This assessment sets out how your local public services are working together to tackle the major issues facing the people of Lewisham. Where we use a red flag, this is to highlight where something more or different needs to happen to ensure that the most important challenges in Lewisham are addressed. Where we use a green flag, this means that public bodies are achieving exceptional outcomes in priority areas, or something innovative, and that others can learn from.
Green flags - exceptional performance or innovation that others can learn from
Community engagement and empowerment of local people
This is an area where local partners perform excellently. Empowering and involving local people is at the heart of the way public sector partners work in Lewisham to improve the area as a place to live. Partners have an excellent track record of involving local people, including those who are less likely to be active in the local community. The voluntary and community sector and local residents are more satisfied with their ability to influence local decisions than people in most other London boroughs and nationally. The partners on the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) all have well-established and strong links with the people living in Lewisham. The LSP, chaired by the executive Mayor, is one of the main forums for responding to community needs. Voluntary and community organisations in Lewisham are an important part of this involvement and a recent survey shows they are positive about the support they get locally.
Surveys identify Lewisham as an excellent place for empowering and involving residents and the voluntary and community sector. Local surveys show the number of people who feel they can influence local decisions has increased over the last three years and more young people now feel they are involved than in 2006. A recent national survey shows that the number of people who feel they can influence decisions in their area and the levels of civic participation in the local area are among the best in London. A national survey of voluntary and community sector organisations showed Lewisham to be the best environment in London for the sector and fourth nationally. The voluntary sector in Lewisham is also more satisfied about their ability to influence relevant local decisions.
Lewisham's 18 Local Assemblies are making a difference to the lives of residents. Over 4,000 local residents have attended their local assembly in the last year and the number of young people attending has increased to 25 per cent, following targeted action by partners. Each area has been given £60,000 to spend locally and local priorities for local public service providers are set by the local residents. Some examples of actions include: six new cycle paths in Catford South, the bringing forward (from 2012 to 2009-10) of the resurfacing of a road in Whitefoot ward, new road signage in Evelyn to reduce traffic congestion and road traffic accidents, many new activities for local youth, and a range of environmental improvements.
Council tenants and patients are involved in shaping Lewisham's services leading to improved outcomes for local people. Thousands of council tenants were directly involved in deciding the options for the long term management and investment in their homes. For example, over 6000 former council tenants transferred to a new housing association run and lead by tenants, a first in London. This has allowed them to attract investment of £140 million to improve their homes. Local people in the New Cross and Evelyn Wards decided the location for a GP led walk-in centre and where money from the Communities for Health Fund would be spent to help small community groups improve health locally. The fund was paid to local voluntary organisations who involved local people in initiatives to improve health in their community.
Local residents also influenced the SE London hospitals consultation leading to positive outcomes for Lewisham's residents. Over 60 community and voluntary groups in Lewisham and the local community were consulted. The final decisions submitted to the Secretary of State and approved were significantly altered to reflect the views of Lewisham residents and the various local community and voluntary organisations consulted. Some of the changes include retaining day surgery, maternity services and Accident and Emergency at Lewisham Hospital.
Young people in Lewisham feel more actively involved than in other parts of London. There are very effective channels for seeking the views of children and young people, particularly the most vulnerable, and involving them in decisions that affect their lives. The last council residents' survey 2007 showed that 52 per cent of young people felt the council involves them in decision-making, much higher than the London average. There has been an elected Young Mayor and advisors since 2004. The turnout at the Young Mayor's election in Lewisham has increased every year to almost half of young people in 2008. Three-quarters of young people in Lewisham take part in positive activities, such as sports, arts or a youth group, outside school lessons, which is the second highest in London. Lewisham also has England's first specialist school for citizenship. The young commissioners for children in care are an example of good engagement of more vulnerable young people. Fifteen young people in the council's care were trained to decide what services should be provided for young people in care. These young commissioners developed an application form and, with support from adults, were able to ensure funding went to projects which genuinely helped young people in care.
Partners recognise that some groups were not involved enough. These were the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transsexual (LGBT) community, travellers, some newer faith communities and people with learning disabilities. Partners have targeted LGBT groups for involvement in local assemblies and in wider issues. Gypsy, Roma and other traveller communities now participate in the Lewisham Travellers Forum which helps improve their use of public services in Lewisham. A Learning Disabilities Parliament has been formed and has greatly increased the number of people with a learning disability who have the opportunity to discuss the services delivered by partners. The Parliament now feeds directly into the LSP through the Learning Disability Partnership Board. Newer faith communities like Tamils are now also represented on the LSP.
Overall, engagement and empowerment of local communities is strong and well-established, with partners using some different and innovative ways to improve services. The strong involvement of voluntary and community groups is a good basis for continuing this.
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