Brentwood Local Strategic Partnership

With a total population 70,900, people from all BME groups make up 7.33% of Brentwood residents, which is slightly higher than the percentage in Essex (5.5%) but significantly lower than the England percentage (13.01%). Older age groups will see the largest proportional increases; the 65-84 year age group is predicted to grow by 7.2% and the 85+ group by 15.8% between 2007 and 2012. For Essex migrant registrations, May 04 to June 07 – Brentwood is the fourth lowest District in terms of numbers.

Half of the resident workforce commutes out of the Borough to work; Greater London is the main draw, accounting for almost two-fifths of resident workers. The other most frequent destinations are Basildon and Chelmsford. Also there are large movements of workers into Brentwood, particularly from the neighbouring districts of Havering, Basildon and Chelmsford.

In terms of employment structure, Brentwood is strong in financial and business services mainly located in the Brentwood Town Centre, the Brentwood Station area and the Warley Business Park. There are seven industrial estates and numerous other smaller enterprises scattered throughout the Borough. Firms in Mid Essex show average productivity for the UK as a whole, but as part of the London Arc, companies are 8% more productive than might otherwise be expected. Brentwood firms are the most productive in Mid Essex.

The level of unemployment is very low and consistently the second lowest in Essex Unemployment levels have declined progressively since the early 1990s to just over 1%, around 400 persons.

In 2009 Brentwood was ranked 2nd of the 12 Essex districts for secondary school children achieving 5 or more grades A*-C at GCSE7 and 10th amongst its 15 statistical neighbours. In 2009 72.2% of pupils achieved 5 or more grades A*-C. The Essex average was 68.2% and the national average was 70.0%.. The majority of year 11 leavers in Brentwood choose to stay in education, significantly more than Essex as a whole, 85% to 74%. Overall Brentwood residents are more likely to have qualifications than their Essex counterparts, particularly at the NVQ 4/5 Level, they are also less likely to have no qualifications. Most learning undertaken is job related, with 74% of learners in Brentwood undertaking training for job related reasons. This is lower than the Essex average, though Brentwood residents are more likely to undertake learning for personal interest or development.

The Borough of Brentwood is situated in the south-west of Essex and has a total area of 15,315 hectares. There are 3,000 acres (about 1,215 hectares) of woodland, country parks, a large amount of farmland and a number of villages. The borough is also just 18 miles from London.

Major communication routes include the M25 Motorway, A12 and A127 all within the borough, Fast rail links with London and East Anglia and Stansted, City and Southend airports are all 30 to 40 minutes' drive away. The Dartford Tunnel/Queen Elizabeth II Bridge and Tilbury Docks are also within easy reach.

Much of the older housing has been renovated and there are very few areas of poor quality housing in the Borough, although there is a need for more low cost, affordable housing. However 80% of Brentwood's housing is owner-occupied.

The Brentwood Town Centre Renaissance initiative has been set to establish and promote the broader vision for the town centre. The high street improvement scheme will enhance the High Street visually and for its users. The Baytree Centre refurbishment, combined with the mixed retail/recreational redevelopment of William Hunter Way, are further evidence of the changing environment in the town centre for the benefit of local people and businesses.

All of this investment provides an opportunity to create a new broader vision for the town centre by working with the community to enhance the quality of the town centre environment, particularly the quality of public space, shop fronts, signage and lighting that will enable the town to work more successfully.

80 Brentwood residents attended the first two meetings of the new Citizens’ Panel on Monday 14th July 2008 to discuss a variety of topics affecting the Borough. Many people also viewed the meetings live on the internet and posed questions to the Panel live via email. A Citizens’ Panel newsletter will keep residents informed of the progress of matters raised at the Panel. It will also be an opportunity for residents to forward comments, suggestions and questions. The next Panel took place on Wednesday 15th October. http://www.brentwood.gov.uk/index.php?cid=1230

Individual Resident Association Meetings are held to increase participation in housing management in local areas including contributions to environmental improvements

Neighbourhood Action Panels (NAP) have been established consisting of people living and working in a neighbourhood or provides a service to the local community in partnership with the police. NAP agree community priorities and decide upon realistic and achievable course of action to deliver results. There are four geographical action groups:

1. Brentwood North
2. Hutton & Shenfield
3. Town Centre
4. Brentwood South

The agenda for each centres around three issues – namely, core crime, anti social behaviour and community reassurance.

On February 2010 Essex Police Authority in conjunction with the Brentwood Community Safety Partnership hosted a public meeting 'Face the Public' at Bishops Hall Park Community Centre, Pilgrims Hatch, Brentwood. Residents were invited to attend to discuss face to face with partners of the Community Safety partnership any Safety issues in their area. The main issues raised by residents was a need for better communication at a local level, whilst residents recognised the good work being carried out they felt it was not being communicated effectively.

