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Neighbourhood Development and Support

Neighbourhood Development and Support Unit (NDSU) is a small, neighbourhood-focused team working within the City Operations Directorate. We work with communities to empower them and create better places to live.

On this page, we outline some of our areas of work.

Supporting local community governance

Community governance means listening to individuals and communities and allowing them to influence decisions that impact them. We offer Ward Forum Meeting (WFM) support for all 69 Â鶹ÊÓƵ wards, working with Councillors (also referred to as elected members).

Councillors are required by the council’s constitution to hold regular ward forum meetings with residents, to focus on the issues, priorities, and decisions important to people in their local area.

We also provide support with ward action plans, which list local priorities and issues determined through co-production, discussions and engagement with the community.

Learn more about information about Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s constitution

Neighbourhood Action Co-ordination

In 2022, we launched the Neighbourhood Action Co-ordination programme. This initiative assigns dedicated co-ordinators to specific wards in the city to organise activities that address local priorities and improve neighbourhoods. The work focuses on three themes: the local environment, community safety and quality of life.

Investment in neighbourhoods and communities

We manage a range of place-based grant programmes throughout the year. These are available for local community groups and organisations to help fund local projects and activities. Examples of the funds include:

  • Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL, local element)
  • Beyond Â鶹ÊÓƵ 2022 - Celebrating Communities
  • UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), Community and Place Pillar

Learn more about available grant fund programmes

Voluntary and community sector support

We engage, empower communities, and support volunteering and active citizenship across the city. We offer guidance, resources, and assistance to help community groups and organisations in Â鶹ÊÓƵ access funding and support for their development.

NDSU writes a monthly newsletter for residents and key stakeholders interested in the city’s vibrant voluntary sector and social economy. There is also a monthly external funding bulletin which individuals and groups can sign up to receive via email.

Find more information about capacity building for the voluntary and community sector

Localism and devolution

The 'Working Together in Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Neighbourhoods' policy statement sets out the council’s commitment to neighbourhoods and the policies taken forward to improve neighbourhood working. We have developed key themes of work in line with the Council’s priority on localism.

Download the 'Working Together in Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Neighbourhoods' policy statement.

Neighbourhood Planning

Neighbourhood Planning is a process where communities can come together and prepare plans that will guide the type of development they would like to see in their area. A Neighbourhood Plan gives a community legal powers to influence development and shape the future of where they live and work.

Learn more about Neighbourhood Planning

Neighbourhood and Parish councils

Neighbourhood and Parish councils are the lowest level of local government in England. They have two main roles: community representation and local administration. The transfer of powers through devolution is important as it ensures that decisions are made closer to the communities they affect.

Learn more about Neighbourhood and Parish councils

Assets of Community Value

Assets of Community Value (ACV) are buildings or facilities (cultural, leisure or sporting) that add to the well-being or interests of the local community and are likely to continue to do so in the future. The Community Right to Bid scheme allows Parish councils, voluntary groups and community groups to suggest public or private assets that they feel are valuable to the community.

Learn more about Assets of Community Value

Community Asset Transfer

Community Asset Transfer (CAT) allows community organisations to take on a long lease of a publicly owned building. It is a different process to Assets of Community Value (ACV).

Facilitation of two Neighbourhood Network Schemes

Neighbourhood Network Schemes (NNS) support local residents over 50 and people aged 18 to 49 with additional needs, to access community-based services and activities that promote well-being and a better quality of life. There are ten NNSs across the city one in each constituency. NDSU facilitates the schemes in the Perry Barr constituency and Selly Oak constituency.

Managing UK Shared Prosperity Fund

The UK Government launched the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). It replaces the EU Structural Funds, which are no longer available since the UK left the European Union. As the Community and Place Pillar lead, NDSU deliver a specific programme in Aston and Newtown wards.

Learn more about the UKSPF programme

Page last update: 8 August 2024