Big Local North Cleethorpes needed to work in partnership across the area to make things happen. And the residents themselves helped form their own partnership to deliver
Partnership working has been essential for delivering the long-term programme of Big Local. In fact, it’s written into the way Big Local is structured because the local committees that oversee and deliver the programme are called ‘partnership committees’. And each committee – including the North Cleethorpes one – is resident led, with over 51% of each committee being residents in the local area.
The very first step of setting up Big Local North Cleethorpes was to bring people together to form the partnership committee itself.
That structure was formalised with a constitution and various policies and guidelines, and is then overseen by Local Trust (through the connection to a Local Trust Rep) who ensure the partnership can be audited; monitored and is held accountable.
The partnership committee is then supported by the Locally Trusted Organisation (LTO), which in our case has been VANEL (Voluntary Action North East Lincolnshire) throughout the whole programme since 2012 to 2025. A good working partnership relationship between the Big Local committee and the LTO is essential to aid delivery, and this has indeed worked well in the North Cleethorpes area.
Local partnerships
To deliver Big Local it’s also been essential to form partnerships across the area and between organisations and individuals.
Partnerships have included working with local ward councillors; with the local Policing team; with each community sector organisation including schools, churches, community centres, older peoples support groups, social clubs and many more. Big Local has delivered events in partnership with venues or other organisations. The Hangout Youth Group began as a partnership between YMCA, Big Local and local venues and then developed from there.
Partnership with residents
The Big Local committee also has to work with the community. Input and feedback from residents is required to ensure Big Local delivers what is needed. Some residents attend meetings to contribute. Some residents volunteer and help with delivery of projects. Residents have been encouraged to participate with and communicate with Big Local North Cleethorpes throughout our journey.
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Big Local North Cleethorpes has been about partnerships throughout. Without partnerships much of the work would have been impossible. We’re grateful to everyone who has worked with us during our long journey.