In June 2008, Members agreed that a formal agreement be drawn up to establish a Joint Committee to manage and operate the country parks and natural open spaces owned by Essex County Council and Brentwood Borough Council. This means decision making powers over Thorndon and Weald country parks are set to change allowing more of a local say over how the parks are managed.

The joint management of the parks will see the Councils working more closely through a Member panel, comprising a majority representation of Members from Brentwood Council, who will agree all decisions on the future development of the parks. The panel will be looking at areas where the two Councils can work together to find ways of developing the parks for the benefit of Brentwood and Essex residents. This will bring efficiencies and synergies and ensure that the parks are developed in line with local preferences.

Brentwood residents will be the first in Essex to influence spending on local highway matters in a major new initiative arising out of the unique Brentwood Borough Council and Essex County Council Partnership.

For the first time, residents of Brentwood will now have far greater say over a whole range of initiatives to improve their highway environment, from junction improvements and new cycle paths to highway tree and verge maintenance. Other schemes could include replacing paving, installing new street furniture, clearing weeds and overgrowth and repairing potholes. On top of the £2 million budget, the initiative will also include the appointment of a local Highways Liaison Officer and Highways Rangers, Highways Surgeries will be set up and a special grant fund for community highway improvement schemes will be established: The Community Initiative Fund.

Highways Rangers deliver immediate improvements to the road and path network in Brentwood. They are out and about around Brentwood on a daily basis. This team will work closely with the Street Scene staff to offer a joined up service to local communities. The consultation process will include:

• A survey in Vision magazine
• An online survey
• A postal survey to randomly selected addresses within Brentwood
• A ‘face to face’ quota survey at specified locations including Shenfield Station, Brentwood Station and door to door
• Brentwood’s new Citizens' Panel will contribute their views at quarterly meetings
• New Highways Surgeries

The findings of the research will be submitted to a local Highways Panel who will determine locally, which projects are to be progressed.

Other Partnerships existing in the borough include the Brentwood Access group; Brentwood Council for Voluntary Service; Citizens Advice Bureau; Refuge Essex; Brentwood Town Centre Renaissance Group; Brentwood Community Transport; Anchor Staying Put and the Pilgrims Hatch Partnership

In addition, Brentwood Borough Council engages with the local community through a variety of communications methods including:

• Regular liaison meetings with Parish Councils
• Regular business conferences and exhibitions
• ‘Vision’ and ‘Vision for Business’, the quarterly magazines for residents and businesses respectively, providing a variety of information, views and local contributions
• The Council website provides instant access to a wealth of information, documents and contacts as well as inviting comments
• Residents’ satisfaction surveys are undertaken by a number of the Council’s service departments including Benefits, Housing and Planning Services to investigate local opinion
• Brentwood Youth Arts Partnership delivers projects for young people
• Brentwood Youth Council meets bi-monthly at the Town Hall to discuss a range of issues
• The Council plays an active role in the Essex Benefit Network, raising awareness of benefits, social inclusion, independence and choice for service users within Essex
• Regular meetings with Housing Associations, Citizens Advice Bureau and voluntary groups to promote positive working relationships and encourage feedback from all service users
• Housing Tenant Groups meet Members and Officers on a regular basis
• Regular consultations are also undertaken which include Planning Focus Groups and Environmental Health, Waste and Housing Benefit surveys to gauge users’ views
• Stakeholder conferences are held on major issues affecting Brentwood such as Town Centre redevelopments, highway improvements, public transport and concessionary travel etc
• The Council holds regular meetings with interest groups including sports, arts, churches, emergency service and businesses
• Consultation on documents involving the public, stakeholders and others in the preparation of the new Local Development Framework
• Recent consultations were also undertaken on the opening times of the skate park at King George’s Playing Fields and the proposed new play area and games court at Hutton Recreation Ground

South West Essex PCT conducted two consultations in 2008:

• Voices of Older People – Working together in South West Essex to improve older peoples Health Service (April 2008)
• Neurological Services in South West Essex (November 2008)

Information available to the LSP to identify needs, priorities and help set targets include the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment; Local Development Framework; Local Area Agreement performance information; Council website including facts and figures on Brentwood Borough; Brentwood Borough Council Self Assessment; Brentwood area profile (Learning and Skills Council 2004); Essex Local Needs Assessment (Learning and Skills Council 2007); Place Survey (BMG Research 2008); NHS Health Profile 2008; CDRP strategic Assessment & Partnership Plan 2008-2011; Use of Mosiac – helping to identify specific community groups. For example, to identify where a group underused a service provided by Brentwood Borough Council, which helps to shape future service developments and finally Residents Satisfaction surveys Brentwood Borough Council also plans to develop data warehouse and to enable the use information more proficiently; and the District Profile - these have been commissioned for each of the Essex Districts to inform the Integrated County Strategy and are an independent assessment of local

Cross party representation in the LSP Steering group. Chair was the leader of Brentwood BC. Sub groups all have member representation. Views of the local people are developed through the members of the local council via the LSP.

Brentwood has one of the longest life expectancy in Essex (over 80 Years).  The LSP has delivered a number of projects and initiatives to create opportunities for older residents to stay active:

• Brentwood Leisure Centre has provided free provision for swimming for the over 60's.
• Tea Dances - the first event held on the 22nd October 2009 had 40 people attend. the second held on 11th February 2010 had over 70 attend. These events have been set up to increase activity for the over 60's, promoted to sheltered homes and local residents. the events are being supported by a number of organisations including: Brentwood Community Transport, Anchor Staying Put, Essex Road Safety, SW Essex Links, Brentwood Leisure Trust, Alzheimers Association, and the U3A.

Brentwood’s estimated obesity rate of 20.4% is the lowest in Essex.  Healthy living and eating is promoted in the Crown Café supported by a Frontlines Inclusion Facilitator.

9.6% (third highest in Essex) of reception age children and 14.5% of year 6 pupils are obese.

• Brentwood Health Week 27^th June -3^rd July 2009 is a scheme to target local schools businesses and residents.
• The LSP and the PCT have joint funded the recruitment of a Health Promotion Officer which has led to the development and delivery of a range of successful projects.
• Targeted Healthy Living Campaign for Year 6 pupils (with links to parents) – the programme will include advice and information on exercise, diet, healthy lifestyles. 'Healthy Nation Stations' provided 550 year 6 pupils with information on physical wellbeing, food label information and a goodie bag to promote and increase healthy eating awareness.
• Part of the Healthy Living Campaign initiative saw the 'Golden Spoon' play delivered to primary schools across Brentwood. The play increases healthy eating awareness, it specifically targeted year 4 pupils as an early intervention tool to reduce year 6 obesity levels. Following its success, it has now been extended to include the whole PCT area beyond Brentwood, delivered by SWE PCT.
• LSP Funded Project - Bodycare Programme (February 2010 – July 2011): Due to LSP funding the Bodycare project has been revived in Brentwood, it had previously run in schools throughout Essex. The aim of the project is to reduce obesity in year 6 students by increasing awareness of health issues, involving the student’s parents and educating the family on healthy lifestyles. The programme is a 6 week course based in primary schools with an hour long session each week, divided into thirty minutes of classroom based education and thirty minutes exercise based learning. The sessions cover healthy diets, exercise, food label information and how the body works. Chelsea FC in the community are working in partnership with Brentwood Borough Council to deliver the course.
• In Brentwood exercise levels are better than average.  The percent of the population doing at least 3 days a week x 30 minutes moderate participation (all adults) in 2005/06, was the third highest in the County and above regional and national averages

Brentwood LSP is planning to direct significant PRG into increasing participation in sport. This investment will focus on older people, those with disabilities, cycling, those at risk of offending, and other hard to reach groups. This investment will transform sports engagement in the area.

Brentwood Borough Council’s Chill-out holiday scheme projects are to include:

• Family Fun Day
• Fit 4 Fun
• Walk Scheme
• Traditional Sports day
• Trail Net
• Active Living Day
• Older Peoples Event

Brentwood Borough Council and the hospital jointly organised an event in October 2009 to promote healthy lifestyles and to encourage a preventative approach to illness and injury.  Eighteen organisations took part, including Brentwood Leisure Trust, Essex Country Parks, the Alzheimer’s Association and Chelsea Community Football Club.  Participants were given stress patches to check if they are affected by work or family pressures, while medical staff measured blood glucose levels and took blood pressures.  Advice was provided on the prevention of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, mobility problems and high blood pressure.  Over 100 Brentwood residents attended the fair and had the opportunity to join guided tours of the hospital.  Managers at the hospital, which has been open for just over one year, said they were delighted with the turnout and the interest taken in the event.

The Essex model-based estimate of smoking, 2003-05 showed that Brentwood had the lowest level in the County and well below the national and regional averages.  Brentwood has the lowest prevalence of smoking in Essex and at 17.8% is significantly below the England average.  A smoking cessation drop in clinic has been set up at the Brentwood Leisure Centre.  The scheme has been awarded PRG funding.

Brentwood has one of the lowest rates of teenage conception in the County.  The rate also fell dramatically between 1998 and 2005.  For further information about actions addressing teenage conception and sexually transmitted diseases please see the Hermit and Brentwood Community Hospital case studies.

A Chlamydia screening event took place during 'Sexual Health Week' 14th-20th September 2009 to raise sexual health awareness and to promote locally available services. Working with local nightclub ‘Eclipse’, over two evenings the over 300 people engaged with the sexual health team, 25 were tested for Chlamydia and 600 goody bags containing information and advice were distributed. Success of the event lead to £500 funding from the Teenage Pregnancy Local Implementation Fund and a repeat event was held over the 2009 Christmas period. The event is now run regularly over high risk periods i.e. Christmas, Valentines Day, Summer Holidays.  

