APPENDIX B

Gipton and South INM Cluster – Case Studies

GIPTON ACCESS POINT (GAP CENTRE)

During 2006/07 the former South Gipton Housing Office on Coldcotes Drive was refurbished and opened as a community venue and “gateway” offering information, advice and guidance on employment and training opportunities. The venue is known as the Gipton Access Point (GAP). The project has been developed through the East Economy Partnership, Worklessness sub group.

Development of the venue has continued in 2007/08 with the support of SSCF, and the Building Family Wealth Project. BFW, amongst other partners, refer clients to GAP, and the venue is open as a drop in facility for all members of the community to access. Numerous activities are delivered from GAP including Job shops and ICT courses.

The job shops deal with unemployed clients only who need assistance with job search, CV's, application forms and job related subjects such as interview skills. Some of these activities are by appointment only. GAP also offers Intervention, advice and guidance sessions for unemployed people who need direction with future careers. GAP deliver in partnership with Learning Zone and Thomas Danby short course and taster programmes based around basic IT and administration skills.

As part of the Jobs and Skills programmes, GAP refers customers onto short focus training and work placements with partners such as the NHS Employability programme and any other programmes such as the recent recruitment drive for the Contact Leeds call centre programme.

Since opening in July 2007 over 750 people have accessed the centre.

Dog Warden Service

Following a successful pilot during the latter part of 2006/07, and resident concern around dog issues highlighted through the annual household surveys, SSCF has funded the dog warden service to work intensively in the areas of Gipton & South Seacroft for two full days per week.

Normal core service is provided alongside this intensive work. The dog warden works pro-actively and re-actively tackling issues relating to stray and roaming dogs, dangerous dogs, and dog fouling.

By working one full day in Gipton and one full day in Seacroft the warden is able to form productive relationships with partners in the area, and with local residents. The warden has built up a portfolio of intelligence enabling her to target areas of greatest need and react swiftly when problems occur.

The warden holds regular micro- chipping ‘events’, where local residents can have their dogs permanently identified using a microchip, for free. This would normally cost around £25 to have done at the vets. The events also provide opportunity for residents to seek advise regarding dog related issues.

This financial year the warden has microchipped 83 dogs in the INM area, and given out over 80 neutering vouchers which enable dog owners to have their dogs neutered for free. 94 stray dogs have been removed from the streets, and over 300 dog owners have received face to face advice on responsible dog ownership. Enforcement activities have included the issuing of 12 fixed penalty notices for dog fouling, with three cases being brought to court, and the dog owners have received fines averaging £400 each.

Community Payback Scheme

Following a successful pilot during 2006/07, a partnership has continued between ELAM and West Probation service.

The Probation service provides a ‘community payback’ team, a dedicated workforce of probationers to fill the gaps in existing community services, and to provide additional and swift resource in response to community and environmental priorities.

The team are tasked through partners including Police, the ALMO, West Yorkshire Fire Service, Community groups and voluntary organisations, and carry out projects including community clean ups, litter picking, hedge and grass cutting, and painting.

From April to September the service provided over 1,820 man hours of work on Community Projects. As a value for money comparison (calculated using the minimum wage of £5.50 per hour) these hours would cost over £10,000k.