This report is a draft report for Members to make comments.
The Chair used his discretion and allowed this item to be heard in public.
Minutes:
48.1 The Assistant Director – Communities and Planning had discussed the report with Councillors Maybury and Flatman – Cabinet Members for Communities and agreed that this report was not restricted and could be heard in the public session.
48.2 The Assistant Director introduced the report and said that draft report was at an early stage.
48.3 The Community Strategy was a key priority for both Councils and was going to be in place by the end of the year. There had not previously been a strategy in place. He outlined the framework for the strategy and said that discussion in the communities with various stakeholders including Councillors and officers and would form the basis of strategy.
48.4 Councillor Welham asked who was expected to use the strategy and would there be an action plan following the strategy. The Assistant Director responded that the strategy would predominately inform officers but also statutory and voluntary partners in terms of what they could expect from the Councils and grant applicants would find the strategy useful. An action plan would be produced for the strategy.
48.5 Further questions included if there was to be a role for parish and district councillors and if they were to partake in the discussion for the strategy.
48.6 Councillors were also concerned if it would be possible to include hard to reach residents. The officers hope to engage with a cross section of communities and were happy to involve parish and district councillors further.
48.7 Councillor Welham suggested that the Chief Executive of SALC would be able to provide names of people who could assist in the development of the Community Strategy.
48.8 Members discussed the timing of meetings and if it was possible to involve residents other than those who were actively involved with the Community. This would achieve a varied cross section of the community.
48.9 Members were concerned about the hard to reach residents and was assured that a strategy for loneliness would be included.
48.10 Some Members were concerned that the Community Strategy was trying to include too much but was reassured that it was a collaborative approach with an aim for a partnership between Councillor and Officers.
48.11 Suggestions were made of how this could be achieved by looking at successful parishes and their processes. This could be a way to help other parishes to develop. District Councillor could provide assistance with this process.
48.12 The Assistant Director – Planning and Communities drew Members’ attention to the page 153, sixth paragraph and said this was where the Councils needed to focus their efforts and resources.
48.13 Councillor Gibson-Harries asked if it was possible to encourage communities to develop a programme to help elderly people.
48.14 Councillor Maybury – Babergh Cabinet Member – Communities asked that more should be done for the youth in the local communities
48.15 Recommendation 3.1 was proposed and seconded.
By a unanimous vote
It was RESOLVED: -
That the Committee endorse an engagement approach through use of focus groups involving (a) internal staff; (b) external statutory and voluntary sector partners; (c) members of the community represented by a cross-section of winners from the recent ‘Star ’awards; and (d) a cross-section of Councillors.
Supporting documents: