Policy and Project Advisory Board - Wednesday, 15th July, 2020 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes
PDF 152 KBVenue: Remote meeting - link to view the meeting will appear below
Contact: Administrator, Kathy Flatt Tel. (01252) 398829, Email. kathy.flatt@rushmoor.gov.uk
Link: Click here for the livestream
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To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 10th June 2020 (copy attached). Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 10th June 2020 were approved and signed by the Chairman. |
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To consider a report (copy attached), which sets out the background and
context to the Civic Quarter Placemaking Members’ workshop, the results of the
exercise completed by members, next steps and officer recommendations. Additional documents: Minutes: The Board considered the Regeneration Team’s Report which set out the background and context to the Civic Quarter Placemaking Workshop, the results of the exercise completed by Members, proposed next steps and officer recommendations. The Report also set out details of four learning seminars for all Members to assist in the Council’s policy position in relation to sustainable regeneration: · Sustainable design options and changing sustainability requirements · Housing led developments and reinventing the town · Sustainable transport · The Green Agenda The Board received a presentation from Mr Nick Irvine (Regeneration Delivery Manager) and Ms Michelle McNally (Regeneration Programme Manager) on the outcomes of the virtual Civic Quarter Placemaking Workshop held in May 2020. The workshop had sought to capture Members’ views and to prioritise key emerging principles for the next stage of the Civic Quarter masterplanning process. The results of the workshop had been broken down into two distinct areas – the Green Agenda prioritisation and emerging priorities. The ‘Green Agenda’ had been rated a gold priority by Members and would be considered as one of the two gold principles that the Rushmoor Development Partnership/LDA Design would need to prioritise in the Civic Quarter scheme development. The other significant outcome of the exercise had been the identification of sixteen priorities that would be used to articulate Members’ aspirations for the Civic Quarter site going forward into RIBA Stage 2 of the masterplanning process. The sixteen priorities had been formulated through a number of questions which asked Members to rank, in terms of importance, different aspects that could assist in realising the eight key principles determined through the GT3 (architects commissioned by Rushmoor Development Partnership (RDP)) and LDA Design (appointed by RDP to progress the masterplan for the redevelopment of the Civic Quarter) work which had been undertaken previously, subsequently increased to nine to include the Green Agenda, following the declaration of a ‘Climate Emergency’ on 20th June 2019. These were: · Create community heart · Green Agenda · Develop strong identity and raise profile · Encourage community cohesion · Improve health and wellbeing · Connect the town · Increase participation in facilities · Increase visitor numbers, footfall and spend · Develop arts and culture facilities/heritage Arising out of the analysis of data obtained through the workshop, officers had taken the top 3 (Gold category), 2 (Silver category) and 1 (Bronze category) from each principle. The Board was invited to consider the priorities arising out of the consultation with Members to be submitted to the Cabinet for approval, with the intention that the agreed Cabinet document would be presented to the RDP to inform the early stages of the RIBA Stage 2 work. The priorities identified for consideration were: Gold Category: ·
Create Community Heart Places for community events/gathering Places for rest/relaxation Landscape – informal green approach (soft landscaping) ·
Green Agenda New development to incorporate renewable energy Introduce measures to support sustainable travel Maximise energy efficiency of buildings Silver Category: ·
Develop strong Identity and raise profile Build on the town’s aviation and other heritage (eg through public realm/public art) Introduction of landmark ... view the full minutes text for item 9. |
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End Violence at Work Charter To receive an update on the number of organisations signed up to the End Violence at Work Charter. Minutes: Mr. Andrew Colver, Head of Democracy and Community, gave the background to the End Violence at Work Charter and the action taken following consideration of the issue by the Board in July 2019. Members noted that the Charter had been raised with the voluntary sector and community organisations to which the Council provided major support. A number of organisations had indicated their support for the Charter, including Citizens’ Advice and Rushmoor Voluntary Services. In order to find out the organisations signed up to the Charter, contact would be made again with all the organisations written to by Councillor Adrian Newell, the Democracy, Strategy and Partnerships Portfolio Holder.
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Black Lives Matter To consider the approach to the Motion on this matter from the Council meeting on 25th June 2020: “Rushmoor Borough Council place on record our deep sadness and revulsion at the senseless killing of George Floyd in Minnesota, USA. Whilst we recognise that every life matters, we echo the cries for justice and the assertion that ‘Black Lives Matter’ given the unique historic and contemporary challenges faced by black communities. We stand together unreservedly with black members of our
communities to work hard for current and future generations, in particular
those citizens within our borough, to eradicate racism in all its forms and to
proactively educate our citizens so that our towns are inclusive and
anti-racist, not just in name and policies but in action. This starts with an
all-party review led by the Policy and Project Advisory Board, including Black,
Asian and Minority Ethnic members of our community, of processes, policies and
organisational attitudes regarding racism.” Minutes: The Board was reminded that a Motion had been passed at the Full Council meeting on 25th June on the subject of Black Lives Matter, as follows: “Rushmoor Borough Council place on record our deep sadness and revulsion at the senseless killing of George Floyd in Minnesota, USA. Whilst we recognise that every life matters we echo the cries for justice and the assertion that ‘Black Lives Matter’ given the unique historic and contemporary challenges faced by black communities. We stand together unreservedly with black members of our communities to work hard for current and future generations, in particular those citizens within our borough, to eradicate racism in all its forms and to proactively educate our citizens so that our towns are inclusive and anti-racist, not just in name and policies but in action. This starts with an all-party review led by the Policy and Project Advisory Board, including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic members of our community, of processes, policies and organisational attitudes regarding racism.” The Board was advised that the Chairman had held an initial discussion with the Leader of the Council, the Leader of the Labour Group and officers, where it had been proposed that a separate meeting of the Board would be held late in August to discuss the scope for this work over the following year. The Chairman explained that, ahead of the August meeting, officers had been asked to prepare a paper on the potential scope and options, including Member and community involvement. The Board noted that suggested priorities for the work were: . ·
reviewing RBC
policies and processes - including the People Strategy, equality objectives and
workforce profile; and ·
supporting the
development of Council strategies – including the Deprivation Strategy, Safer Neighbourhoods
Community Safety Partnership Plan It was noted that any other ideas
for consideration would need to meet one of two criteria. These were that it would have to: ·
involve the review of
a relevant Council policy or process; and ·
align with activities
in the Council's Business Plan 2020-2023 During discussion, comments made
included: the need to consult with faith and community groups and to build on
the excellent work carried out by these groups over the previous 10-15 years;
the need to include BAME councillors, employees and residents in discussions;
equality and diversity training for councillors and employees; and, the need to
gather as much information and data as possible.
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COVID-19 RESPONSE To receive a presentation from Andrew Colver, Head of Democracy and Community, on the welfare and community response work to the coronavirus pandemic, the issues that have been raised and how the recovery work will be integrated with the preparation of strategy and action plan to address deprivation and supporting communities. Minutes: The Board received a presentation from Mr Andrew Colver, Head of Democracy and Community, on the local response to, and impacts of, Covid-19. It was noted that the coronavirus pandemic had had a huge impact on local services. The Council had moved rapidly to response mode at the start and was now in a recovery phase. A key area of work had been the community and welfare response, involving a massive local operation which had evolved and changed over the months since lockdown in March 2020, involving working in partnership with community organisations. This work had also provided useful and significant data which would help to improve understanding of the Borough’s communities. The work with partners would also help to develop a robust deprivation/supporting communities strategy and action plan. An important part of the response to Covid-19 was the Local Response Centre, under a framework led by Hampshire County Council in partnership with the districts and other agencies. Locally there had been a co-ordinated approach between Rushmoor Voluntary Services and the Council. A County level central helpline had been established and, as a district, Rushmoor also had a helpline resourced by the Council which complemented the Hampshire helpline. The Local Response Centre in Rushmoor provided support to the homeless/rough sleepers and those with specific health concerns. The Local Resource Centre also had a food supply and distribution centre based at Princes Hall which worked with local support groups. A network of volunteers, co-ordinated through Rushmoor Voluntary Services and the Council, had supported the work of the Local Response Centre and a number of these volunteers had indicated that they wished to continue volunteering in the future. The presentation gave data in respect of the outcomes of the helpline work, including a breakdown of the number of cases by Ward. A number of helpline cases had involved a range of wider issues, such as underlying health problems and social isolation which had necessitated the development of and access to other services. Some welfare visits had also been made to those identified as vulnerable. The helpline had referred approximately 6% of calls to a befriending service and three calls received had had a bereavement association. It was noted that around 7% of referrals had either previous or underlying mental health issues that had surfaced and required signposting or further referral. The Board was advised of the work of other key service providers as part of the local response, including local response groups in Aldershot, Farnborough and North Camp which co-ordinated on the ground volunteer operations, The Vine, VIVID, Citizens’ Advice and the Supporting Families service. Rushmoor Voluntary Services had played a central role throughout Covid-19 by providing Operation Rushmoor Community Action (ORCA), which had been developed, delivered and resourced with the Council and was now transitioning to a business as usual service. The services that had emerged through the pandemic included: · Befriending service and companion support · Re-ablement · Looking to be a Borough-wide food partnership · Re-provision of core services (i.e. Home ... view the full minutes text for item 12. |
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To discuss the Policy and Project Advisory Board Work Programme (copy attached). Minutes: The Board noted the current work programme. |