Agenda item

REPORT OF THE POLICY AND COMMUNITY MANAGER

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

To bring to the Committee’s attention details of recent requests received for Committee grant funding, made by community groups and local organisations, including:

·         Holwell Parish Council

·         River Hiz Conservation Group

To advise the Committee of the activities and schemes with which the Community

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

REASON FOR DECISION:

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

(2)  This report 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 the 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.

(3)  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 – 32:22

NB: Parts of this item was considered prior to Item 5 (Minute 4:30 refers)

Aimee Flack, Assistant Community Engagement Officer, presented the report entitled Grants & Community Update and gave a verbal presentation, which included:

• The Community Engagement team have explored the idea of creating a Parish forum – a chance for Parishes in the Southern Rural area to meet online to connect and share information, events and projects and explore any common issues that could be worked on collaboratively or raised in Full Council
• There was a potential that the Parish forum to be done quarterly with the first one being in autumn. Gather responses about whether it needs to be done more or less frequently and using the first meeting to discuss themes which Parishes want to talk about
• The Council has processed grants to utilise the Health Protection Board funding to assist the community’s recovery following the pandemic
• The Community Engagement team currently have one application and a couple pending, and are arranging a date for a panel meeting
• Aimee highlighted the network groups that coordinate with themes such as food provision, youth action and the reintroduction of green and growing network group which is an opportunity for those who use green spaces to support local communities with sustainability and healthy lifestyles
• Aimee brought attention to the North Herts Engage Facebook page where community groups can share events and information can be highlighted
• There was an update from Down the Woods who had 8 participants and really benefitted from the activities the group put on
• Since the report was published there was also an update from Pirton Joycare who hosted a Jubilee afternoon tea with 74 residents aged 60+ who celebrated and met new friends, and received really positive feedback

Councillor Claire Strong also gave an update on Pirton Players and their new lighting system which received positive feedback.

Councillor David Barnard gave an update on the Ickleford Larder which started at the beginning of the pandemic. Food that would normally be taken to landfill has been distributed to the community for free and has provided food for those who really need it. This has not only provided for Ickleford but also the surrounding areas in North Hertfordshire.

Councillor George Davies proposed, Councillor Faye Frost seconded and, following a vote, it was:

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

REASON FOR DECISION:

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

(2)  This report 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 the 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.

(3)  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.