Agenda item - GRANTS & COMMUNITY UPDATE

REPORT OF THE POLICY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

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

RESOLVED:

(1) That the award of £1250 via Delegated Authority to North Herts Emotional Support in Schools Service (NESSIE) to assist with costs associated with providing the on-line and telephone counselling service be noted;

(2) That the actions taken by the Community Engagement Officer to promote greater community capacity and well-being for Royston be endorsed;

(3) That the refund in relation to the ‘Free After Three’ parking initiative in Royston, due to this initiative not being used during the Covid-19 pandemic, be returned to the Committee’s budget;

(4) That the Community Engagement Officer be requested to circulate the proposed refund figures for the ‘Free after Three’ refund by email to Committee Members, County Councillors and Royston First;

(5) That the Councillor Surgeries in Royston for the remainder of 2020 be held as virtual events on Zoom with the intention of reverting back to face-to-face surgeries in 2021.

(6) That it be noted that Member-led surgeries would continue to be held as virtual events on Zoom on the first Saturday of every month;

(7) That the Community Engagement Officer be requested to liaise with the relevant parties to invite those involved in Royston Youth Council to attend the virtual Youth Democracy event taking place in November 2020;

(8) That Members be requested to advise County Councillor Fiona Hill of any individuals who may wish to represent Royston on the North Herts Youth Council.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS: To ensure the Committee is kept informed of the work of the Community Engagement Officer.

Audio Recording – 5 minutes 43 seconds

The Community Engagement Officer presented the report entitled Grants and Community Update together with the following appendix:

· Appendix 1 – 2020/21 Financial Year Budget Sheet.

He advised Members that:

· The Committee had £4,700 remaining in its budget to allocate for the year;

· £1,250 had been awarded to NESSIE via delegated decision as funding was needed prior to the meeting;

· A refund of £375 had been proposed in respect of the “Free After Three” parking initiative due to the impact of Covid-19 and significant reduction of parking in Royston from March – June 2020;

· Due to Covid-19, Councillors Surgeries had not been able to take place every six weeks as planned, and would now take place virtually online;

· He continued to support the local coronavirus community support groups and the Royston Community Transport as a volunteer driver;

· There had been plans to hold a “Street Food Heroes” event at the Coombes Community Centre but due to issues with the street trading licence this had not been possible - it was hoped this event would return next year;

· The Royal British Legion project for a new centre had commenced and would now be carried out in one phase at a total project cost of £53,000 (£49,000 of which was being funded by the Council);

· A new bus shelter was being considered on Melbourn Street. The contractor had provided some costings to survey the land for two possible sites. The funding would be covered by Section 106 monies;

· Following a site visit by interested parties, a company was being sought to install new cycle racks;

· Youth Connexions were holding remote workshops with young people in Royston;

· Royston Town Council were looking to set up a Youth Council;

· Works had commenced on the outside classroom at Therfield First School;

· Royston Day Centre had made an application to the Covid-19 Support Fund for £2,000 for essential PPE. This had been considered at the Grant Panel meeting on 23 September and had been agreed.

The following Members asked questions and took part in debate:

· Councillor Tony Hunter

· Councillor Ruth Brown

· Councillor Gerald Morris

· Councillor Carol Stanier

County Councillor Fiona Hill informed the Committee about the North Herts Youth Council which was run by Youth Connexions and advised that they were looking for representatives from Royston. She advised meetings were held on a Monday and that she could provide more information if required.