To receive a presentation from Community and Partnerships Manager, Emma Lamb, on the latest position with the Supporting Communities Strategy and Action Plan.
Minutes:
The Committee welcomed Emma Lamb, Community and Partnerships Manager, who was in attendance to provide an update on the Council’s Supporting Communities Strategy and Action Plan.
It was noted that the Strategy and Action Plan was partner led, and helped to tackle inequalities and deprivation across the Borough. The Committee noted the four priorities, Economic Hardship, Young People, Physical and Mental Health and Connecting Communities. It was advised that a refresh of the strategy would be undertaken in January 2023 to take account of the impacts of the cost of living crisis.
The Committee reviewed some of the funding streams, the majority of which were from external sources. It was noted that support from the Council’s earmarked reserve had totalled £71,000 to date. It was advised that the aim had been for projects identified, to be data led and community driven and financially independent from the Council.
The geographical location of the various different schemes within the Supporting Communities Strategy were shared with the Committee. In relation to support concerning cost of living, it was noted that schemes changed frequently and particular attention had been given to ensure information had been kept up to date.
An overview of some of the schemes had been provided, these included;
· Community Grub Hub – a wrap-around service which offered, not only a food bank facility, but also support in a range of areas including mental health provisions and energy and business support. The Grub Hub had been in operation for almost a year and had gained full independence, with support from Rushmoor Voluntary Services (RVS), in October 2022. Some key challenges for 2023 had been identified, these included stock levels of certain items, cost of living impacts, opening hours to target working households and development of a fundraising strategy to ensure financial stability going forward.
· PEBL (Prospect Estate Big Local) – a free health and happiness drop in had been ran through the PEBL scheme. It was noted that 150 health checks had been completed with the Farnborough Primary Care Network (PCN), balance, glide and ride classes had been undertaken with Year R and one children and physical activities and wellbeing walks had been held. Men’s health sessions and a Men’s Shed had also been established.
· Repair Café – this externally funded facility would be opening on 17th December, 2022 at the West End Centre, Aldershot. The independent organisation had been enabled by the Council with the support of RVS.
· Youth Engagement and Aspirations – The Committee noted that a Forum had been created to engage with young people, a number of students had visited Gulfstream for an aspirational visit, support had been provided at career events at the local secondary schools and a Climate Change competition had been held which had engaged with over 60 students and local company Fluor.
The Committee noted the work on support to residents through the cost of living crisis and the challenges it presented. Help and support information had been collated on one page on the Council’s website and other methods of sharing information were being considered, such as through the Arena magazine and A-Z cards. Partnership work continued with the doctors surgeries, police and other agencies to ensure people in need could be signposted to relevant help. A link to the web page could be found here.
The Committee review what had worked well and the challenges ahead, it was noted that the partnership working had been key to the success of the strategy to date, and the Council would continue to work with its partners to enable projects and access to funding. Challenges included, digital inclusion, funding reductions and health inequalities.
Moving forward, it was noted that a refresh of the strategy would be undertaken to review priorities and data and target the approach accordingly. Work with health partners would increase to help tackle inequalities and an increase in reliance on external funding would be necessary.
The Committee discussed the presentation and expressed concern over the numbers of people requiring support in the Borough. A request was made to provide information, by ward, of the support available and to ensure that Members were kept up to date on what support was available Borough wide.
The Chairman thanked Ms Lamb for her presentation.