Issue - meetings

This report sets out a new approach to community engagement through working with local neighbourhoods and the establishment of revised ward committees.

Resolved:  (i)      That the Executive agree to:

·     The new approach to community engagement including revised ward committees

·     The allocation of increased funding to these ward committees

·     The production of ward fact sheets in order to support ward councillors and explain the process to residents

·     The production of a range of local service choices giving options for how the ward committee funding pot can support local communities

(ii)          That the Ward Committees remain informally constituted relying on the delegated authority of the relevant chief officer to implement the wishes of the committee (subject to Council policy and procedures).

(iii)        That the Executive approve the virement of £150k from the Health & Wellbeing Directorate to Communities and Neighbourhoods Directorate representing the transfer of that element of the Adult Social Care Community Fund to Ward Committees.

(iv)        That the suggested ward spending approach be kept under review and considered by the Communities & Environment Policy &Scrutiny Committee and the Audit & Governance Committee prior to a report back to the Executive in January 2016.

Reason: (i ii & iii) To support the Council’s commitment to working  with local communities and devolving power and budgets to residents.

                (iii)         In accordance with Financial Regulations

Consideration was given to a report which set out a new approach to community engagement through working with local neighbourhoods and the establishment of revised ward committees.  It was reported that the Council’s new approach to neighbourhood working aimed to support ward members and proposed the reinstatement of ward committees with increased funding to strengthen resident engagement.

Officers reported the comments of the Communities and Environment Policy & Scrutiny Committee from their meeting on 27 July. It was confirmed that they had generally been supportive of the new arrangements and recommended option b, for ward committees to remain informally constituted.

Members welcomed the comments of earlier speakers which would allow ward councillors to champion their communities priorities and suggested a review of the new procedure by the Audit & Governance Committee.

Some Members expressed concern that ward funding would now be allocated on a per capita basis rather than on a need basis and that the Community Care Fund for vulnerable residents would not be ring fenced. They also raised concerns at possible financial risks, pointing out that central procurement of services would make savings for many of the services suggested for devolving to wards.

Following further discussion it was

Resolved:  (i)      That the Executive agree to:

·     The new approach to community engagement including revised ward committees

·     The allocation of increased funding to these ward committees

·     The production of ward fact sheets in order to support ward councillors and explain the process to residents

·     The production of a range of local service choices giving options for how the ward committee funding pot can support local communities

(ii)          That the Ward Committees remain informally constituted relying on the delegated authority of the relevant chief officer to implement the wishes of the committee (subject to Council policy and procedures).

(iii)        That the Executive approve the virement of £150k from the Health & Wellbeing Directorate to Communities and Neighbourhoods Directorate representing the transfer of that element of the Adult Social Care Community Fund to Ward Committees.

(iv)        That the suggested ward spending approach be kept under review and considered by the Communities & Environment Policy & Scrutiny Committee and the Audit & Governance Committee prior to a report back to the Executive in January 2016. ^1.

Reason: (i ii & iii) To support the Council’s commitment to working  with local communities and devolving power and budgets to residents.

                (iv)         In accordance with Financial Regulations