Brentwood’s population of those aged 85+ is expected to increase by 15.8% between 2007-12.

Initiatives in hand to support vulnerable people to achieve independent living include:

• An Older Peoples Workshop was held including officers from both Brentwood Borough Council and Essex County Council as part of the project on joint planning, policy development and service delivery on social care in Brentwood.
• Brentwood Staying-Put is the Home Improvement Agency which has been established for over 10 years and is part of the Anchor Trust Scheme.  The scheme was originally introduced to help the most vulnerable members of the community to access Brentwood Borough Council and national grants to carry out disabled adaptions, and necessary repairs and improvements to their property. 
• As part of Brentwood Staying Put, the Brentwood Gardening Project and the Brentwood Small Repairs Services have been launched. These services provide graden maintenance and minor repair jobs about the house respectively to elderly residents who are unable to cope without support.  
• Brentwood Community Transport is a partnership between Brentwood Borough Council, Essex County Council and Brentwood CVS. Community transport exists to provide accessible transport to those people who are unable to use transport already in place, through physical disability or isolation.
• A number of Community Transport Buses, driven by trained volunteer drivers, are available for hire.  There is also a thriving Social Car Scheme available whereby volunteer drivers use their own cars to deliver essential journeys to people who are unable to access certain types of travel. 
• PRG Project: A Warm Homes Officer is now employed after revenue support for the role was secured. The role is managed and housed within the enhanced staying-put scheme.  The client groups are coincident so there is good synergy in the addition of this service to the existing core project.  The warm homes officer approaches vulnerable resident’s households directly, identifies insulation and heating issues and then explains the possible ways of rectifying the issues.  At the same time the officer offers a benefit check.
• PRG funded project: Two part-time (15 & 25 hour) mini-bus driver employed for Community Transport Service. Available Wednesday – Friday, has now been expanded to include 3 routes.   
• Brentwood Borough Council Parkmobility – Weald County Park, Thordon County Park and King George’s Playing Fields all provide electric scooters for immobile residents who wish to use the facilities.
• Brentwood Borough Council: Shopmobility – Brentwood Town Centre’s multi-storey car park provides 7 electric scooters and 2 manual wheelchairs for immobile residents to go shopping. Free for users to join and staff provides demos on how to use the scooters. Available Monday – Saturday, 8-6.
• In 2008 a Telecare system was put in place via a joint project with the Older People’s mental health team. Currently there were just over 100 Telecare users. Telecare is a system that worked through sensors in the users home which were triggered by movement.  If an unusual pattern was occurring in the user’s home, a control centre would be notified.  This provided a less intrusive type of support and encouraged independent living. Building on the Telecare system, Brentwood Borough Council operates a Lifeline scheme which, in case of a fall or ther emergency, even in the event of finding an intruder, the touch of a button or pull of a cord connects to a 24 hour emergency communications centre where the call for help is immediately dealt with. There is no need to talk to an operator, as they will know the address where the call was made.

To protect vulnerable children at risk of abuse or neglect the under 11s subgroup will prioritise the provision of counselling for 5-14 year olds which is currently only available to 14 years onwards. 

Brentwood has one of the lowest demands for social housing of all districts in Essex. However,  a gap in housing provision for young parents in the Borough had been highlighted and along with Epping Forest and Uttlesford District Councils the Young Parents Supported Housing Project had been started that will provide 12 units of accommodation.

A high proportion of Brentwood residents own their own homes: 80% compared to 75% in Essex and 69% across England. The average house price in Brentwood is over £100,000 more than the England average and the second highest in Essex.  In November 2007 the Choice Based Lettings system went live. The system enables residents on the waiting list for Council and Housing Association properties to express interest in properties that become available. To enable the move towards Choice Based Lettings from the traditional allocation system, Brentwood Borough Council joined with the London Commuter Belt Sub Region consortium (LCBSER) to bid for funding to the Government to develop the scheme.

Brentwood Borough Council holds a housing forum annually to inform the revision of the housing strategy.

Brentwood has slightly above average level of homelessness – 3.72 per 1,000.  Gaps in service provision in relation to homelessness were identified via the Essex Homelessness Officers Group, and Children’s Services, Connexions and the Young Peoples Counselling Service.  A set of protocols was developed by the Essex Homeless Officers Group and the County Safeguarding Children Board.  All service providers are to hold a copy so that referrals will not be held up in the system.

The intention is to develop the prevention approach further and review temporary accommodation provision, consequently a working group has been established.

 In 2009 Brentwood was ranked 2nd of the 12 Essex districts for secondary school children achieving 5 or more grades A*-C at GCSE7 and 10th amongst its 15 statistical neighbours. In 2009 72.2% of pupils achieved 5 or more grades A*-C. The Essex average was 68.2% and the national average was 70.0%. Brentwood has a lower than average rate (3.6 per 1,000 pop.) on ECC learning disabilities register.  An action plan being developed by the CYPSP based on LAA2 and Children and Young People’s Plan to establish where needs within the borough are.

