Agenda and minutes

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

Members of the public may ask questions or make statements at this meeting if they have given notice and provided the text to Melanie Carr of Democratic Services (contact details below) no later than midday on Friday 17 March 2023. Each speaker should limit themselves to 3 minutes on any item.  Members of the public who have given notice will be invited to speak:

·           at this point in the meeting if their questions/statements relate to matters which are not otherwise on the Agenda (subject to an overall time limit of 30 minutes);

·           when the relevant Agenda item is being considered if they wish to speak on a matter which is on the Agenda for this meeting.

There were no public questions or statements.

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.

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

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.

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.