The last Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) 2009 assessed how local public services and public bodies were working together to meet the needs of the people they serve. Overall the assessment of Manchester was very positive and good progress is being made by the Manchester Partnership.
The CAA report is available at http://oneplace.direct.gov.uk
Green flags and red flags are issued to signal how well public bodies are equipped to tackle issues both now and in the future
A green flag, which indicates exceptional performance or improvement that other public services could learn from, was awarded to the city for its work tackling gun crime and gang violence particularly with regard to preventing young people most at risk of getting involved with gangs.
It was also praised for the success in engaging with the community and the overall impact in protecting young people and the wider community. The CAA also recognised that Manchester remained a thriving city and was a crucial location for jobs and prosperity. With the city's business base increasing by nearly 5% in the last decade, it recognised Manchester had a strong city economy despite the recession.
The report said Manchester was leading the way through new initiatives such as Helping Hands and the Timebank scheme to help residents and businesses weather the economic downturn.
However the work that Manchester has been doing to reduce school absences has not had the required impact and Manchester has received a red flag, as a warning that improvements are needed. Initiatives have made some impact and there has been a steady reduction in absences over the last three years but more needs to be done to ensure that improvement is achieved city wide and not just in specific schools.
Manchester still has high levels of deprivation and tackling health related issues is a priority for partners. While residents' health is improving, it is from a low base and the council and health services are working closely to prevent ill health rather than treating the effects of it.
More Manchester residents are happy with their lives than last year and more people feel that they can influence decisions in their local area than elsewhere in Greater Manchester.
Previously run-down areas are being transformed, said the report, and it recognised signs of success, such as resident satisfaction and better housing, which is attributed to strong civic leadership.