Issue - meetings

UPDATE FROM THE ASSISTANT COMMUNTIY ENGAGEMENT OFFICER

To advise the Members on the current expenditure and balances of the Committee Grant budgets.

To bring to the Members’ attention recent requests received for Committee grant funding, made by community groups and local organisations, including presentations from:

·         Paul Dee – Hitchin Allotments Association

·         Aletheia Mashiri and Emma Clarke - Getting Rooted C.I.C. for ‘Ron’s Plot’ Community Allotment Garden

·         Robert Bentley – Letchworth and Hitchin Sea Cadets

To advise of the activities and schemes with which the Community Engagement officers have been involved in.

To bring to the Members’ attention some important community-based activities that will take place during the next few months.

RESOLVED: That the Committee be recommended to endorse the actions taken by the Community Engagement team to promote greater community capacity and well-being for Hitchin.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

(1)  To ensure the Members are kept informed of the work of the Community Engagement Team.

(2)  This report is intended to inform Members of the financial resources available. It draws attention to the current budgetary situation by assisting in the effective financial management of budgets. This ensures that all actions are performed in line with the Authority’s Financial Regulations, the Council’s Constitution, and the guidance of the existing Grants policy as agreed by Cabinet in January 2020.

Audio Recording – 32 minutes 33 seconds and 142 minutes

Danny Pearson, Assistant Community Engagement Officer, presented the report entitled ‘Grants and Community Update’ and gave a verbal presentation, which included:

·         £3465 was carried forward from 2020/21, of which £2000 was allocated to the Peace Sculpture and the remaining £1465 was granted to support Hitchin Festival.

·         There was £11,000 available for 2021/22 and £720 had been used to make up the rest of the Hitchin Festival grant.

·         Grant requests at this meeting amounted to £2230.

·         A new staff member had joined the Community Engagement Team to assist with administrative tasks.

·         Work continued engaging with Community Groups.

·         Attempts to connect better with schools were still facing issues, with difficulties in identifying the best contact and remaining Covid restrictions on school visitors.

The following Member asked a question:

·         Councillor Paul Clark

In response to questions, the Assistant Community Engagement Officer advised:

·         There was a Remembrance Day service planned at St Mary’s Church, however there was no parade planned for this year.

Councillor Ian Albert, as Chair, proposed and Councillor Keith Hoskins seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That the Committee endorse the actions taken by the Community Engagement team to promote greater community capacity and well-being for Hitchin.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

(1)  To ensure the Members are kept informed of the work of the Community Engagement Team.

(2)  This report is intended to inform Members of the financial resources available. It draws attention to the current budgetary situation by assisting in the effective financial management of budgets. This ensures that all actions are performed in line with the Authority’s Financial Regulations, the Council’s Constitution, and the guidance of the existing Grants policy as agreed by Cabinet in January 2020.