LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 1/67 - Big Local Annual Learning Review 2013-14…

Big Local Annual Learning Review 2013-14: Final report

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 2/67 - Contents

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 3/67 - Introduction This review sets out the fi…

Introduction This review sets out the findings of the third Annual Review of Big Local. It draws on data collected in the year April 2013 to March 2014 by Local Trust and partners in order to report on progress towards the Big Local aim and outcomes, as well as to reflect on what has been learnt during the year and the implications for the coming years. It is based on records kept by Local Trust and partners during the year and interviews with Local Trust and partners (who are generally referred to as respondents throughout).

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 4/67 - �

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 5/67 - Chapter One: Accessing funding and suppo…

Chapter One: Accessing funding and support

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 6/67 - � The Big Local Plan � once the plan is …

� The Big Local Plan � once the plan is endorsed by Local Trust, areas can begin to access their �1 million; this includes 5% of their total annual spend towards partnership running costs or grant administration

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 7/67 - Table 1: Funding accessed by areas in 20…

Table 1: Funding accessed by areas in 2013-4

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 8/67 - This shows that, during 2013-14:

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 9/67 - spending the money is one of these. Alth…

spending the money is one of these. Although some areas perhaps remain too cautious, Local Trust sense that attitudes toward spend are changing as areas gain experience. Nonetheless, the priority for Local Trust now is on moving from process to delivery and the message is that there will need to be more focus on spend.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 10/67 - Table 3: Access to funding by region

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 11/67 - As Table 3 shows, there has been conside…

As Table 3 shows, there has been considerable success in identifying candidates for Try It and Do It awards, but it is taking longer to move to the Build It stage: UnLtd speak of `a sort of plateau effect in some of their award levels. The challenge now is to move further on growing ideas and encouraging genuine innovation. However, UnLtd affirm the importance of taking risks and this will mean that there will still be a fair number of ideas that do not take off.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 12/67 - Families

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 13/67 - The third most frequently occurring topi…

The third most frequently occurring topic is young people/children. A number of areas such as Leeming Aycliffe and William Morris consider intergenerational activities to be crucial. William Morris aim to involve young and older people in facilitating events together:

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 14/67 - these areas. The first credit union due …

these areas. The first credit union due diligence assessment was completed during 2013-4 and State Aid and Programme Related Investment assessments have been developed and completed for Ipswich and Suffolk Credit Union. The emphasis is now shifting from talking about social investment to focussing on `local economics, with social investment as a strategy within it.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 15/67 - Overall, reps gave more time to waves tw…

Overall, reps gave more time to waves two and three, indicating the growing independence of wave one and the willingness to progress from waves two and three. As might be expected, reps committed the most days to wave three areas, which were in the process of Getting Started. By Quarter 4, however, the proportion of wave three areas receiving more than 10 days support almost halved, perhaps because the majority had received their Getting Started funds. The number of days of support reported for wave two increased during the second, third and fourth quarters. This tallies with a small increase in documents submitted for endorsement.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 16/67 - Figure 2: Rep support overview

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 17/67 - Additional support and rep transfers Dur…

Additional support and rep transfers During 2013-14, rep reviews were carried out by Renaisi in most areas in discussion with local area partnerships. The number of reviews increased during the year. This might be expected as an increasing number of wave one and two areas have had their plans and partnerships endorsed. (Renaisi have recently introduced a self-assessment framework for reps.)

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 18/67 - friction between the rep and a paid work…

friction between the rep and a paid worker. Or they may reflect a tension between how the area wants to move forward and the ethos of the Programme more generally. But Renaisi note that the nature of complaints is beginning to change � these now focus less on the rep and more on what is going on within the area or local politics � an issue to which we will return in Chapter 4.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 19/67 - judgement. As part of this, the importan…

judgement. As part of this, the importance of the centre feeling able to be assertive in defence of the ethos of Big Local is recognised. For example, it is important that areas are challenged if what they are doing might not benefit the wider community or does not meet the Programmes four outcomes; indeed, their capacity to respond to challenge can often be a healthy sign. Local Trust and partners therefore see their relationship with areas as being about `constructive challenge, and `getting areas to ask the right questions. We will return to this question in Chapter 5.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 20/67 - Chapter 2: Match funding and in-kind sup…

Chapter 2: Match funding and in-kind support to Big Local areas

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 21/67 - other sponsors will emerge to offer supp…

other sponsors will emerge to offer support. So the amounts here are an indication only of what may emerge in the future.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 22/67 - Table 8: Average amounts of match and in…

Table 8: Average amounts of match and in-kind support expected in relation to Getting People Involved and Getting Started by wave

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 23/67 - Table 9: Source of expected match or in-…

Table 9: Source of expected match or in-kind support for Getting Started and Getting People Involved

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 24/67 - consultation (but fewer spending this mo…

consultation (but fewer spending this money on events). Small grants are also slightly more popular with wave three. Other ways in which this money was used included venue hire and volunteer expenses, but they are not included in the table as they are very low percentages.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 25/67 - other organisations and the development …

other organisations and the development of fundraising capacity through training sessions are all part of the Programme Coordinators role.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 26/67 - EXAMPLE ONE: Multiple match funders Sout…

EXAMPLE ONE: Multiple match funders South Bermondsey have secured �500,000 over the first 18 months of being a Big Local area. Funders include: The Queens Jubilee Fund; Community First; The Situ Foundation; Southwark Council `Cleaner Greener Safer Fund; The Community Council; The Southwark Council Halls Fund; Southwark Mobility Fund; and United St Saviours Fund. According to the Renaisi report on a networking event with South Bermondsey:

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 27/67 - Four Big Local areas have expressed an i…

Four Big Local areas have expressed an interest in accessing EU Structural Funds. This is a very recent development, first referred to in the third quarter of 2013-4:

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 28/67 - administrative support needed for a Euro…

administrative support needed for a European funded project and the management of relationships as part of a consortium.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 29/67 - quarterly reports reps also mention in-k…

quarterly reports reps also mention in-kind support. Such support may be administrative, such as a community organisation or a LTO (Locally Trusted Organisation) helping to recruit a community worker or provide photocopying and printing facilities. This is mentioned, for example, in relation to wave three areas that are just beginning their journey: one rep reported how a community organisation helped `explore what [the area] would like to do during the `Getting Started phase, which helped identify the core skills, experience and knowledge that a potential LTO would need. CDF, in their `Influences on Big Local report, note that LTOs have also assisted areas in thinking about the Big Local process: `[The] Locally Trusted Organisation can provide an objective perspective on the area and facilitate new and different thinking.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 30/67 - Chapter Three: Access to learning and su…

Chapter Three: Access to learning and support

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 31/67 - future, while evaluation of each event o…

future, while evaluation of each event offers some indication of what participants got out of it.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 32/67 - Who attended? 104 of the 150 Big Local a…

Who attended? 104 of the 150 Big Local areas sent at least one delegate to a spring event. Distribution across the events suggests that the earliest events were principally attended by waves one and two, and the later events principally by wave three.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 33/67 - Table 11 shows the 17 thematic events ca…

Table 11 shows the 17 thematic events categorised into three broad themes:

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 34/67 - attended Getting and Keeping People Invo…

attended Getting and Keeping People Involved wanted support particularly in relation to young people.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 35/67 - the events and who attended. This detail…

the events and who attended. This detail gave insights into (a) what was valued by the Big Local areas and (b) how areas can support each other.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 36/67 - � `Fratton agreed to share their [govern…

� `Fratton agreed to share their [governance] documents via their website as they currently have an invitation to tender out for an LTO.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 37/67 - Table 12: Event Take-up held by NANM

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 38/67 - `I deliver full-day workshops with a lot…

`I deliver full-day workshops with a lot of content. I think we need shorter, less content-heavy, more awareness-raising events in local areas.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 39/67 - Future opportunities for learning Throug…

Future opportunities for learning Through their quarterly reports reps also identify areas of learning that they feel Big Local residents would benefit from. These are represented in the Wordle, created from the Q2 and Q3 reports. These are the most common words used by reps when describing where access to learning needs to focus. The larger the word, the more often it has been used:

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 40/67 - doing events. Areas are beginning to loo…

doing events. Areas are beginning to look further afield for learning opportunities and partners are helping them to link up with other resources. Its possible that this approach could allow for more innovation as areas gain in confidence. There may also be scope for peer learning � there are now more experiences to share between areas and Local Trust, and partners can now direct areas to things that are working elsewhere. Action Learning Sets for chairs have already worked well, allowing for a level of challenge that is difficult to replicate in a day learning event: `a style of conversation where it is okay to pinpoint the difficult issues. Conversely, some residents � like those involved in gardens in Northfleet - are taking the initiative in sharing their experience and skills around the country because they are excited about promoting their idea and helping other areas. Some partners also wondered whether levels of trust built up within the Programme might provide an opportunity to explore sticky issues � like immigration for example � in ways that wouldnt be available elsewhere.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 41/67 - which are available on the Big Local web…

which are available on the Big Local website, including a booklet, case studies and film clips. As well as training the social investment (SI) reps, Small Change has developed reference and training materials for them to use, drawing, for example, on the thematic events it has run with NANM (Access to Credit; Money Matters, Community Energy and Fuel Poverty) and on SI reps own events and event reports.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 42/67 - have been thinking about how to make the…

have been thinking about how to make the best use of limited resources and have decided to work more intensively with fewer areas:

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 43/67 - Chapter 4: Partnerships

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 44/67 - and data from UnLtd related to partnersh…

and data from UnLtd related to partnerships, looking at how they are structured and who is on them.8

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 45/67 - East Cleveland Villages uses a similar m…

East Cleveland Villages uses a similar model, with two representatives from each of the 12 villages in the Big Local area.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 46/67 - Table 13: Themes of sub-groups detailed …

Table 13: Themes of sub-groups detailed in partnership documentation

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 47/67 - Commissioning models As an alternative t…

Commissioning models As an alternative to the hub and spoke model, a number of Big Local partnerships have adopted a commissioning model. This means that they have chosen to act directly as a grant giving and commissioning body, rather than using sub-groups. In Kingbrook and Cauldwell, for example, the partnership, which is made up of 10 decision makers (of which seven are residents), will:

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 48/67 - largest partnership had 32 members, of w…

largest partnership had 32 members, of which 24 were residents. East Cleveland Villages partnership had 24 members, two from each village. There were 15 Big Local areas with fewer than 11 members, with the smallest partnership having eight members, all of whom were residents. The rep from this area noted the difficulty in recruiting members in the quarterly reports. This also applied to a partnership with nine residents.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 49/67 - Some also have aspirations to constitute…

Some also have aspirations to constitute as an organisation and become the Locally Trusted Organisation. (Q3 Board report).

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 50/67 - This was also identified as a possible t…

This was also identified as a possible theme for a learning event: Establishing and running a legal entity, (CIC, Charity, CIO, etc.) (Q4 Board report) and has appeared as a discussion topic on basecamp in the current year. However, as Local Trust also state in their Board Report, there are a series of questions Big Local partnerships need to address if they take this route:

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 51/67 - sometimes dominated by one or two people…

sometimes dominated by one or two people. Respondents were concerned that formalisation can sometimes concentrate power and could marginalise people who had been involved in the past. They referred to personality clashes, splinter groups and cases where there was `little way of resident-led partnerships being held to account by wider residents.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 52/67 - was vital, we were told, that Big Local …

was vital, we were told, that Big Local avoids partnerships becoming `just another organisation. Delivery should involve `a blend of creativity and doing things and `a process of continuing engagement � and this of course can help to ensure the wider community is involved.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 53/67 - London project, which is operating in se…

London project, which is operating in several Big Local areas, has begun to develop relationships with local partnerships.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 54/67 - Star People and link to the community ch…

Star People and link to the community chest/project initiatives (Rep and worker networking event report).

