Streetpride

What is Streetpride?

Streetpride is a new concept in Rotherham whereby all services which contribute to the upkeep and maintenance of the built environment are brought together corporately under one umbrella. The services which comprise Streetpride sit in two directorates (Environment & Development Services and Neighbourhoods) but the Streetpride management team is responsible for the output and outcomes relating to those services.

How will Streetpride involve Communities?

Within the new Streetpride organisation is the Community Delivery Group. This comprises of area based work teams based on the Area Assembly areas. Each area has a designated Streetpride Co-ordinator. In addition, part of the budget available has been devolved to Area Assemblies to be used to address environmental issues specific to their areas.

Can the devolved budget be used to fund DIY projects or projects carried out by "local" contractors?

No. There are a number of issues associated with this:-

The concept of Streetpride is to have all environmental works carried out by properly trained people who are competent to carry them out and who look the part. Consequently, all Streetpride staff wear distinctive uniforms and use properly liveried and maintained vehicles. Eventually, it will be a requirement of all partner organisations to adopt these protocols. Accordingly, it is not appropriate for Council money to be used to fund works which do not conform to these standards.

There are Health and Safety issues associated with DIY projects and again it would not be appropriate for the Council to be involved financially where there is any risk of taking on liabilities in this regard.

The use of DIY enthusiasts and "local" contractors would be against the Council's standing orders in that it is unlikely that there would have been a proper procurement process in arriving at these arrangements.

Finally and probably most importantly, these devolved budgets come from within existing budgets. They are not additional monies. The Streetpride organisation has been set up to deliver all its obligations using the budgets provided and if the budgets are used to finance other arrangements, there is a real risk that staff will have to be made redundant. This might sound like self protection but if in the following year, different choices were made by Area Assembles, we could easily find ourselves in need of the skills we had released the previous year and it is easy to see how the whole process could become discredited.

Does that mean there is no place for volunteers in Streetpride?

Definitely not. There is a role for volunteers and we are keen to work with communities to develop that role. However, by definition, volunteers are unpaid so that the points made above do not apply. As stated, we would be keen to work with volunteers and would make every effort to contribute towards the provision of the materials and equipment required.

Can devolved budgets be used as match funding to draw in other funding?

Yes - we would welcome such an initiative providing the funding which is brought in is used on bona fide Streetpride activities which are carried out by Streetpride resources.

Can elected Members' Community Leadership Fund monies be used on Streetpride activities?

Yes. The current range of services available for "purchase" is shown on the Streetpride shopping list, copies of which are available from area managers and co-ordinators.

What is the role of the Area Managers?

The area managers are completely responsible for all Streetpride issues within their areas which are based on the three parliamentary constituencies. This includes the management of all resources and the achievement of all performance targets.

What is the role of the Area Co-ordinator?

Each co-ordinator has been allocated to a specific Area Assembly. The co-ordinator is primarily a highway inspector who will be patrolling the streets of his/her area on a daily basis. They will be looking for defects which are considered dangerous and will be organising immediate remedial works. They will also be looking for defects which are not immediately dangerous and for these, they will be preparing programmes of works for execution in the future. They will be attending all Area Assembly meetings and will be responsible for keeping the community informed of the status of all Streetpride issues which may have arisen. In addition, they will help the Area Assembly produce a spending plan in respect of its devolved budget.

Is it necessary to build a contingency into the Area spending plan?

This is a good question which does not have a definite answer. At the end of the day it will be the decision of the Area Assembly chair as to whether a contingency amount is allowed. It will not be necessary to allow an amount for things which occur which are legal requirements or health and safety issues since the Council will do those anyway in its capacity as Highway Authority. It is possible that some of the larger chosen schemes may not outturn exactly at the estimated cost and therefore the difference could be funded from a contingency amount. Equally, the difference could be funded by changing a scheme which is lower down the priority list for a less expensive one.

Will the Area spending plan be able to be changed once it has been prepared?

It is important to Streetpride that we do receive properly costed, timely spending plans so that we can plan the work ahead and ensure that we have the correct resources available to deal with the choices made. However, it is envisaged that there will be scope for making adjustments if area priorities change during the course of the year. Clearly, it will aid the planning process if these are kept to a minimum.

Why is the Streetpride logo different from the Council's logo and how will people know you are part of the Council?

We are very proud to be a Council service and keen for people to know that. The Streetpride logo has been designed by the Council's design studio. The fonts used in the logo are the corporate fonts and the motif between the words is lifted straight from the Council's official notepaper. With the exception of clothing, the logo is in the Council's corporate colours and on larger vehicles for instance, the Council's logo appears on one side with the Streetpride logo on the other. When the banners go up in the streets, they will carry both logos and at that time there will be lots of publicity which will ensure that people are aware that Streetpride is part of Rotherham Council.

Has the Area Assembly got true autonomy over Area Spending plans or will Streetpride have to approve it?

The Area Assembly does have true autonomy over the preparation of its spending plan but it will have to adhere to the Council's strategies and policies. For instance, the Area Assembly could not order a fence round a piece of land where the Council had resolved that it should have open access.

How will Streetpride relate to estate management issues which are part of Housing?

Estate management issues which affect the street scene are part of the Streetpride initiative. There are regular liaison meetings between all functional managers in Streetpride to try and ensure that there is "joined up" thinking on all Streetpride issues. Clearly, estate management issues which are to do with letting policies etc. remain the responsibility of Housing.