Issue - meetings

To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public.

RESOLVED: That the Committee allocated £1,500 to Headway Hertfordshire towards peer support group sessions as outlined in paragraphs 8.1.1-8.1.4 of this report.

Audio recording – 20 minutes 25 seconds

The Community and Partnerships Team Leader provided an update on the outstanding grant funds, including that:

·         The 2022/23 base budget was £5,000 with £2,565 carried over from 2021/22. This made £7,565 available.

·         To date, the Committee had allocated £2,000 in grants.

·         The grant applications for the meeting totalled £750, which if approved would leave £4,815 to be carried over to 2023/24.

The Chair invited John Archer from Headway Hertfordshire to present. Mr Archer thanked the Chair, gave a verbal presentation and advised:

·         Headway Hertfordshire looked after those affected by a brain injury across the county.

·         The organisation supported survivors, carers, friends and families.

·         There were between 60-70 individuals in the Baldock area that the organisation had helped. There were 40 active users of their services.

·         The grant application would fund occupational therapy visits and peer support groups.

The following Members asked questions:

·         Councillor Steve Jarvis

·         Councillor Michael Muir

·         Councillor Alistair Willoughby

·         Councillor Juan Cowell

In response to the questions, Mr Archer advised:

·         There were 9 support groups across Hertfordshire. The organisation treated people locally.

·         Home visits and peer support groups would be funded by the grant.

·         There were different levels of support offered depending on the individuals need.

·         The total amount needed for the project was £2,600. The rest of the money needed come from the community and the Cooperative Community Fund.

A discussion was held amongst Members regarding the remaining budgets of the Committee and following this Councillor Michael Muir proposed the amount be increased to £1,500. This was seconded by Councillor Alistair Willoughby and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That the Committee allocated £1,500 to Headway Hertfordshire towards peer support group sessions as outlined in paragraphs 8.1.1-8.1.4 of this report.