Issue - meetings

This report provides an update on the delivery of Community Hubs and outlines proposals for their use in community recovery following the impact of Covid-19.

Resolved:  That the community action focused model set out in the report from paragraph 7 onwards, and the resource allocations set out in paragraph 21, be approved.

Reason:     To continue to move forward with the development and delivery of a network of Community Hubs.

The Executive Member considered a report which provided an update on Community Hubs (further to the report to the Decision Session on 22 November 2019) and outlined proposals for their use in community recovery following the impact of Covid-19.

Since the outbreak of Covid-19, the council had operated a network of Community Hubs to co-ordinate volunteer activity and the distribution of supplies. It was proposed that during the recovery phase the hubs, while continuing to provide support for those who needed it, would move towards a more long term community approach, including changing the Covid-19 helpline to a Post Covid-19 ‘Action line’ to mark the transition from an emergency response.  This would align with the preventative approach being taken by other council services and the voluntary sector and bring services together more effectively at community level.  Resources required to implement the changes and operate the hubs over the next two financial years amounted to £230k in total, of which £154k could be funded from the Emergency Assistance Grant and £76k from the Hardship Fund. 

The Executive Member welcomed the proposals and the area-based approach as a good response to current conditions, and

Resolved:  That the community action focused model set out in the report from paragraph 7 onwards, and the resource allocations set out in paragraph 21, be approved.

Reason:     To continue to move forward with the development and delivery of a network of Community Hubs.