Issue - meetings

UPDATE FROM THE ASSISTANT COMMUNITY 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.

·         To advise of the activies 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 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)  To inform Members of the financial resources available by drawing attention to the current budgetary situation and ensure 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.

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

·         Confirmed that no grant applications had been brought to this Committee meeting.

·         Updated Members the outstanding grant funds available.

·         Advised on possible grant applications for future meetings.

·         Had been communicating with networking and community groups in the town (e.g. food provision and youth networks).

·         Had spoken with a resident who wanted to run a South East Asian heritage event, in line with Black History and Pride month events.

·         Westmill Networking Group had reported that a lot of anti-social behaviour issues had occurred in the area.

·         Community Surgeries were taking place, with “Welcome Back, Shop Locally” being a key focus.

·         The hybrid Town Talk made a positive start prior to the Committee meeting and the Assistant Community Engagement Officer, alongside the Chair of the Committee, would look to build upon this idea and make future Town Talks more accessible.

·         Chair’s Volunteer Award was now live and information was available on North Herts website.

·         Confirmed that a Holocaust Memorial Day had been planned for January and would take place in Council Chamber at District Council Offices.

·         Gave Members written updates from North Herts African Caribbean Group, the Community Kitchen and Peace Garden Sculpture organisers regarding their recent grant funds from the Committee.

Following the presentation, Councillor Ian Albert, as Chair, proposed and Councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg 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)  To inform Members of the financial resources available by drawing attention to the current budgetary situation and ensure 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.