In March 2010, Brentwood had the 6th lowest rate of children NEET in Essex; 4.7%, compared to an Essex average of just over 7%8. Brentwood’s average rate for the year 2008-9 was 5.4%; 5th lowest in Essex, and below both the County and national averages.

The Government funded a January Guarantee (an extension of the usual September Guarantee where every young person leaving school should have an offer of training) for those young people NEET in December 09 to have an offer of training by end March. Using that funding First Contact Training was funded to run a Business Admin with Retail E2E course at The Hermit in Brentwood. It has been really successful with 23 young people originally recruited and 16 who are still on course. It runs for 12 weeks and young people will get a Level 1 Bus Admin plus a Retail Certificate.

Prospects College has also started a Level 1 Carpentry course at Sawyers Hall which 12 young people have started. These courses have had a positive impact on Brentwood NEET figures, March 2010 NEET for Brentwood was 4.7% (it was 6.2% in January), a reduction of 30 young people.

On Friday 16^th April 2010 a Research Company held two focus groups with young people NEET. This was part of the Government looking at NEET across the County. A Careers Fair was held on 29^th April 2010, 5000 invites were sent out to young people in school year groups 9 – 13.

In relation to higher educational attainment and skills levels in the adult population there is a programme of activities for National Adult Learners Week annually held in May; and a Town Centre Manager’s Conference highlighted the employers training programme.

To attract inward investment the BID (Business Improvement Districts) Scheme has been established – businesses in a defined geographical area vote to invest collectively in local improvements to enhance their trading environments.

The following initiatives are in hand to stimulate business expansion and innovation:

Keep Trade Local Campaign: Council initiative to support Brentwood Businesses enabling them to advertise free on the council website and in “Vision”.

Fairtrade Fortnight: 22^rd Feb – 8^th March 2010 – Launch took place at Brentwood Theatre on February 22^nd. Pledge certificates were awarded to Brentwood Theatre, Phoenix FM and Green bean Café. On the 27^th February a stand was set up at the Brentwood Baytree Centre to raise awareness. March 6^th saw a coffee morning at the Friends Meeting House in Shenfield. LSP funded promotional posters and flyers to advertise the Fairtrade Fortnight.

Business Conferences held for local organisations focusing on areas such as:

• Marketing
• Coping with current economic climate
• Protecting businesses against Crime
• IT Solutions

Brentwood Business in the Community Conference 12^th Nov 2009 - Ninety delegates joined together to network with their professional peers, and participate in three very different sessions. Key threads running through each session were new ways to approach traditional activities and gave much food for thought.

The topics covered were High Performance Cultures – Communication Tools, Back to Basics – Projects, Kick Start Your Cash-flow – Finance. Feedback was very positive, and the topic for the 2010 Business Conference was introduced –Go Smart on the Information Super-Highway.

Brentwood Borough Council will be working with businesses, organisations, groups and the local community over the coming months to establish Fairtrade status for the Borough.

The Job Seekers Allowance claimant count rate (Oct 08) was 2.5%,  below the Essex (3.3%) and national average (4.1%).  The proportion of people claiming over 12 months (Oct 08) ranged considerably from 4.5% in Brentwood (the lowest in the region) to 13.4% in Tendring (third highest in the region).

To help jobless people and disadvantaged groups to enter the workforce:

• Businesslink had been responding to the increased number of redundancies.
• A redundancy help link is on the Brentwood Borough Council website.

PRG Project – Biodiversity Improvement and Information Project:

• offers assistance to local landowners in writing suitable management plans for their Local Wildlife Sites (LoWs) ;
• undertake a small improvement task from the plan to ensure site condition improves.

By contributing to better management of LoWs the project will improve the local environment bringing benefits to people across the borough. By supporting the local volunteering initiative the project will lead to increased community cohesion.

On a per capita level, Brentwood has high CO2 emission rates, largely as a result of high levels of road transport emissions associated with the M25 motorway.  Ecological footprints of Essex in 2001-2002, Brentwood was the second highest District and is above the national and regional average.

PRG Project: School Access - carbon reduction - Implement a highway improvement scheme to enable pupils to more safely travel to school by walking and/or cycling.

Brentwood Borough Council is to produce a strategy to see what the council itself can do to reduce its own CO2 emissions, for example:

• Reorganise Street Care Teams to maximise team efficiency and reduce the number of vehicles required.
• Review the refuse collection vehicle fleet and reschedule the maintenance regime.

To improve the condition of the roads and minimise congestion, Brentwood Borough Council has a Highways Localism Panel and holds highways surgeries for residents and businesses in the borough.

Highways has set up innovative partnership arrangements with Brentwood to increase local involvement and influence over what are priority actions for the area and how resources should be invested. This includes Highways Rangers who act as “eyes and ears” on the ground to engage with local people and better understand their needs.

