The LIFT SW RIEP support programme is gathering momentum with the approval for release in June 08 of just under £2.5m by the Management Board to authorities in the South West. This represents about 30% of the total funding available for authorities in 2008/09.
LIFT SW RIEP is one of the first Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnerships (RIEPS) nationally to release money to authorities since their formation in March 2008. This follows an extensive consultation and co-ordination exercise over the three months to March 2008. Over 100 officers and members across 31 authorities, plus other public sector bodies, regional interest groups and agencies contributed to the LIFT SW RIEP strategy during this time. The remainder of the LIFT SW RIEP funding of 23m for CSR07 will be released over the next 2 to 3 years.
The funding will be directed by a series of officer-led Programme Boards, frequently with strong Member support. The Programme Boards are often existing regional bodies that have agreed to develop and commission work programmes. The Boards report to the main LIFT SW Management Board and supporting Executive Group. This ensures that funding aligns with regional strategy, but remains focussed on things that are practical, innovative, collaborative or just difficult for authorities to do on their own. It also ensures that funding is distributed through the channel most appropriate for the work in hand; service networks, key authorities, lead LSPs, sub-regions or any other appropriate regional network group.
The process for authorities to access the initial £2.5m funding will be announced in the next few weeks and will be focussed on: `
- LAA and MAA support - £300k - Jayne Erskine (jayne.erskine@gosw.gsi.gov.uk)
- Building Capacity for Overall Improvement in Key Authorities (including Member development) - £1.2m - Stephen Fletcher (stephen.fletcher@idea.gov.uk)
- Support for Business Transformation (including improved two-tier working) - £280k - Anita Tadayon (anitatadayon@yahoo.com)
- Adult Health and Wellbeing - £340k - Helen Maunder (h.maunder@dorsetcc.gov.uk)
- Children and Young People - £125k - John Lees (j.lees@dorsetcc.gov.uk)
- Property Construction (contractor framework) - £250k - Tony Gale (tony.gale@beaufortwest.co.uk)
Other streams of work are already in progress and will be announced over the summer, including:
- Smarter Procurement - Gillian Brindle (g.brindle@dorsetcc.gov.uk)
- Asset Management - Tony Gale (tony.gale@beaufortwest.co.uk)
- Waste Services - Hamid Kennedy (h.kennedy@dorsetcc.gov.uk)
- Climate Change - David Bowater (david.bowater@southwest-ra.gov.uk)
- Stronger Communities - Stephen Fletcher (stephen.fletcher@idea.gov.uk)
- Local Economy - David Bowater (david.bowater@southwest-ra.gov.uk)
- Tackling Exclusion and Promotind Equality - Stephen Fletcher (stephen.fletcher@idea.gov.uk)
- Fire and Rescue - Graham Saunders (graham.saunders@avonfire.gov.uk)
- Innovative or collaborative small projects - Hamid Kennedy (h.kennedy@dorsetcc.gov.uk)
To find out how you can get involved in shaping the programmes, or obtain further details about how to access funding, please contact the programme leads/managers above, or ring LIFT SW on 01305 757230
