North Yorkshire County Council
Richmond (Yorks) Area Constituency Committee
Minutes of the remote meeting held on Wednesday, 22nd March 2023 commencing at 10.00 am.
County Councillor Yvonne Peacock in the Chair. plus County Councillors Alyson Baker, Caroline Dickinson, Kevin Foster, Bryn Griffiths, Tom Jones, Carl Les, Heather Moorhouse, Karin Sedgwick, Angus Thompson, Steve Watson, David Webster, John Weighell OBE and Annabel Wilkinson.
Officers present: Lucy Moss-Blundell and Melanie Carr.
Apologies: Councillors Bridget Fortune, Malcolm Warne and Peter Wilkinson
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Copies of all documents considered are in the Minute Book
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Minutes of the Meeting held on 23 November 2022
Resolved –
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 November 2022, having been printed and circulated, be taken as read and confirmed by the Chairman as a correct record.
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Apologies & Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
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Public Questions or Statements
There were no public questions or statements.
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Stronger Communities Annual Report 2022-23
Considered – A report of the Head of Stronger Communities, providing the Committee with an update on the Stronger Communities Programme and an overview of the progress made in the Richmond Constituency area.
Lucy Moss-Blundell introduced the report, providing a detailed overview of the work of the Community Support Organisations and their shift in focus from pandemic response to recovery. It was noted they would continue until the end of March 2023 and that some elements of the model would be retained as part of the development of the new Community Anchor Organisations (CAOs).
She drew attention to the planned characteristics and activities of the new CAOs, as detailed in the report and Members noted the challenge of ensuring the financial sustainability of the new CAOs moving forward. It was confirmed that many were starting to generate the own diverse income streams.
In response to Members’ questions she confirmed the intention was to appoint only one CAO in each area, unlike the CSOs where some areas had a number of them. The intention was to have all the appointments made by the end of March 2023. She agreed with Members that the key would be transferring all of the local expertise, knowledge and goodwill of those currently working within the CSOs that were being disbanded.
In regard to the wider Stronger Communities Programme, Members passed on their thanks for the Team’s work throughout the pandemic including the FEAST Programme and other activities that had been offered over the last 12 months.
Members noted the key achievements highlighted by the Learning Review Evaluation 2018-2022 and recognised the work of volunteers. They agreed volunteers should not be overloaded and they were heavily relied on, and the Authority was fortunate to have so many across the county.
In regard to Youth Clubs, Lucy Moss-Blundell confirmed that the new CAOs would identify any unmet need and support it through the broader network, and grants were available to finance provision.
In regard to the proposed new Community Networks, Lucy Moss-Blundell confirmed they were still being developed and that a report on them was scheduled to go the Executive in May.
The Chair thanked the officer for her update, and it was
Resolved – That the update be noted.
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Appointment to Outside Body
Considered - A report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services) seeking a trustee appointment to the John Dakyn’s Education Charity
Resolved – That Mr Brian Kay be appointed as trustee to the John Dakyn’s Education Charity
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Verbal Update on Northallerton Infrastructure and Development project
As no officer was present to provide the verbal update, and given that the project had now been completed, it was
Resolved – That no further updates were required.
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Draft Work Programme 2023-24
Considered - A report presenting the committee’s draft work programme for the municipal year 2023-24.
Melanie Carr, Principal Democratic Services & Scrutiny Officer introduced the report and asked that Members review the committee’s draft work programme, taking into account the outcome of discussions on previous agenda items and any other developments taking place across the area.
It was noted that at the next meeting the Committee would receive a report detailing proposed ways of working for the next iteration of the Area Constituency Committees, which would help guide the Committee in considering and amending their work programme going forward.
In the meantime it was agreed that the Chair would work with the supporting officer to update the draft work programme ahead of the Committee’s next meeting, and it was
Resolved – That the draft work programme for 2023-24 be noted.
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The meeting concluded at 11.00 am.