Existing community transport schemes provide 536,000 passenger journeys. Brentwood and Colchester LSPs will use PRG to transform the coverage of their community transport services.

PRG Project: Part time minibus driver funded for Brentwood Community Transport

Brentwood Borough Council has introduced new generation street cleaning machines to provide cleaner streets. See Pilgrims Hatch Partnership case study.  The PHP's Environmental Audit Team assesses the area every 6 months and their feedback informs the actions that are subsequently taken by the partnership such as resident clean up operations. The PHP has also been working closely with Larchwood Primary School, who is helping to publicise the partnership and are looking to introduce environmental audit work into their curriculum. Consultations have been planned for 2009/10; and Street Care satisfaction cards are to be delivered to residents.To reduce the amount of waste produced in Essex and increase recycling levels:

• Brentwood Borough Council provides free advice on all recycling needs to local businesses.
• Proposals are being drawn up for Brentwood Environmental Awards.
• Brentwood Borough Council offers a removal service for commercial waste. Further to this, Brentwood Borough Council provides a cardboard, glass and garden organic waste recycling collection service.

Targets for Recycling have been exceeded.

Brentwood Borough Council has bid successfully for funding from ECC for the 3 following recycling initiatives:

1. To provide recycling pods in schools to promote recycling on the go. This will complement the provision of recycling containers behind the scenes.
2. To assist with the provision of recycling in multiple occupancy dwellings.
3. Trade Waste Recycling pilot scheme, to divert waste from landfill and encourage sustainable and environmental approaches.

Further developments are in hand such as a proposal to collect organic kitchen waste and recycle it, which is due to commence in April 2011, with funds by ECC.

Essex KSI casualties per resident population for 2003-05 show that Brentwood although not the worst in the County was above the regional and national averages.

A 'Community Speed Watch' program has now been established, the police encourage local residents to take part in the scheme which has a high visibility approach to speeding motorists at selected hotspots in and around the town centre. Having successfully recruited volunteers, members of the 'Speed Watch' are deployed at various hotspots (accompanied by PSCOs) with police Issue speed guns to show a deterrent to speeding motorists and collate evidence.

The estimated prevalence of drug misuse from the Home Office, 2004/05 – Brentwood had the fourth highest level in the County (6.07 per 1,000 population) and was above the national and regional averages.  Brentwood also had the lowest rate of users in treatment in Essex.

An action group has been set up by the CDRP to target drug and alcohol related crime.

• Trashed – Secondary school play production aimed at year 9 students, addresses and raises awareness of the dangers of binge drinking.
• Alcohol Treatment Requirements – Contribution to reducing re-offending, community safety and reducing anti-social behaviour.
• Brentwood Association of Safer Licensed Premises - Quarterly review of anti-social behaviour and alcohol related crime and disorder. Promotes and supports membership among licensed premises to provide a safe and well managed environment.
• Behave of Be Banned – Quarterly review of anti-social behaviour and alcohol related crime and disorder. Shares information and provides admin support for Brentwood Association of Safer Licensed Premises scheme.
• Drink Impaired Driver Programme – Has contributed to reducing re-offending, community safety and reducing anti-social behaviour.

Brentwood has 12.9 per 1,000 population (2006) violent crimes and assaults causing injury, lower then Essex (13.9) and much lower than England and Wales as a whole (19).

Chill Out programme includes a knife awareness element.

For actions in hand to address offending and re-offending by adults and young people see the Pilgrims Hatch Partnership case study; the partnership is to continue for the next twelve months. Success of the project may see replica projects set up in other areas.

Brentwood has a lower than average rate of domestic violence.  The CDRP has set up a domestic violence action group.  First installations complete of the Safe Room Model and an evaluation is underway.

Repeat incidents of domestic violence are high in the borough and Brentwood Borough Council has identified a need to focus on early intervention.  The intention is to develop locally-based accommodation for people escaping domestic violence

• Domestic Abuse Action Plan – Formulated by the Brentwood CDRP to target and combat domestic abuse and its effects. Police Officers and PCSOs have been specialist training to deal with domestic abuse victims. The Silent Witness Project has been established to support and comfort victims of domestic abuse. Crucial Crew events educate year 6 students about how to deal with potential domestic abuse problems at home.
• Hitting Home – Play aimed at year 10 and 11 students tackling the topic of domestic violence.

Incidences of serious acquisitive crime in Brentwood are higher than the Essex average.

In order to provide specialist support to victims of a serious sexual offence:

• Young people up to 17 years old who had been sexually abused or raped are now be seen by a paediatrician (previously only under 11s).
• Funding has been found to set up a sexual assault resources centre for mid, south, east and west Essex.  This is likely to be delivered within the next year.

Brentwood has a lower than average rate of young victims of crime.

The Ufilm project has been developed by Brentwood Borough Council in partnership with HENs Theatre Company, funded by Brentwood CDRP. The 6 week project has given young people the opportunity to develop socially and emotionally through the medium of film creation by addressing various young people’s topical issues.

