Our Civic Community Charter:

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1 Our Civic Community Charter: Supporting the creation of the Big Society across Westminster civic community

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3 3 Foreword A year ago, we set out the guiding principles of the Civic Community in Westminster. We said we want to use the opportunities afforded by the Government s Big Society and localism agendas to increase democratic participation, reward responsibility and give every citizen, employee and employer in Westminster a greater say in the future of the city. Of course, we recognise that many of the principles underpinning the Civic Community are not new. Here in Westminster we are incredibly lucky to have a thriving voluntary and community sector. This Charter will build on these foundations, helping the local voluntary sector to thrive, involving a wider array of people and groups in decision-making processes and delivering real improvements to the lives of Westminster residents. The Civic Community is not about the council. We have a role to play in enabling and supporting but ultimately it is for the individuals and organisations in the local community to grasp the opportunity to do more. In this document, we have attempted to build on our initial principles and outline our 10 commitments to the community. We want to be accountable for these commitments and will report on our progress against all of the objectives at regular intervals. Our role as a council is not to hand over responsibility and then leave communities to get on with it. Instead, we want to help facilitate the workings of the Civic Community and ensure that residents, businesses and community groups are informed about opportunities and equipped to take on new powers. The Government s Localism Bill will, when enacted, give citizens unprecedented opportunities to get involved in their communities and improve their villages, towns and cities. We want Westminster to be the most empowering, localist local authority in the country. Our objectives are bold but our commitment to these aims will be uncompromising. Cllr Brian Connell Cabinet Member for Enterprise and Volunteering Westminster City Council

4 4 Summary 1 Building a community map We will build a community map so residents can see what Civic Community events are going on in their neighbourhood and where their nearest volunteering opportunities are. 2 Establishing a dedicated delivery team We will establish a specialist team of officers to deliver our vision for a thriving Civic Community and actively break down the barriers in the way so residents and community groups can obtain advice on the use of powers to take over the running of local services and we can help to break down the barriers that prevent the Civic Community from thriving in the city. 3 Putting budgets in the hands of the community We will devolve budgets to communities so members of the community can vote on how they want their money to be spent. 4 Establish a small grants pot We will establish a Civic Community Grants pot worth 100,000 so community groups can continue to make a contribution to the Civic Community in Westminster, regardless of size or status. 5 Investing in voluntary and community sector infrastructure We will invest at least 200,000 during 2011/12 in the voluntary sector infrastructure in Westminster so voluntary groups can receive the support necessary to get on and do what they do best: enriching the lives of Westminster residents. 6 Begin moving service delivery into the hands of the community We will help residents to take responsibility for running services in their areas so communities can be involved in every aspect of the services that are funded by them and used by them. 7 Recognise the contribution of people who make Westminster a better place to live and work We will recognise the contribution of those who help to make the Civic Community a reality in Westminster so that community-minded people can have their efforts rewarded, allowing the community as a whole to pay tribute to local heroes.

5 5 8 Demonstrate leadership by promoting opportunities for staff to make handson contributions to the community We will encourage all council employees to take up community contribution activities in Westminster so voluntary groups can benefit from the skills and energies of council officers whilst allowing staff to gain even better knowledge of the area and residents they serve. 9 Promote options for Westminster s 33,000 businesses to make a bigger contribution to the community through local Corporate Social Responsibility schemes We will work with businesses and offer our collective skill and knowledge to connect them with opportunities to support the local community, develop Corporate Social Responsibility policies and help discharge those responsibilities in their local area so the business community can become more active in the local community and make a bigger contribution to the area. 10 Support businesses to take on more responsibility for services in their area We will give local businesses and BIDs the chance to take on greater responsibility for local services so the business community can have a real say in local service delivery and support the council in achieving efficiencies while ensuring residents and others receive value for money.

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7 7 10 steps towards a stronger Civic Community 1 Building a community map Westminster s residents are community-minded and enthusiastic about getting involved with voluntary groups in their neighbourhoods. But they often report that it s difficult to find out what s going on and how to get involved. Through our voluntary sector partners, Voluntary Action Westminster, Volunteer Centre and others, Westminster City Council already provides excellent brokerage and support services but we could do more to connect people with opportunities in their neighbourhoods. To demonstrate the large number of civic opportunities within Westminster, the council will map out the community events and the volunteering options in the area. This will be the first map of its kind in the country and give voluntary organisations the chance to promote themselves to potential volunteers so that, together, we can expand on the 10,000 residents who already give their time to good causes in the city. Eventually, the map will display opportunities grouped by themes and by whether the activities are group-based or individual. Westminster s library service already benefits from an army of dedicated volunteers. In 2010/11, 217 volunteers gave 10,004 hours of their time to ensuring the service runs as smoothly as possible. Opportunities like this will be displayed on the new community map but we will also begin a review of the volunteering opportunities available across all of the many public services the council provides. Where appropriate, volunteers will be able to see at the click of a mouse how to give their time to make Westminster a better place to live and work in. We will build a community map...so residents can see what Civic Community events are going on in their neighbourhood and where their nearest volunteering opportunities are. 2 Establishing a dedicated delivery team The council is changing the way it works to reflect the new financial realities and to take advantage of the Coalition Government s emphasis on devolving responsibilities. As more powers move from Whitehall to City Hall, it is our intention to empower communities in turn. That will be the focus for our new Civic Community Team. Building on the successes of the delivery of ward budgets, the new officer team will: Provide a barrier busting service, as we know bureaucracy can get in the way of local volunteering and we want to put a stop to this. Offer advice to voluntary groups, volunteers and businesses who want to help improve their local area either through traditional engagement or by taking over the management of local budgets or services. The new freedoms in the Localism Bill will provide new chances for local people to get involved in decisions affecting their local area. This new team will provide advice and support as to how these new powers can be used. We will establish a specialist team of officers to deliver our vision for a thriving Civic Community and actively break down the barriers in the way...so residents and community groups can obtain advice on the use of powers to take over the running of local services and we can help to break down the barriers that prevent the Civic Community from thriving in the city. Target date for completion: August 2011 Target date for completion: July 2011

