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Work with other providers
'Work with other providers to ensure that services are simple to use, effective
and co-ordinated, and deliver a better service to the user'
Successful Partnerships
In order to be successful, any partnership should :
 | Be able to deliver service delivery improvements to all organisations involved. |
| Lead to improved services for customers. |
| Achieve such improvement with minimal or no additional costs. |
| Ensure that information and co-ordination between the partners work effectively. |
| Include regular reviews to ensure that the partnership retains its effectiveness. |
Potential Partners
With a wide range of disciplines and professional areas there is a huge potential for
Environmental Health Departments to work with other providers in the delivery of services.
Partnership Working
The arrangements may be formal and based on contracts or via informal agreement, but
the overall aim of the joint working should be to enhance the service currently provided
in order to meet identified customer needs and to improve value for money.
Good Practice Checklist
| Partnership Opportunities |
The following are examples of Service areas with the potential
for partnerships |
SERVICE
AREA
Home Energy Conservation Act |
POTENTIAL
PARTNERS
Electricity Cos, Environmental Centres, Energy Savings Trusts,
Housing Departments |
| Recycling
Activities |
Private
sector, Waste Management Departments |
| Health
Promotion |
NHS
Trusts, Primary Care Groups, Education Departments, Health Authorities |
| Local
Agenda 21 |
Voluntary
sector, Community Groups, Business sector, Environment Centres |
| Environmental
Protection |
Pressure
Groups, Environment Agency |
| Health
& Safety |
Business,
Health and Safety Executive |
| Noise
Nuisance |
Police,
Housing Associations/Departments |
| Home
Safety |
Fire
Service, Health Authority, Hospitals |
| Pest
Control |
Other
Local Authorities, Water Cos, Private sector |
| Public
Entertainment Licences |
Police,
Planning Officers, Fire Service, Building Control |
| Mediation
Schemes |
Housing
Dept, Police, Citizens' Advice Bureaus |
| Litter |
Voluntary
sector, Tidy Britain Group |
| Business
Partnerships |
Local
Businesses, Health and Safety Executive, Business Link |
Examples of Good Practice Checklist
| Successful Partnerships
|
The following are exampes of partnerships esatblished by
En-Charter members |
PARTNERSHIP
|
LOCAL
AUTHORITY
|
| Environmental
Advisory Centre |
Wycombe
District Council |
| Business
Forum |
Test Valley Borough
Council |
| Home
Improvement Agency |
London Borough of
Bromley |
| Mediation |
Birmingham City
Council |
| Supermarkets |
Royal Borough of
Windsor & Maidenhead |
| Joint
Enforcement Protocol |
Royal Borough of
Windsor & Maidenhead |
| Health
for All |
Winchester City
Council |
| Community
Safety |
Birmingham City
Council |
| Citizens'
Advice Bureau |
Birmingham City
Council |
| T5 Lobby
Group |
Royal Borough of
Windsor & Maidenhead |
| Clean
Vehicle Campaign |
Winchester City
Council |
| Workplace
Health Alliance |
Winchester City
Council |
| Mediation
Scheme |
Wycombe District
Council |
| Home
Safety |
Cheltenham Borough
Council |
| Business
Partnerships |
North Kesteven Borough
Council |
| Homecheck
scheme |
Winchester City
Council |
| Students
in the Community |
Cheltenham Borough
Council |
| Energy
Efficiency |
Epsom & Ewell
Borough Council |
| Landlords'
Forum |
London Borough of
Wandsworth |
CASE STUDY 20 : Wycombe
Mediation Service
(Source : Wycombe District Council)
Introduction
Recognising that noise was often not the underlying cause of
neighbour noise complaints, Wycombe DC has established a mediation service to offer a
non-judgmental, independent methodology to resolve this type of complaint.
