Cumbria Neighbourhood
Watch Association
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Charity No - 1092522
Company No. 05854713
"The vision of CNWA is that Cumbria will be a safer and stronger place to live, work and visit" In an emergency always dial 999.
CNWA News
Update on the Cumbria Neighbourhood Watch Project
The Cumbria Neighbourhood Watch Project, jointly funded by Cumbria County Council and Cumbria Neighbourhood Watch Association (CNWA) came to an end in April 2009.
The primary objectives of the Project were to create a three year Business Plan, and a sustainable funding base for Neighbourhood Watch in Cumbria (NHWinC).The Project also worked with CNWA to assist its development.
A particular issue for Neighbourhood Watch in Cumbria, and of particular concern to the Project, was the position that funding previously provided by the Safer and Stronger Communities Thematic Partnership (SSCTP) for the employment by Cumbria Constabulary of four Neighbourhood Watch Development Officers was not going to be continued after April 2009.
It became clear that there were significant issues for NHWinC in relation to a number of important stakeholders including general confusion and lack of knowledge, lack of confidence that funding achieving value for money, misunderstandings about responsibility for direction, development and accountability, and specific confusion between the position of NHWinC and CNWA.
Key stakeholders wanted for the future :-
Clarity in leadership, direction and business planning
Reduced financial commitment through `project type` funding -- and where provided clear value for money
Basic support resources provided through the `mainstream` as opposed to `project based`
The way forward
Following considerable consultation including the input of members the Project Board agreed a way forward.
The future model for NHWinC provides for Cumbria County Council and Cumbria Constabulary to jointly take `representative leadership responsibility` for leading and directing a business planning process, and for facilitating the resourcing of NHWinC through its integration into `mainstream` support -- principally through Neighbourhood Policing. In addition by support through Neighbourhood Development, through Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service and through other partners. Others key partners such as Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships, invited to be party to business planning, and participation in a `Joint Management Group`.
A particular outcome is that the position and role of CNWA as the members representative organisation -- and as such a critically important partner with the County Council, Constabulary etc. has been made clear and reinforced.
On 2 March 2009 Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Constabulary and CNWA launched a Joint Statement of Intent setting out their commitments to NHWinC.
A draft 3 year Business Plan has been created.
A Joint Management Group has been established and the first meeting of the was held in April 2009. A wide range of partner organisations sent representatives.
In order to secure the provision of support resources for NHWinC a series of Service Level Agreements have been drafted. These compliment, and together cover, the necessary support for the Business Plan. The level of progress negotiating these agreements varies between different organisations. Some partners, such as Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service will develop an increasing profile in working with Neighbourhood Watch.
The funding for the NHW Development Officers`s ceased in April 2009. The principal support for NHWinCin future will come from Neighbourhood Policing Teams and others. This major `transition/change ` programme will be managed by a `Transition/Change` Manager, employed by Cumbria Constabulary, and funded by SSCTP. The post will be advertised in the near future.
Cumbria Neighbourhood Watch Association now have new members to the Board including `professional` advisers as Treasurer and Company Secretary. The financial and legal positions are being resolved and brought up to date. CNWA now has a clear and distinct role. The Board has updated its Vision, Values, Aims and Objectives etc. CNWA has prepared its own one year Business Plan, complimentary to the NHWinC Business Plan.