8 8 10 steps towards a stronger Civic Community 3 Putting budgets into the hands of the community Westminster has pioneered locality-based budgeting which has seen local ward councillors given the freedom to commission projects and services at the most local level possible. Since the scheme began in 2008, the council has funded more than 500 projects which have made a real difference to communities and their neighbourhoods. The next phase of localising budgets will see the council develop an innovative new form of participatory budgeting. In response to the new opportunities for communities arising from the Localism Bill, Westminster will begin a review of the governance arrangements which would allow for services to be devolved in accordance with the wishes of new neighbourhood forums. As part of this process, we will seek out pilots for participatory budgeting. This would see public money move closer still to the community with residents actually empowered to vote on projects based on priorities decided by the elected ward members for the area. Devolving budgets will give communities the chance to make their priorities known and give individuals a bigger stake in their neighbourhood and its future. We will explore options for devolving budgets to communities 4 Establishing a Civic Community grants pot The voluntary sector is dominated by very small organisations which, without financial support from the public sector, might struggle to exist. It can often be cost-effective for public bodies to provide small grants to community organisations which provide excellent services for groups of residents. Despite the extremely difficult financial outlook, the council wants to demonstrate its commitment to the local voluntary sector and help provide the resources which will help sustain these organisations and achieve value for money by having an impact at the most local level possible. To help the sector to flourish we have set aside 100,000 for groups that help meet the collective goals of the Civic Community. In 2012, Civic Community grants of up to 5,000 will be available to voluntary and community groups. The exact priorities for the fund will be announced nearer the time. We will establish a Civic Community Grants pot of 100,000 in 2011/12... so community groups can continue to make a contribution to the Civic Community in Westminster, regardless of size or status. Target date for completion: March so members of the community can vote on how they want their money to be spent. Target date for completion: March 2012

9 9 10 steps towards a stronger Civic Community 5 Investing in voluntary and community sector infrastructure Westminster s residents are community-spirited and often eager to make a difference to their neighbourhoods. However, channelling the positive energies of volunteers in Westminster is not always easy. The diversity of communities and talents in the area provide strong foundations for a thriving Civic Community in Westminster but also presents a serious challenge. To make the best possible use of these invaluable resources, Westminster City Council will invest 200,000 in voluntary and community sector support services. Provided by the sector, for the sector, these services will help ensure that community-based organisations receive the logistical and management support to help deliver the vision of a Civic Community in Westminster. A vision of the Big Society or Civic Community is one thing, but without the infrastructure the nuts and bolts it will be difficult to realise. Community groups are set up with the best intentions and are able to tap into the energies of volunteers but can suffer from a lack of access to relevant support services, such as legal administration, financial planning and staff training. By linking organisations together, local charities benefit from economies of scale. This can only be done through an overarching framework that supports all 600 local charities and voluntary groups. We will invest at least 200,000 during 2011/12 in the voluntary sector infrastructure in Westminster...so voluntary groups can receive the support necessary to get on and do what they do best: enriching the lives of Westminster residents. 6 Begin the process of moving services into community management At the heart of our vision for the Civic Community in Westminster is the belief that communities and neighbourhoods must be empowered. They should be empowered with information to enable them to make informed decisions and choices, and be empowered to play an active part in the running and delivery of public services in order to change their communities and deliver a localised service. The Localism Bill will give communities new powers to seize control of assets and important local services. In Westminster, the council views this as an opportunity rather than a threat. We wholeheartedly support the principle of allowing community groups to run services and will actively support them in doing so, dependent on a strong and coherent plan. The Civic Community provides the opportunity to fundamentally redress the balance of the state and society. In the coming year, we will actively seek to transfer powers, services or responsibilities to the most appropriate group in the voluntary sector or elsewhere, as long as it can be shown that the service, activity or function can be delivered more effectively, or more cheaply than by the apparatus of the council. We will help residents to take responsibility for running services in their areas...so communities can be involved in every aspect of the services that are funded by them and used by them. Target date for completion: March 2012 Target date for completion: September 2011

