Community Assembly Working Groups

The Working Group application process is open from 23 March - 3 May 2021.

Functions and Selection Criteria for Community Assembly Working Groups

April 2021 – March 2022

What does a Working Group do?

• Each Community Assembly in Newham’s eight Community Neighbourhood areas has a Working Group associated with it.
• After the first round of Community Assemblies the Working Group looks at all the priorities and information that has come from the assembly and the Newhamco-create.co.uk digital platform.
• It then identifies the priority themes that have emerged so that they can be voted on.
• Working Group members look at project applications and use their local knowledge of the whole neighbourhood area to decide which projects go through to the final round of voting.
• Looking at feedback from the assemblies, it also advises on how local services can be improved.
• It monitors the winning projects to check they are developing as promised.
• It demonstrates a model in which local residents, councillors, council officers and local stakeholders all work together to improve the quality of life in the Community Neighbourhood area.
• It is an example of local people taking ownership and responsibility for their Community Neighbourhood.
• It also gives feedback on how the Community Assemblies are being run to make sure they can continuously improve and that as many as possible can participate.

Who can be a member of a Working Group?

• Any people who reside, work or study in the Community Neighbourhood and are 16 years old or above, once they have filled in an application form and who are selected according to the Working Group criteria.
• Existing Working Group members
• Community Neighbourhoods’ Managers.
• Local councillors.
• Community Neighbourhoods’ team and Council officers.
• Corporate Directors responsible for the Community Neighbourhood.
• Local Stakeholders by invitation. These will be people who work in the community in different services or agencies or in the council. They can provide useful information regarding the chosen priorities of the assembly. 
• Elected Cabinet members.
• Any extra experts or advisers that the Working Group agrees upon.

What is expected of the Working Group and its members?

• High standards of integrity and confidentiality are expected of working group members.
• The Working Group is accountable to the Community Assembly, as it has to follow the priorities and direction given by the Assembly and support the allocation of the money available to the Community Neighbourhood.
• The Working Group lasts for a whole cycle (April 6th 2021 – March 31st 2022) of Community Neighbourhood planning from the first Community Assembly to the signing off of the projects and into the monitoring of their implementation.
• All of its meetings should be recorded in an open and transparent manner to assist in the write-up of minutes, recordings will not be archived. 
• Minutes will be uploaded to the Newham Council website (at the end of the cycle in March 2022) for everyone to see or download as they wish. 
• It is likely there will be a minimum commitment of 30 hours to attend Working Group meetings throughout the duration of the cycle.
• Regular attendance is expected. Meetings take place on Zoom (and locally in the neighbourhood, when the Covid restrictions are over)
• At the end of this cycle (March 2022), new members can replace any that drop out.
• Extra meeting(s) may be scheduled if the Working Group decides it is necessary.
• The maximum length of Working Group meetings is 2 hours

What will the Working Group Members receive?

• All the necessary information so that they are able to make informed decisions on priorities and projects and how the budget is spent.
• Support and facilitation from the Community Neighbourhood managers.
• Administration duties will also be done by Community Neighbourhood managers.
• Members will receive training by ex-working group members and Council officers to enable them to read through and score project application forms, as well as use the online digital platform.
• Opportunities to volunteer elsewhere in the neighbourhood.
• Reward and recognition, including remuneration for time and effort.

How can I become a member of a Working Group?

1. Read through the selection criteria below.
2. If you feel you meet the criteria please fill in an application form.
3. Existing Working Group members and Community Neighbourhood managers will assess your application and let you know the outcome by 7th May 2021.

Working Group Selection Criteria

Essential skills:

• Knowledge of the local neighbourhood. 
• Being interested in the general good of the community (rather than personal interests).
• Be able to access the internet.
• A willingness to work with others and consider different points of view.
• Ability to sort through responses, and critically asses applications. 
• Being comfortable using a computer, the internet and digital platforms. 
• Being committed. 
• Being impartial and objective. 
• Being open, inclusive and transparent. 
• Being punctual and able to manage time well.
• Being sensitive and responsible with personal information. 

Desirable skills:

• Administrative skills. 
• Have an eye for detail. 
• Have good communication skills.
• Be willing to present.
• Being well organised. 

Responsibilities:

• Be committed to attend and contribute to Working Group meetings and Community Assemblies for the whole cycle beginning April 2021 and ending March 2022.
• Work in collaboration with local residents, councillors, council officers and local stakeholders.
• Analyse and sift through the responses submitted on the Digital Platform to identify common themes.
• Assess community project applications using a scoring matrix (support will be given for this.).
• Raise awareness of the Community Assemblies and the role and the function of the Working Group with friends and neighbours.
• Offer advice and information to residents about the Community Assemblies and on how to apply for projects.