Community Cohesion Strategy

A report from The Campaign Company

Summary

Implications and conclusions

6.1 Continuing the dialogue

6.1.1 Some residents were far less willing take part in further survey work, however on the whole they were happy to take part in doorstep surveys. In order to build engagement, more regular and ongoing doorstep contact is required as these people are much less likely to come to meetings.

A pro-active approach, talking to residents on the streets they live in to 'take it on the chin' from them, is required. If they feel that this will be a long-term meaningful process (and there are some quick demonstrable benefits), they will participate and cooperate.

6.2 Safety

6.2.1 Something that united all communities was a concern over youth antisocial behaviour. This was not as an issue with a racial dimension, but as a general problem with young people.

6.2.2 Both white and minority ethnic residents felt there should be more things for young people to do.

6.2.3 Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams could be encouraged to work with residents to identify places where young people loiter. The Council could work with the Safer Neighbourhood Teams and detached youth workers to engage with young people where they are rather than expect them to engage directly with the council or other agencies.

6.2.4 The extension and promotion of neighbourhood watch or street watch schemes would be a fruitful way of fostering cohesion through this issue.

6.3 Improving the local environment

6.3.1 Further consultation survey work could identify areas where people specifically perceive the need for environmental improvement. Targeted 'clean sweeps' would show local residents that the council is visibly responding to their concerns.

6.3.2 Specific initiatives to promote the tidiness of front gardens would address an issue that many residents have raised about untidy houses bringing down the neighbourhood.

6.4 Promoting pride in Barking and Dagenham

6.4.1 The issues of regeneration is not seen as universally positive as it adds to peoples' anxiety about the pace and nature of change. Care needs to be taken with the communications around regeneration and house building to ensure that people are as far as possible reassured.

6.4.2 A campaign promoting the high expectations required of all residents - whoever they or wherever they have come from - to look after the area would locate the council as being on the side of the responsible majority.

6.5 Local shops

6.5.1 The changing pattern of retail outlets - and indeed pubs converting to other uses - is seen as symbolic of the decline of the area.

Contact

Heather Wills

Head of Community Services, Libraries and Heritage

Civic Centre

Rainham Road North

Dagenham

RM10 7BN

Tel: 020 8227 2786

Fax: 020 8227 2241

Textphone: 020 8227 2462

Email: heather.wills@lbbd.gov.uk|