Anyone
Local Management Agreements are all about flexibility, so anyone who lives in a home or area owned by the Council can take part - whether they are a tenant, leaseholder or freeholder. Where an area has an organised tenants' association, or other residents' group, this may be the best starting point to negotiate and set up a Local Management Agreement.
But
the Council will also work with residents more informally and with
other bodies (for example, wider community groups, parents' groups, sports and other clubs or societies).
If there is an established residents' group, but the interest in a Local Management
Agreement comes from another group of people, the Council will help to communicate,
consult and broker the agreement, to make sure everyone is aware of and understands
what it involves.
Whoever is involved, the Local Management
Agreement is there to guide how things run on the ground.
Different types of agreements
The simplest kind of Local Management Agreement
is two-way - between
residents and the Council. This can be used to set standards, monitor
and agree payment for most straightforward services.
In some cases though (for example, where there is an Arm's
Length Management Organisation, or where residents want to work
in partnership with a particular supplier, or there is joint control
or ownership of a local facility) you may need a three (or more)
-way agreement or set of agreements. These are more complex, and
can raise VAT and other legal problems - but are still possible.
Being up to the job
Taking over services can be difficult - even
the simplest tasks are surprisingly complicated and difficult to
get right. So, before you take charge of any services under a Local
Management Agreement, you will have to demonstrate (both to yourselves
and the Council) that you've got what it takes. This means
having the right mix of attitudes, knowledge, skills and other resources
to run services successfully - both as individuals, and as
a group.
The core skills and qualities you must demonstrate are:
- Commitment to residents and the local community
- Willingness and ability to work openly and cooperatively with residents, CityWest Homes, the Council and other organisations
- Willingness and ability to work as a team member, establishing and maintaining good working relationships
- Ability to understand, manage and control budgets and finances
- Ability to specify, negotiate and manage contracts and agreements
- Ability to plan, organise and review projects and activities
- Ability to identify your training needs, and undertake and evaluate learning
- Ability to conduct effective meetings and communicate clearly in writing and orally.
The member of staff who we appoint to work with you will help you decide when you meet these competencies, and are ready to take over services. The standard you need to meet will obviously depend on the scope and demands of the service you're taking on. We will help you to arrange any training and support you need to meet the competencies.
Being organised
Whoever suggests and does the early work to establish a Local Management
Agreement, most situations will require residents to form a simple
unincorporated association to run local services. All residents
covered by an agreement automatically become members of this simple
body, with a small number of key people acting as trustees. See 'Who's
in charge'