Service Development
Pump-priming funding was provided by the Council to establish a
steering committee, which combined the views and efforts of partner organisations such as
the Probation Service, Citizens' Advice Bureau, Housing Associations, Magistrates and the
Police. A full-time Manager/Co-ordinator was appointed and local volunteers were trained
to act as mediators. Wycombe Mediation is now an independent charity which accepts
referrals from many organisations and individuals.
Benefits
Offers the opportunity to resolve the root cause of complaints at
an early stage thereby avoiding the potential for repeat complaints and lengthy
investigations. About 90 cases per annum are dealt with.
Feedback received
Positive feedback has been received from both first and second
parties involved in disputes.
Comments
A good example of lateral thinking which helps to resolve
problems more permanently and reduces wasted officer time investigating complaints which
are not noise nuisance issues. |
CASE STUDY 21 : Partnership
for Home Energy Efficiency
(Source : Epsom and Ewell Borough Council)
Introduction
Epsom and Ewell Borough Council is using multi-agency working to
promote energy efficiency in the Borough's dwellings.
Service Development
The Council currently works with three organisations - South East
Energy Advice Centre (SEEAC), Eaga Services Ltd and Croydon Energy Network - to meet the
Home Energy Conservation Act duty. Through these partnerships, it gives advice and
information to the public to promote energy efficiency measures in the area.
Benefits
Working in partnership has provided a better service to the
public without relying too heavily on the Council's own resources. For example, the local
energy efficiency discount scheme provided by Eaga Services arranges for work to be
carried out for householders by approved contractors at a 30% discount. The Council's only
responsibility is to promote the scheme.
Feedback Received
There has been a positive public response particularly to the
energy reports provided by SEEAC. These give an assessment of the current level of energy
efficiency of dwellings and ways in which it can be improved.
Comments
The current strategy focuses on the Council as an enabler, and
involves providing information and advice on energy efficiency together with details on
partners who can assist with implementing practical measures. Each partner has its own
specialist skills and responsibilities overall acting in in a complementary way. |
CASE STUDY 22 : Local
Business Partnership
(Source : North Kesteven District Council)
Introduction
The partnership provides a framework to enable the business
community, voluntary sector and public sector organisations to work together.
Service Development
Established as a joint venture by North Kesteven District Council
and Lincolnshire County Council which provides administrative and secretarial support.
Membership now includes a variety of businesses, both local firms and national chains.
Meetings are held on a three monthly basis and each member has a manual, listing contact
details of other members.
Benefits
The aim is to improve the flow of communication between
businesses and the public sector to achieve better understanding of legal responsibilities
and problems caused by their application. Businesses feel more involved in the process and
are able to compete on more equal terms and less time is spent enforcing compliance.
Feedback received
Very positive feedback has been received from businesses which
see it as a valuable source of information on issues they need to consider and the
opportunity to highlight problems at an earlier stage. Public sector staff benefit by
developing a better understanding of the practicalities of compliance with legal
requirements. The net result is increased trust between all parties.
Comments
An important mechanism to improve the flow of communication
between the differing stakeholders in the regulation process which is often the root cause
of any difficulties. Also helps to develop the ultimate goal of self-compliance with legal
standards. |
C
CASE STUDY 23 : Homecheck
Service
(Source : Winchester City Council)
Introduction
Homecheck is a free home safety inspection service for the over
65s aimed at reducing the number of home accidents, particularly falls. The scheme
includes a basic handyman service which will rectify basic safety faults and fit security
measures to doors and windows.
Service Development
The service was developed in partnership with the Social Services
Department and local Hospital Trust that recognised that the number of accidents amongst
the elderly was increasing. The scheme is jointly funded by all the partners.
Benefits
Reducing the number of accidents in the home has a direct impact
on the number of admissions to hospital and hip replacement requirements. Security
measures reduce the potential for burglary and distress.
Feedback received
Feedback from customers is extremely positive and is assessed
using feedback cards. The scheme is also being researched in order to assess its
effectiveness as an intervention to prevent accidents.
Comments
A good example of how partnership can lead to a new service which
has a significant impact on the health of a target group of the population and benefits
the NHS financially. |
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