Reports of anti-social behaviour in the Brentwood area have been cut by 25%.  Initiatives in hand include:

• A number of diversionary activities run for young people such as ‘Firebreak’ and ‘chill out’
• A Youth Action Group (YAG) has been set up to deal with young people that were involved in anti-social behaviour and provides early intervention and prevention for those aged between 8 – 16 years and their families in the Brentwood area.
• See Pilgrims Hatch Partnership case study.

• Individuals identified by the Police and Brentwood Borough Council as Anti-Social Behaviour pests can be issued with an Anti Social Behaviour Contract (ABC). The ABC runs for a 6 month period and monitors the behaviour of individual whilst also providing support to attempt to improve the individual’s behaviour.
• A Ward Management system is being employed by the Brentwood Police. This involves PCSOs being assigned specific wards to operate within, allowing them to take ownership of a specific area. This breeds a stronger relationship between the residents and the PSCO and allows the PSCO to become much connected with the area they are working in.
• From April 1^st 2010 a Dispersal Order system will be put into effect by Brentwood Police. Five zones have been highlighted by the Brentwood Police, individuals identified to be causing anti-social behaviour problems within these zones can be issued with a 24 hour dispersal order. This order requires the individual to leave the zoned area for 24 hours, if they are found in the area whilst the order is in effect they will face further reprimands. If the individual resides in the zone the order is a reduced 6 hour time frame.

Brentwood has a low rate of crime and remains in the lowest quartile for crime in England according to government statistics.  73.6% of residents surveyed say they feel safe or very safe outside after dark (2005/06).  The Reduction in crime achieved between April and Nov 2008 was 9%; the CDRP’s target is to reduce all crime by 5% by 31^st March 2011.  Actions in hand include:

• See Pilgrims Hatch Partnership case study.
• A Community Reassurance action group set up by the CDRP.

Brentwood Station is now included on the Town Link Radio in order to reduce crime on public transport

The Police have run an arson awareness initiative for businesses.

50% of Brentwood’s working population commute out of the Borough for work.  Actions to improve access to services include:

• Access points been created in various locations
• Established a PCDL Partnership
• See Ingrave Community Centre Case Study
• See Brentwood Community Hospital Case Study. A Healthy Living Fair was held on Saturday 3rd October 2009 to raise awareness of the Community Hospital and its facilities, along with information, guidance and support for local agencies and residents.  
• See Hermit Health Shop Case Study
• Funding received to deliver 4 Surf Buddy Projects in sheltered schemes, project ongoing
• Brentwood Borough Council is to be a key partner in the new vision for the tourist information centre in Brentwood Town Centre.
• The Under 11’s subgroup is to prioritise soft play provision.
• SW Essex PCT organised a local shuttle bus to operate for the new Community Hospital to ensure it is accessible for all.
• An exciting new ‘Reach Out’ service will be supported by CWOP partners. It is based on direct community work to improving access to services, benefits, increase in training/skills and employment. It will be implemented in areas of highest need, Harlow, Tendring, and Basildon. Uttlesford, Brentwood and Braintree may pilot the scheme in rural areas.
• A new pilot project which is the first of its kind in Essex is taking place in Brentwood, which sees resources for youth work being devolved from Essex County Council to Brentwood Borough Council.  The Brentwood Youth Service Agreement will see the amount of resources delivered locally in Brentwood maximised. The move will provide the Council with additional resources for the youth services it provides.  In devolving this resource and accountability, it is hoped that there will be better integration of activities for young people within Brentwood, increased local determination of activity, and greater involvement of young people in determining the services they receive.  The pilot will take place for 6 months, and at the end of which it will be assessed and decided if it should continue for a further 6 months. Current Youth Service staff will be seconded to Brentwood for the duration of the pilot and delivery of a budget of £148,000 will be transferred to Brentwood.Brentwood LSP is investing PRG in transforming the effectiveness of their CVS and the support they provide to the third sector in the district.  One hundred volunteers from the Voluntary and Community sector are to receive training to act as signposters for people with SfL needs, through the ESF funded Link UP programme, facilitated by Havering College.

See Pilgrims Hatch Partnership case study.

PRG Project: Proposal for the promotion of the CVS to all voluntary organisations to establish a situation where the CVS represents all voluntary organisations.  Also further campaigns to attract volunteers in Brentwood, will lead to the development of the Bureau.

