Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE POLCY AND COMMUNITY MANAGER

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

To advise the Committee of the activities and schemes with which the Community Engagement officer has been involved in.

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

RESOLVED:

(1)  That Officers would explore possible options of how Town Talks and Area Committee meetings could improve to be more effective and accessible for public and Members, in line with the Council Constitution and Terms of Reference of the Committee.

(2)  That the Royston Surgeries be reduced to once every two months on the second Saturday of the month, starting from the Surgery scheduled on Saturday 10 September 2022.

(3)  That the Committee endorsed the actions taken by the Community Engagement Officer to promote greater community capacity and well-being for Royston.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1)  To ensure the Committee is kept informed of the work of the Community Engagement Officer.

(2)  The Community Engagement Officer is seeking advice from the Committee on the best way forward with regards to future provision of Town Talk and Councillor Surgeries.

(3)  This report is intended to inform Members of the financial resources available to the Committee. It draws attention to the current budgetary situation by assisting in the effective financial management of the Area Committee’s budget. 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.

(4)  The awarding of financial assistance to voluntary organisations and the use of discretionary spending allows the Committee to further the aims of the Council Plan.

Audio recording – 4 minutes 48 seconds

The Chair invited the Community Engagement Officer to provide Members with an update on the work they had been doing, including:

·         Detailed the grant funds available for the upcoming civic year.

·         There had been no grant applications at this meeting as the potential grant applicants were helped to find funds from elsewhere and some groups did not meet the Committee criteria.

·         The Royston Environment Group had been signposted onto Johnson Matthey, who were able to provide full funding for the event.

·         Section 106 funds had been identified to support Royston Town Youth Football Club purchase new goalposts and for resurfacing at the Royston BMX track.

·         Detailed future possible grant applications to be brought to the Committee.

·         The bus shelter had been installed on Melbourn Street.

·         Detailed the works talking place to explore the possibility of ramped access at Market Hill Car Park.

·         Supported the Barkway Village Market, which had around 4000 visitors.

·         1300 units of hand sanitiser had been distributed to groups and organisations in Royston.

·         He had supported other events in towns across the district.

The following Members asked questions:

·         Councillor Adam Compton

·         Councillor Ruth Brown

·         Councillor Tony Hunter

·         Councillor Carol Stanier

·         Councillor Chris Hinchliff

·         Herts County Councillor Fiona Hill

In response to a question from Councillor Adam Compton, the Community Engagement Officer advised that he had not explored parking levels in Royston, but this would be difficult given the free after 3pm parking scheme where tickets are not required. Councillor Ruth Brown noted that the BID were currently doing a footfall analysis in collaboration with partners and would collect evidence to specifically look at the efficacy of the free after 3pm scheme.

In response to a question from Councillor Ruth Brown, the Community Engagement Officer advised that the Scouts were looking at sites as possible new premises, but were finding it difficult to apply for grants because of the short term leases at possible venues.

Councillor Hunter proposed that the Committee place on record its thanks for the grants provided by local businesses, especially Johnson Matthey, who were supporting local good causes. Following a vote, this message of appreciation was approved by the Committee.

In response to a question from Councillor Chris Hinchliff, Councillor Ruth Brown advised that the bridge over the A505 on the eastern side of Royston had been chosen as one of the projects by the Cambridge Consultation and there was cross-party agreement for this. This scheme would see the installation of a path for non-vehicular use, but would require a lot of funding and local engagement in the process.

County Councillor Fiona Hill advised there was a Zoom meeting regarding this to be held on the 7 July 2022 and requested the Community Engagement Officer circulate this for Members.

Councillor Hunter advised that money to support these works had been raised from town, district and county councils, section 106 funds and private businesses.

The Chair led a discussion around the future of Town Talks in Royston. The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44