PACEC has developed an approach and range of techniques to work with local communities to identify needs, encourage renewal, social inclusion and participation and prepare area frameworks and action plans. Initiatives we have been involved in include New Deal, Neighbourhood Renewal Strategies, SRB and RDA Single Pot projects. Our approach also brings together local people and resources with initiatives, local agencies and employers. A key to the issues faced is the ability to harness the energy of people in deprived neighbourhoods so that they are motivated to participate in local initiatives.

Key Issues

• Assessing the degree of disadvantage and physical decline
• Demand and supply side barriers to employment and opportunities: the attitudes of firms and employment conditions and the skills, and confidence of residents
• Audit of facilities: housing, the environment, recreation, transport and access, community support
• Outreach and engagement of the disadvantaged and their community groups
• Audits of resources, targeting and action planning
• The role of stakeholders and agencies

Examples of Projects

• LDA: Thames Gateway. Development Framework. Major audit of all policies, actions and projects in core areas of Bexley and Greenwich neighbourhood renewal areas, i.e. 250 services with forty organisations.
• Bexley Borough Council: Survey of unemployed residents in Bexley Thameside and their needs to take advantage of jobs with inward investors.
• Haringey Borough Council: City Growth Strategy. Work with local groups and the unemployed on skills and enterprise needs in neighbourhood renewal areas. (Part of national pilot and London Team.)
• Wrexham County Borough: The preparation of a regeneration strategy and development of a project-based action programme to address social exclusion and community needs for jobs, and environmental enhancement in Cefn Mawr. Advice on use of PFI for an estate housing, and a health centre initiative.
• Local Authorities and LSCs/TECs: Survey research with the unemployed through street and household surveys:
  • Brighton
  • Oldham
  • Bristol
  • Sheffield
  • Lewisham
  • Hammersmith
  • Frome
  • Nottingham