muddier than theyalready are in the eyes of some people. Such a situation can only addto low satisfaction levels and understanding of what is done –particularly, as far as the council is concerned, and this is beingappropriately considered to avoid any further confusion, whilst notcompromising partnership working.Building the Barnsley Brand Barnsley’s Local Area Agreement 2008-11