BURNLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL REPORT TO THE FULL COUNCIL PORTFOLIO: LEADER EXECUTIVE MEMBER: COUNCILLOR GORDON BIRTWISTLE DATE OF REPORT: 11TH FEBRUARY 2009 1. Progress on Strategic Objectives L1 Strong visible leadership for the Council and the Borough Action Progress L1a: Make a strong contribution to BAP is currently reviewing the progress of all Burnley Action Partnership Working Neighbourhood Fund projects and the becoming more effective and Executive has agreed to use next year's focussed increase to fund projects that support the economy. As part of the recent BAP Review, the Partnership will be holding its first Annual Conference in April. I will arrange for Members of Leadership and Community Scrutiny Committee to be invited. L1b: Play a major role in The Pennine Lancashire Multi-Area Agreement developing Pennine Lancashire was signed off on Monday, 12th January 2009 Leaders & Chief Executives Group in Downing Street, by the Prime Minister. A and... Work Programme on the specific priorities within the Agreement is currently being developed. L1c: Implement actions within the The final councillor call for action statutory Local Government and Public guidance remains outstanding from Involvement in Health Act Government. Once published we will develop plans for implementation. 1 L1d: Continue to ensure Burnley The Pennine Lancashire Housing Strategy will Borough Council influences and shortly be adopted by the Council at its March aligns with regional strategies... Executive. This is important progress that should enable the sub-region to compete strongly for future regional housing resources. Lastly I can report that Burnley hosted a regional meeting of the North West Housing Forum that spent valuable time considering the current housing position in the region and likely responses to be recommended to the Regional Housing Group and the Regional Joint Economic Commission. L2 Developing Opportunities and sustaining ambition of local residents Action Progress L2a: Work with partners to ensure Construction works are progressing well at a successful implementation of number of the BSF sites. As part of the Locality Building Schools for the Future Plan (being developed jointly by the County and programme. Borough Councils) it is proposed to establish a Burnley Schools Challenge Trust. All the Burnley BSF schools and Burnley College are being invited to participate. L2b: Work with partners to deliver a Thinking Places are the Consultants we have communication programme to appointed to work with the Council and its promote changing face of Burnley... partners on producing a Branding Strategy for Burnley. This is a key piece of work for the Borough's Economic Vision and the Community Strategy recommendations are due to be developed for consideration by the end of March this year. To be successful it is important that this work is widely discussed and developed and I will ensure that in due course full Member briefing are made available. L3 Social and community cohesion, engagement & communication are at the heart of the Council's plans Action Progress L3b: Continue to develop The Burnley Good Relations Programme is programme of capacity building & currently working on two cases to positively mediation training for community address relevant community issues, and will be leaders offering further training opportunities and is working with Elevate on setting up a related programme in Blackburn. 2 L4d Improved services to the homeless & other vulnerable groups in the community Action Progress L4d: Support Lancashire County Lancashire County Council has now completed Council in implementing Lancashire mapping out what services within LCC are Strategy for an Ageing Population currently doing to meet the ageing population agenda. This will now be combined with the similar work that has already been undertaken by this Council to start to create a multi-agency plan. In addition, the Council is working with Calico and LCC in the development of the new Help Direct service. 3.