In relation to participation in the arts and cultural activity:

• There is a PRG project for a cultural festival and new theatre - A Cultural Festival in partnership with Brentwood Arts Council and additional outreach for the new Brentwood Theatre.
• Alchemy: Project (case study).
• Jiangsu Festival East meets West (case study). Following on from the Jiangsu Festival’s success, the One World One Essex Cultural Festival is to be held September 2010. This will include workshops for young people, street diversions, performance artists and a final performance at Brentwood Theatre.
• The Directory is produced every 12-18 months and contains a comprehensive listing of community groups, arts, sports and support group for the residents of Brentwood.
• Explore Culture – The survey asked how often people participate in Arts, Sports and Culture. Brentwood scored 2^nd highest in Essex for Arts participation.
• Essex on Tour – A county wide scheme that enables people to promote high quality arts events in their local venues. The scheme has volunteers who raise money for their village halls and local venues contribute towards many great nights out for local residents and visiting trade. This has increased accessibility to theatre performances in rural areas of Brentwood with 3-4 performances during spring and autumn every year.
• Strawberry Fair Sunday 21^st June 2009 - The Fair featured traditional stalls and craft exhibitions, entertainment to suit all the family. Children’s rides, Punch and Judy, balloon modeling, face painting, sword fighting demonstrations. Adults enjoyed a vintage and classic vehicle parade, stalls, Tae Kwan Do and Tai Chi demonstrations and entertainment from Brentwood’s Got Talent winners, local bands and dance troupes. And, of course, lots of strawberries and cream! A further event was held in June 2010.
• Participation in regular volunteering in the community increased through Chill Out, Crucial Crew and Volunteering Bank of Young People.
• Arts Awards – Additional qualifications available for young people 11-25 years. Bronze, Silver (GCSE) and Gold (A Level).
• L2A Card – Launched to provide free and low cost leisure and cultural activities to families and individuals affected by the economic downturn, over 50 people have already applied.
• Brentwood Art Trail – Part of the Art Trail is a Dragon sculpture made from recyclable materials. The sculpture is currently touring schools in the Borough until 2012 with interactive workshops with the artist. The tour is increasing arts engagement with local schools and awareness of cultural Olympiad for 2012.

There is strong participation in sports and leisure activities as a result of a variety of schemes and initiatives:

• Brentwood Sports Awards – Recognition of individuals making positive contributions to sport. The awards feed into the County/Regional/National awards.
• Handball Development – Handball is a 2012 Olympics minority sport. In partnership with the Brentwood Centre, Brentwood Borough Council is promoting greater awareness of the sport, with the Brentwood centre acting as a training centre for 2012.
• Festival of Sport – One day come and try session at the Brentwood Centre including scuba diving, volley ball and karate.
• Brentwood Sports Council – Provides an increased awareness of sporting activity within the Borough and determines priorities for the area.
• Parkfit – Increased provision for outdoor low cost activity in County Parks including running, kettle bells and step. 2 sessions per week.
• Multi Sports (Ladies only) – Increased the number of women participants into sport with a selection of sports.

A number of initiatives have been put in place with the intention of improving perceptions of, and increasing contact with young people within the borough:

• Talented 100 – Recognition of young people making positive contributions to society.
• Young Person of the Year Award – Part of the Leader’s Youth Focus Programme, the awards highlight positive role models for other young people. Engages with local businesses that sponsors various awards.
• Creative Consultation July 2009 – Brentwood Borough Council commissioned HENs Theatre Company undertake a creative media consultation with local young people. The consultation targeted pupils at 5 different secondary schools in Brentwood with a range of questions about what they do in their spare time and what they would like to see in Brentwood in the future. Messages that came out of the consultation - a perception amongst that Brentwood doesn’t offer enough low cost activities for young people and Brentwood has an ‘old fashioned’ mentality that doesn’t cater to young people.

• Brentwood Young Ambassadors: 45 young people have been selected from Brentwood secondary schools as Young Ambassadors for the 4 year celebrations in the run-up to the 2012 Olympic Games. The group will lead key celebratory projects with their school; they will also ensure that children in primary schools and people within the local community are included.  They will be invited to take part in key events in the area and will be consulted as to how young people can become involved.

The Brentwood town centre enhancement scheme was completed in December 2009 (Case Study).  The enhancement of Brentwood High Street has transformed the quality of the town centre for all its users from businesses, shoppers, pedestrians and visitors alike. Reactions to the scheme have been positive at all levels of stakeholder ownership. High Street enhancement projects always create inconvenience for users (during construction), especially local traders during a period of economic hardship but the transformation has proved that the inconvenience was worthwhile.  Pedestrian safety has also been improved at the Weald Road/High Street junction itself with the installation of phased pedestrian crossings which will prioritise pedestrians when traffic is minimal. Other improvements include the reduction of air pollution by keeping vehicle movements more consistent with less idling time.

There is a need to increase hotel provision, particularly focusing on the requirements of the 2012 Olympics. A survey showed Brentwood lacked budget priced accommodation and had the potential to fill 60-120 rooms. A planning application from Premier Inn was recommended for approval in the town centre near Brentwood station and would improve the station area and any spin-offs may benefit local businesses in the town centre.

To help parents feel able with community help to raise their children well, the following projects are in hand:

• Family Body Care
• Consultations
• Family Fun Day
• Parenting support across Brentwood is being mapped by TASCC