10 10 10 steps towards a stronger Civic Community 7 Recognise the contribution of people who make Westminster a better place to live and work Much of the hard work carried out by volunteers and community leaders in Westminster is done without thanks or outward displays of appreciation. Often this is because the benefits are diffused across the whole community or pockets within neighbourhoods and, at other times, because these tireless efforts are conducted behind the scenes and without any fanfare. It is right that altruistic activities are carried out not for personal credit but for the good of the wider community. As a council, however, we wish to pay tribute to the people who work so hard to make our community stronger and more cohesive. For that reason we will host an awards ceremony to recognise and celebrate the commitment of volunteers and community activists in Westminster. We will recognise the contribution of those who help to make the Civic Community a reality in Westminster...so that community-minded people can have their efforts rewarded, allowing the community as a whole to pay tribute to local heroes. Target date for completion: March Demonstrate leadership by encouraging council staff to make a hands-on contribution to the community Our vision for the Civic Community in Westminster can only be realised with the support of Westminster s army of volunteers. As a major employer of people in the city, the council has a responsibility to set an example. Through the council s employer supported community contribution scheme, more than 90 projects and activities have been assisted over the last year. In addition, since 2009, an extra nine councillors have become school governors, bringing the overall total to fifteen. The council s volunteering policy states that subject to management sign-off, each employee is entitled to request time within their usual working hours to complete up to 16 hours of community contribution activities throughout the year. We will encourage all employees to take up community contribution activities in Westminster...so voluntary groups can benefit from the skills and energies of council officers whilst allowing staff to gain even better knowledge of the area and residents they serve. Target date for completion: November 2011

11 11 10 steps towards a stronger Civic Community 9 Promote options for Westminster s 33,000 businesses to make a bigger contribution to the community through local Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) schemes In Westminster we have more than 33,000 businesses and we are lucky enough to host the headquarters of some nationally and internationally renowned companies. The role of business in the Civic Community is often overlooked, to the detriment of society as a whole. Westminster already has over 2,000 businesses giving back to the community through Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). These BIDs contribute approximately 5.5 million per annum in additional investment in the area, over and above the services provided by the council, as well as generating a further collective commercial income of 2.4 million which is then ploughed back into enhancing the local area. We want businesses to do more. Whether this be becoming more volunteer-friendly, encouraging volunteering amongst their employees or linking their CSR spend to the local area, there is much businesses can do to support the development of a thriving Civic Community across Westminster. Our new Civic Community Team will have the skills and local knowledge necessary to support the CSR policies of the private sector and be able to match local businesses with opportunities as well as local group options which will provide interesting and original team building activities. We will work with businesses and offer our collective skill and knowledge to connect them with opportunities to support the local community, develop corporate social responsibility policies and help discharge those responsibilities in their local areas......so the business community can become more active in the local community and make a bigger contribution to the area. Target date for completion: January 2012

12 12 10 steps towards a stronger Civic Community 10 Support businesses to take on more responsibility for services in their area Local businesses have a stake in their communities, just as residents and others do. Ensuring that the commercial environment is safe and attractive is to the benefit of the whole community. Combined with an inherently commercial mindset, the result of local firms taking on greater responsibilities for the delivery of services can be greater efficiency and better results. Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) have taken the lead and already act as a point of contact and provider of Civic Community-type services. Some BIDs around the country have already taken on such service delivery functions, by actually taking over the running of council services or by being commissioned to do so. They have assumed responsibility for services such as cleansing and waste management, marketing and events, destination management, market inspections, policing of street entertainment and asset management. These experiences have proven positive for all parties, with costs to the taxpayer reduced through efficiencies and commercial-mindedness. In Westminster we cannot give BIDs preferential treatment but any BID, or other business, that wishes to explore these opportunities will receive the support of the council in understanding all elements of the process and the service. We will give local businesses and BIDs the chance to take on greater responsibility for local services...so the business community can have a real say in local service delivery and support the council in achieving efficiencies while ensuring residents and others receive value for money. Target date for completion: February 2012

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14 14 What next? Help us to make the Civic Community a reality in Westminster For volunteers Find out what s going on in your area by visiting the Westminster Community Map website: Register for volunteering opportunities by visiting the Volunteer Centre Westminster website: For community groups Register your activities on the Westminster Community Map so that volunteers and interested residents can find out what is going on in the area. If you would like support in strengthening your organisation, contact Voluntary Action Westminster: general@vawcvs.org If you would like volunteering support, visit the Volunteer Centre Westminster website: or call For businesses To do more in your local area, sponsor community projects or find out about local corporate social responsibility opportunities, contact Westminster s Civic Community Team: Civic Community Team Strategy Unit Westminster City Council City Hall 64 Victoria Street London SW1E 6QP civiccommunity@westminster.gov.uk Find out what you and your employees can do to get involved by visiting the Westminster Community Map website: If you would like support in organising volunteering activities for staff, visit the Volunteer Centre Westminster website:

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16 Westminster City Council Westminster City Hall 64 Victoria Street London SW1E 6QP westminster.gov.uk