Issue - meetings

To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public.

The Chair invited the following public participants to provide a verbal overview to support their grant applications:

·       Suzy Brandes – Cambridge Russian School

·       Vicki O’Brien and Lucy Xia – Roman Way Supporters

Audio recording – 17 minutes 47 seconds

The Chair invited Ms Suzy Brandes from the Cambridge Russian School to provide a presentation in support of their grant application. Ms Brandes thanked the Chair and advised that:

·       County Councillors Fiona Hill and Steve Jarvis had assisted with the application and had provided funding from their Locality Budgets.

·       The School had received funding from Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire Councils to provide support for Ukrainian children who could not attend other schools.

·       The scheme was initially run free-of-charge, but this was not sustainable long term.

·       A couple of families from the Royston area had recently joined and therefore this application for funding was submitted.

·       In summertime meet ups were possible in Royston, or the surrounding areas, however opportunities were limited in the winter months.

·       The Old School House had been identified and agreed at cost price for hires, but funding was required to cover the cost of this.

·       The application amount was to match the funding for courses provided from other Councils, as well as to run social meet ups for attendees.

Ms Brandes advised that Ms Alina Bila had attended the meeting alongside her as she and her family attended the classes. Ms Bila spoke in Ukrainian, and a translation was provided by Ms Brandes, and it was advised that:

·       The classes were important to help children to adapt.

·       At home in Ukraine children had families and friends they could interact with, but these options were limited in the UK and the opportunity to play with likeminded children, with a similar experience, helped make children feel more comfortable.

·       For adults the meet ups were important so they can share their experiences of living in the UK, including working and learning the language.

The following Members asked questions:

·       Councillor Tony Hunter

·       Councillor Ruth Brown

In response to questions, Ms Brandes advised that:

·       There were around four or five families from Royston area using the scheme. They could not always attend every session but it as important the venue was in place so that people had the option.

·       There was a similar group running, but these meet ups were in the daytime, which were often difficult to attend for those people who were working.

·       English language support was provided at the evening sessions.

·       The application was to cover the cost of these evening sessions, as well as the attendance of one family at classes at the School.

·       The Old School House was a suitable venue and the staff had been extremely supportive.

The Chair invited Miss Vicki O’Brien and Ms Lucy Xia from Roman Way Supporters to provide a presentation in support of their grant application.

Councillor Jean Green noted that she was a governor at the school and therefore would not take part in the debate or vote on this item but would remain in the room.

Miss O’Brien and Ms Xia thanked the Chair and advised that:

·       They represented the PTA of the school, which had around 20 active members, and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71