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 55/67 - `Its almost like something that is slowl…

`Its almost like something that is slowly gathering pace. For example, Ive been introduced to the residents volunteer coordinator whos introduced me to other women, and opportunities have arisen from those relationships.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 56/67 - funnel through which all activity must p…

funnel through which all activity must pass, even when there are problems with inclusivity, could be counterproductive.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 57/67 - Chapter 5: Data and emerging themes

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 58/67 - generally mentioned in brief, if at all.…

generally mentioned in brief, if at all. A further aspect of match, of course, is the input of the resident volunteers at various levels within the Programme locally, which Local Trust might want to consider costing in some way in the future.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 59/67 - something they have learned at the event…

something they have learned at the event, for example. A question about the role the person attending plays in their partnership would help establish who from local areas is accessing this level of support.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 60/67 - partnerships and growing confidence, wit…

partnerships and growing confidence, with local people more likely to initiate their own learning.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 61/67 - Local can leverage resources, interest a…

Local can leverage resources, interest and opportunities into areas from outside the Programme. And Local Trust has emphasised the need to focus on skills training. There is also more scope to use external resources through the marketplace as learning needs change from understanding how the Programme works to managing delivery (alongside an inevitable element of shared experience from going through similar processes). But as this transition occurs, what is it that Big Local support uniquely offers and will continue to offer? What does it mean for areas to be part of Big Local? And will this change in future? Those we interviewed suggested that key elements might be the trust that is established between participants in the Programme through the opportunities for networking provided by learning events and visits, for example, although there may be more scope for regional events. Certainly this has been demonstrated through the action learning sets, which can provide a level of challenge that might not be found elsewhere.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 62/67 - structures change over time to meet diff…

structures change over time to meet different needs. Will this be true at local level? And what will be the implications for inclusivity and leadership? Our interviews and discussions for this review raised concerns about gatekeepers and leadership, insularity on the part of some partnerships and the danger that formalisation would make partnerships risk averse. They emphasised the need for areas to keep refreshing their partnership and engaging the wider community, if partnerships were not to become `just another local organisation and if the aspirations to be resident-led were to extend to all parts of the community.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 63/67 - Local should offer scope for innovation …

Local should offer scope for innovation and that delivery should not be `tunnel vision implementation. They wanted to see scope for `regular reinvigoration through review, evaluation and planning. We have already mentioned the need for innovation in partnership structures. But what will be new and different in local plans? The timescale of the Programme allows for areas to grow in confidence and experiment with new ideas. As the Programme progresses and areas gain in experience will they take the opportunity the timescale offers? Will they be more willing to take risks and will they be open to new ideas? How in particular, will the emphasis on local economies develop? Finally, there is the question of impact, how to measure it and how to support local partnerships in this respect. This is an issue that the external evaluation will begin to address.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 64/67 - Appendix One Data used for the 2013-14 A…

Appendix One Data used for the 2013-14 Annual Learning Report by chapter

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 65/67 - 4. Local Trust � sample of Big Local Pla…

4. Local Trust � sample of Big Local Plans. 5. Local Trust � Local Economy pilot applications. Chapter 3: Access to Learning and Support 1. NANM Spring event report. 2. NANM Learning event reports. 3. Big Local Plans. 4. Renaisi rep and resident networking events reports. 5. UnLtd Initial Observations paper. 6. Rep quarterly reports.

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 66/67 - Appendix Two Data used for the 2013-14 A…

Appendix Two Data used for the 2013-14 Annual Learning Report by source

LT-14-09-Big-Local-Annual-Learning-Review-2013-14.pdf - page 67/67 - CDF � Getting Started wave 3 draft. � Ge…

CDF � Getting Started wave 3 draft. � Getting Started wave 2 report. � Getting People Involved Round 2 report. � Influences on Big Local Areas report. � Dataset of GPI2 and GS survey responses.