1. Succession planning guidance: a future for 39 communities. Moving forward from the NDC programme: 4 th December 2008 Helen Giles New Deal for Communities programme manager

2. 2 What does the guidance cover? Sets the framework within which succession strategies should operate. Largely complements previous guidance (2002 and 2006) 3 key areas on succession strategies Policy aims. Assessment criteria and sign off plans. Policy on technical issues.

3. 3 Why succession strategies? less crime; lower fear of crime; greater satisfaction with the area – now 71%; 80% residents think they have a “good” quality of life; BECAUSE NDC AREAS HAVE IMPROVED ALOT. By 2006: Improved GCSE results.

4. 4 More to sustain…… 400 new / improved community facilities; Over 200 new / improved health facilities; 11,000 community groups supported; 2,700 jobs created and 12,000 safeguarded; 17,500 homes improved or built; and 90 buildings improved / brought back into use Many useful lessons have been learned – eg: How to empower residents; Innovative projects and approaches; Increasing trust in public services through partnership working

5. 5 Succession strategies – the aims Deliver target outcomes aligned with LAA outcomes and other local priorities; Continue community empowerment; Safeguard the assets generated by NDC grant to remain in the area for the benefit of the community; Financially sustainable; and Integrated within the local delivery mechanisms and strategies.

6. 6 Succession strategies – the requirements (1) Sustainability plan for the area. Assessed on 8 criteria: Criterion 1: The outcomes to be delivered are appropriate for the NDC area and the community it serves. Criterion 2: The community continues to be empowered and community leaders are supported. Criterion 3: Agreed split of responsibilities between partners in continuing activities / services.

7. 7 Requirements (2) Criterion 4: The assets are safeguarded into the long term. Criterion 5: Governance arrangements support the objectives of the succession plans. Criterion 6: The risks to the succession strategy have been properly identified and are being actively managed. Criterion 7: The strategy must be agreed by the Local Authority/ Accountable Body and supported by partners. Criterion 8: The successor vehicle must be financially independent into the long term.

8. 8 Succession strategies – vital technical guidance and assumptions Clarifies outstanding issues – eg area, assets, successor vehicles, clawback removal, accounting procedures. Provides assumptions to enable preparation of financial plans – eg: Use of NDC grant and income; Likely policy on clawback removal; Transfer of assets and “locking them in”; and Costs to be incurred. If can’t meet all criteria and assumptions……..we need to talk.

9. 9 Assessment and sign off Documents required Sustainability strategy for the area An asset register and future management strategy A risk register and management strategy; and Business plans for successor organisation Sign off process NDC and Accountable Body Chief Executive agree strategy. Submit to Government for assessment, informed by an “Expert Panel” Round 1 NDCs - submitted to CLG by end of April 2009 for final assessment by December 2009

10. Helen Giles New Deal for Communities programme manager