Much of the Coalition Government’s regeneration agenda is based around talk of ‘empowering local people and communities to take a more active role in the way in which their communities develop and local services are delivered’. Linked to the localism agenda, the Government is introducing a right for local communities to shape their local areas by creating neighbourhood plans. This would enable communities to define types of development which will have automatic planning permission without the need for application to the local authority.

As organisations with a much wider remit than purely housing provision, and with access to large numbers of residents, Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) potentially have a major role to play in the development and delivery of neighbourhood plans. Since the late 1980s almost all new social housing has been provided by RSLs. They currently manage around 1.45 million homes and at least twice that many people.

The potential exists for neighbourhood plans to be developed by, or with the co-operation of RSLs that fit closely with the vision for a society with actively engaged citizens and a more simplified and streamlined approach to planning, welfare and health. The development of neighbourhood plans has the potential to assist RSLs in planning and tailoring their wide portfolio of services to meet identified neighbourhood challenges and be responsive to the changing needs of individuals and communities. ekosgen is experienced in developing neighbourhood plans across the UK, focusing on the social and economic aspects of the planning process. We have undertaken neighbourhood plans in areas such as Manchester, Peterborough, Leicester and Nottingham.

Recently the company developed a neighbourhood plan for Aspire, an RSL based in Newcastle-under-Lyme and formed through a large scale stock transfer of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council’s housing stock in 2000. Aspire currently owns and provides services to approximately 8,500 properties and is also an active development and regeneration partner in its local areas. ekosgen worked with Aspire using a collaborative approach between the consultant team, Aspire staff, key partners and the local community to develop the plan.

“ekosgen undertook a robust neighbourhood planning exercise in one of our most deprived neighbourhoods in Newcastle – Crackley. Through extensive engagement with the community, partners and Aspire staff we have produced a neighbourhood plan which contains a strong evidence base and a series of actions which will lead to long lasting impact in this area. ekosgen offer a multitude of skills and experience and we greatly valued their support.”

If you require any further information about how we can help your organisation in the development of neighbourhood plans please do not hesitate to contact Andrew Lord in our Manchester office on 0845 644 3023 / andrew.lord@ekosgen.co.uk.

Policy makers in economic development are increasingly looking to support jobs in the economy of tomorrow and create the conditions to promote private sector growth. And one the most important drivers of that growth will be innovation – see for instance, NESTA’s Rebalancing Act report. In fact, the creation, dissemination and application of knowledge has become a major engine of economic expansion over the last twenty years with some commentators regarding globalisation itself is a product of innovation. Today, innovation is facing new challenges. Its own dynamism has produced a world that requires, in many ways, a rethinking of innovation itself. At ekosgen, we have supported policymakers to create the most conducive conditions for innovation, entrepreneurship and economic growth. The policy and economics team has assessed innovation (and science and technology) infrastructure and specialist support programmes. For instance, ekosgen has reviewed several national schemes including Designing Demand, Manufacturing Advisory Service, Grant for R&D, Grants for Business Investment and Innovation Vouchers. More broadly, the company has reviewed technology events and programmes and has undertaken various commissions examining the effectiveness of sector policy, clusters and niches. Currently, we are undertaking work for Scottish Enterprise examining the investment made to support the development of the stem cell sector – a sector in its infancy yet with massive potential to not only create new business and jobs, but also the potential to treat so many serious conditions, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes, and many more.

http://www.nesta.org.uk/library/documents/rebalancing_act_080610.pdf

If we can help your organisation in this area, please contact sundeep.aulakh@ekosgen.co.uk

What do you think of when you hear about human rights? Prisoners? Terrorism? Torture? Genocide? Discussion of human rights can understandably raise complex and emotive issues. In the political and media storm that surrounds many human rights stories and legal challenges it is easy to forget that human rights issues are present at all levels of society. They do not relate solely to abuses abroad or rights for convicted criminals; human rights affect us all! Human rights in relation to health and social care have received considerable political attention recently. Much of this has focused on care for vulnerable groups and those with limited capacity to ask for their rights to be met, such as older people and people with dementia. The Scottish Government has taken a firm position with regard to human rights and the provision of care, introducing several progressive pieces of legislation and policy which have a human rights based approach at their core. These include the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007, Scotland’s National Dementia Strategy 2010 and the Patients Rights (Scotland) Act 2011. They all centre around the principles of:

• Participation of individuals in decisions which affect their human rights

• Accountability of duty-bearers to rights-holders

• Non-discrimination and equality

• Empowerment of rights holders

• Legality: the application of the Human Rights Act by public authorities linked to international and regional rights standards.

In spring 2010, the issues of older people’s rights moved to the international stage with the first session of the open-ended working group on strengthening the protection of human rights for older people. The group invited the Scottish Human Rights Commission to present on Care About Rights; a training and awareness raising resource which uses practical examples of human rights in care settings and has been delivered to over 800 care workers, older people’s campaign and advocacy groups across Scotland. GEN is currently carrying out a three year evaluation of the project on behalf of SHRC.

Further information, including Care About Rights materials, is available online at: http://www.scottishhumanrights.com/careaboutrights/welcomepage

For more information, please contact Kathleen Latimer on 0845 120 6244 or email: kathleen.latimer@ekosgen.co.uk.

All ERDF supported projects are required as part of their funding agreement to evaluate their activities across their lifetime. Applicants have the option of undertaking evaluation in-house or securing external support. In some regions however, like Yorkshire and Humber, if your project has received more than £3m of ERDF support, evaluations must be undertaken by an external party.

Have you started to think about how your project will be assessed? For example, when will the evaluation(s) be carried out? What are the main evaluation questions? What methods will be adopted? Where will you find independent, external support?

Our team can help you through the process and meet the requirement for a robust assessment. Evaluation is a core part of our business and we have successfully completed more than 150 evaluations in the past three years. Our knowledge spans a wide range of activities including:

• Enterprise and business support;

• Innovation, R&D and knowledge transfer;

• Access to finance;

• Sector development programmes, including low carbon;

• Physical regeneration and infrastructure, for example town  
 centre improvements, business parks and environmental 
 enhancements.

We are familiar with the North West having worked in the region for 10 years, undertaking assessments of 16 significant projects, programmes and delivery approaches in the last 4 years. The company is also at home in the Yorkshire and Humber context and have undertaken assessments of 24 significant projects and programmes there in the last 3 years.

If you would like further information regarding our experience, approach to evaluation or to discuss an evaluation opportunity please contact Kirsten Hedland on 0845 644 3023 or email kirsten.hedland@ekosgen.co.uk.