1. BERMONDSEYNEIGHBOURHOODFORUM Building a Neighbourhood Plan for Bermondsey John B. Corey, Jr ISG Acting Chair Bermondsey Neighbourhood Forum

2. BERMONDSEYNEIGHBOURHOODFORUM The Neighbourhood Plan: – triggers for action Concern following Southwark Council’s consultation on an SPD for the area Recognition of development pressures in the area Established concerns wishing to preserve historic nature of Bermondsey Street Area

3. BERMONDSEYNEIGHBOURHOODFORUM A community push for action A variety of groups and individuals from Bermondsey came together at a public meeting Common concern to preserve the ‘special and different’ nature of the area –historic buildings and areas –the social and economic mix Agreed a group would take Neighbourhood Plans forward

4. BERMONDSEYNEIGHBOURHOODFORUM Our area Bounded by Borough High Street, Tower Bridge Road+, New Kent Road and the river Includes the London Bridge ‘opportunity area’ and extended to keep neighbouring residential communities together Includes: –major employers (e.g. Guys Hospital, Southwark Council) –riverside office and tourist areas –significant private residential redeveloped areas –large social housing estates –schools and other community facilities

5. BERMONDSEYNEIGHBOURHOODFORUM How we are building the plan ‘Crowd Sourcing’ of ideas and concepts – including through traditional public meetings Structured engagement of individual community groups using consultants Gap analysis of communities/demographic sections contributing Specific reengagement of ‘missing groups’ Filtering and balancing – producing final plan

6. BERMONDSEYNEIGHBOURHOODFORUM Transparency and accountability Significant use of digital media channels –Facebook page and Twitter news feed –Using pictures and video to save time writing up –Recognition of the limitation of a digital-led approach Recognition of the value of face-to-face engagement –going to groups in their own settings –Acknowledging weakness of mass-meetings & write-in consultation

7. BERMONDSEYNEIGHBOURHOODFORUM Issues for the Forum The unrepresentative nature of motivated group leaders –overwhelmingly professional middle class –a group with an inherent focus on process –a predisposition to the top-down formal consultation model – as used by the council The challenges of pre-existing local campaign groups –limited issues motivate people to be involved –these groups can dominate public meetings and written input –those not motivated can be alienated and broader ‘softer’ interests can be sidelined or feel excluded

8. BERMONDSEYNEIGHBOURHOODFORUM Solving the representation issue Specific skills or domain knowledge is needed –The specialists who get things done –Local ties are less important than specific skills Leadership needs to come from a broad representative group –Senior elders, community leaders, special interest groups in the area –Local ties are critical plus breath or reach into the community

9. BERMONDSEYNEIGHBOURHOODFORUM Jigsaw puzzle The Representatives Group (RG) sets the tone, owns the decisions The Steering Group (SG) does the work, implements the decisions and offers expertise The Community is the ultimate source of the wants and needs of the community

10. BERMONDSEYNEIGHBOURHOODFORUM Localism does not ignore strategy We live and work in a context –The national, greater London and Southwark Borough strategy plans plus regulations take precedent A neighbourhood plan fits under or within the strategic plans We are talking about planning –We can aspire & set a tone slightly wider

11. BERMONDSEYNEIGHBOURHOODFORUM Where are we today? DCLG Front Runner Status Constitution in place; DCLG funds available Partnered with Southwark Council Actively engaging with community groups Reaching outside the community to similar ‘localism groups’ in other areas Facebook page, website, multiple documents capturing progress so far

12. BERMONDSEYNEIGHBOURHOODFORUM Active work on-going The project plan shows the main streams of work –Communication –Identifying one or more of the DCLG funded consulting firms to assist –Recruiting volunteers and activists to complement the professionals –Liaising through Simon Bevan to stay on track

13. BERMONDSEYNEIGHBOURHOODFORUM Project Plan refer to project plan –copies to be emailed to those who request one

14. BERMONDSEYNEIGHBOURHOODFORUM Taking a first step as representatives Do you want to engage as the representative for your group? –Yes –No If yes, there are a couple more things to do

15. BERMONDSEYNEIGHBOURHOODFORUM If Yes The SG has been an interim group with the sole purpose of jumpstarting the process. –The SG needs a mandate to continue for 30-60 days –As the project evolves, the SG should evolve to reflect the skills needed. This is a RG decision. Once one or more recommended professional organisations are identified, a decision needs to be taken to sign an engagement contract

16. BERMONDSEYNEIGHBOURHOODFORUM ISG Membership refer to profile PDF –copies to be emailed to those who request one