Agenda item

Approval of the East LAC Community Plan 2022-23

a) Presentation by Huda Ahmed, East Local Area Committee Manager 

 

b) Discussion and approval of the plan

 

c) Breakout Groups on implementation of the approved plan

 

d) Summary feedback from the Breakout Groups

 

Decision:

6.1

The Terms of Reference for Local Area Committees (LACs) provide that each LAC must agree a Community Plan setting priorities for the area of the committee, monitor delivery of that plan and keep it under review, and that the decisions it makes in relation to funding must fit with the priorities set out in the Community Plan and following engagement with the community.

 

Through public consultation, the East LAC has developed a draft Community Plan that seeks to identify the key issues within the area, and develop a series of priorities that will inform the direction of the LAC, and direct the spending of delegated budgets, where the LAC has authority to do so.

 

This Report recommends the approval of the draft East Community Plan, attached as an Appendix to this report.

 

 

6.2

RESOLVED: That:-

 

(1)  Approval be given to the East Community Plan as a statement of the priorities of the area;

(2)  Authority be given to the Community Services Manager to produce a final version of the Community Plan document, incorporating any amendments approved by the LAC at this meeting, and to publish it on the webpages of the East Local Area Committee; and

(3)  Notes that future LAC decisions relating to funding must fit with the priorities set out in the Community Plan and following engagement with the community.

 

6.3

Reasons for Decision

 

The proposal to approve the East LAC Community Plan is recommended on the basis that the Plan provides a clear framework in how the LAC will direct it’s resources to address key issues identified through community consultation.

 

 

6.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

 

None. A key element in establishing LACs is the principle that each LAC

will develop a Community Plan.

 

 

6.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

 

 

None

 

6.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

 

 

None

 

6.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

 

Executive Director People Services

 

 

6.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

 

 

Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee

 

 

 

Minutes:

7.1

The East Area Manager, Huda Ahmed, gave a presentation on the East Local Area Community Plan 2022/23.

 

7.2

Local Area Committees were a way for people to get involved in making a difference to their community.

 

7.3

It was explained there was 12 Councillors who represented the East Local Area Committee. 3 Councillors from each of the 4 wards. The wards were:

  • Park & Arbourthorne
  • Darnall
  • Manor Castle
  • Richmond

 

7.4

The Community Plan was put together following consultation with residents, partners and communities. The following 6 priorities were identified.

  • Environment
  • Community Safety & Crime
  • Community & Neighbourhoods
  • Children & Young People
  • Transport & Highways
  • Health & Wellbeing

 

7.5

The presentation highlighted the action plans for the 6 key priorities. It was added that task and finish groups would be led by members working with LAC officers to drive the community plan and produce a more specific delivery plan.

 

7.6

It was stated that the East Local Area Committee had a budget of £100,000. There was also a £57,000 budget to reduce fly tipping and graffiti in the area.

 

7.7

The East Local Area Committee would continue to engage and consult with communities. They would also provide an annual report on the community plan highlighting what progress had been made on the 6 key priorities.

 

7.8

RESOLVED: That:-

 

(1)  Approval be given to the East Community Plan as a statement of the priorities of the area;

(2)  Authority be given to the Community Services Manager to produce a final version of the Community Plan document, incorporating any amendments approved by the LAC at this meeting, and to publish it on the webpages of the East Local Area Committee; and

(3)  Notes that future LAC decisions relating to funding must fit with the priorities set out in the Community Plan and following engagement with the community.

 

7.9

Reasons for Decision

 

 

The proposal to approve the East LAC Community Plan is recommended on the basis that the Plan provides a clear framework in how the LAC will direct it’s resources to address key issues identified through community consultation.

 

7.10

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

 

 

None. A key element in establishing LACs is the principle that each LAC will develop a Community Plan.

 

7.11

At the conclusion of the consideration and voting on the Community Plan, a series of breakout groups were organised which comprised members of the public in attendance, a Council officer and a Member of the Committee leading the discussion, to consider the key themes that had been highlighted in the Community Plan.  The Chair asked each Lead Member of the groups to report back on the discussions held. 

During the breakout session each table was asked to consider the following questions:

 

1.    How could you be involved in delivering some of the actions mentioned in the plan?

2.    How do you think we can involve people in the community – what methods do we use?

3.    How do we work collectively together with officers, members, and local people on delivering the actions?

4.    How do you think we can ensure these actions are long term, applied correctly to have a lasting impact?

5.    If you would like to get involved after today’s session or write any comments / feedback / suggestions, please do, and add your email address/contact details on the post it notes, so we can get in touch.

 

7.12

Table 1 - Feedback were as follows:

 

 

·       More outreach work with young people

·       Have information stalls at community events at school

·       More discussions about LACS at local schools

·       Share information regarding LACS with Arches Housing and other housing associations they will pass on to their residents

·       SCC website not very user friendly – We need to think about using TIKTOK, Insta and snapchat to reach wider audiences

·       Reps from Youth Parliament who were from the East want to be involved with the LACS

·       Communication is really important between SCC and local people

·       Not everyone still knows about the LACS and how useful they are for local people

·       Generally, people felt the LAC Public meetings are a good way to engage with people

 

7.13

Table 2 - Feedback were as follows:

 

 

  • It was stated that more power should be devolved to local people and communities.
  • Public engagement had been working although it still needed to be broadened.
  • Seldom heard groups needed to be targeted when engaging

 

7.14

Table 3 - Feedback were as follows:

 

 

  • Needed better disabled access to green spaces in the east
  • Needed better communication between Council officers and residents
  • There was an urge for face-to-face communication between officers and residents
  • Difficult accessing social prescribing?
  • Needed to use parks better
  • Residents were encouraged to request to use parks for different social events

 

7.15

Table 4 - Feedback were as follows:

 

 

  • Needed a venue to meet with residents in the local area
  • Should look to evolve schools and consult with all ages in the area
  • Look at building trust between the Council and residents
  • Maintain relationships between Council officers and residents
  • Consider other common languages used in the area when engaging

 

7.16

Table 5 - Feedback were as follows:

 

 

  • Needed to identify what groups were not in attendance at the meeting and target them at future consultation stages.
  • Look at what activities worked well previously and use those again. Could also transfer activities across the wards.
  • Discussed the strengths of using local networks that already exist. Also look to expand these networks.
  • Some residents felt their feedback on hotspots of fly tipping in the area were not included.

 

7.17

Table 6 - Feedback were as follows: -

 

 

  • Looked at how to facilitate joined up working.
  • Looked at different ways to engage with all residents in the area

 

7.18

Table 7 - Feedback were as follows:

 

 

  • Looked at how residents can get involved with voluntary groups
  • How local networks can be developed so groups can communicate to each other better
  • Prior to the pandemic there was groups in which the Police and Council officers attended. This should be looked at again

 

7.19

The Chair thanked everyone for their attendance at the meeting and hoped to see everyone again at a future LAC.

 

 

Supporting documents: