As Burngreave New Deal for Communities (BNDfC) arrives at its mid-way, five year point, the excellent work taking place in the area is evident and the future of Burngreave is looking bright thanks to the efforts of everyone involved.
BNDfC was awarded a £52m grant from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in 2001 to regenerate Burngreave over a decade. One of 39 New Deals across the country, it is now seen as a success story thanks to the enormous inroads made in the area. These include:
A decrease in crime by 40 per cent thanks to initiatives such as the New Deal Police Team, Anti Social Behaviour Team and Safer Homes Scheme which provide free locks and security measure for homes.
Significant numbers of local people assisted into employment and training. In 2005, 63 people were helped into work and 433 residents offered support, advice and guidance from the JobNet and Burngreave Opportunities projects.
Visible improvements to houses, parks and shops. A recent survey has shown litter is down by 50 per cent thanks to the work of a number of projects including the Neighbourhood Wardens and Environmental Maintenance Project. The facelift scheme has carried out a block improvement programme on 34 properties on Rock Street to improve the appearance of this significant route into Burngreave.
Increased involvement and achievement by children and adults through educational provision. 263 children now access after school study support every week and 615 adults have accessed courses which lead onto formal qualifications thanks to the work of the Community Education Co-ordinators.
A nine per cent decrease from 2002 to 2004 in the number of households whose income is below £100 per week.
A rise of 19 per cent from 2002 to 2004 in the number of local people who truly recognise the impact BNDfC is having on improving the area.
The programme has so far helped fund and support more than 80 different projects across its seven themes of Education, Crime, Housing, Environment, Employment and Enterprise, Health and Over Arching/Community strength.
John Clark, Chief Executive of BNDfC, said: "At the beginning of the programme, our biggest challenges were to address the perception of crime in the area and bring some belief to the people of Burngreave that we were going to stick to our promises and deliver real and lasting change.
“It was a struggle because people had been let down before so they didn't believe the area would ever be improved. NDCs are supposed to be led by the community and we felt it was important that residents had a major influence over how things were done so we decided that two-thirds of the partnership board should be made up of community representatives. People grasped this new concept and it helped us to develop our credibility as local people were involved in the decision making.”
BNDfC was different to other NDC across the county who tried to make physical changes first. Here, making the investment in people was seen as the priority.
Says John: “We have now created the conditions for change so the refurbishments over the next five years of major landmarks in the area such as Vestry Hall, Sorby House and the public realm around Spital Hill can now be done. These will be clear physical changes that perhaps other NDC's have tackled first but that we felt we needed the involvement and support of the local community before starting. This investment in buildings will mean services can be attracted to the area beyond the life of New Deal.”
As Rose Ardron, Chair of the BNDfC Partnership Board, explains reaching the half-way mark means there is now a need to concentrate on the priorities so real and sustainable change can be delivered. "We recognise there is still a lot more to be done especially when compared to the rest of the city but Burngreave has come a long way. Now we have to be clear about the areas we need to focus on to ensure that BNDfC makes lasting change.
“The aim of New Deal was never to fund everything for ten-years but projects to use BNDfC resources to build their own capacity and seek funding from other sources. This way, the work we have done is sustainable when the programme comes to an end.”
Adds John: "Burngreave has a rich diversity that we are all very proud of. We have worked hard to improve the physical environment and the quality of services so everyone in our community benefits.
“BNDfC has been successful in addressing the challenges we have faced so far. But for me, the most significant change is what residents think about their area and the opportunities that are now open to them. This is what has changed and is what the success of an NDC programme should be based on.”
Jon Ekwubiri, Safer Neighbourhoods Area Inspector for South Yorkshire Police, has been the Inspector for Burngreave over the last three years. He said: "Burngreave is now one of the safest areas in Sheffield which in essence is down to the multi-agency working in the area. Gone are the days when the police act in isolation. An example of this was when legislation was used for the first time in Sheffield last year to close a ‘Crack House’ in the area. This resulted in a reduction of crimes by 66 per cent within a 200 meter radius of the premises in question.
“Engagement at the numerous forums by my staff and me have ensured the community are heard and have a voice which is phenomenally important in modern day policing,” he added.
Cllr Jackie Drayton said: "I think the New Deal for Communities programme has been a great success – well done and thanks to all those involved including BNDfC staff, the partnership board and members of the theme and strategy groups.
“Working with the City Council, Area Panel, local community and other projects and partners has shown that by pulling together to improve things for the area really can make a difference in community safety, education, housing, the environment, health and employment. It's fantastic and I can't wait to see the changes over the next five years!”