Agenda and minutes

 (NB: In accordance with the Council’s Constitution the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of

this Committee must be a County Councillor).

RESOLVED that Councillors D Sellis and K Ball be elected Chair and Vice-Chair respectively for the ensuing year.

Items which in the opinion of the Chairman should be considered at the meeting as  matters of urgency.

There was no item raised as a matter of urgency.

To note the Committee’s Terms of Reference:

·         To receive briefings from and discuss with the relevant Locality Development Officer

(who will act as Lead Officer to the Committee) and with other officers as necessary

specific service and community issues and projects within the district and to make

recommendations to the Cabinet on appropriate action.

·         To improve information and communication with the public about its access to

County Council services in the area and to monitor its performance in the delivery of

these services.

·         To develop and ensure effective partnership working with the City, District or

Borough

·         Council (as the case may be) and other partners in the discharge of local functions.

·         To undertake any additional responsibilities and allocate budgets which may be

delegated by the Cabinet from time to time.

·         To consider, if required, any grant or award proposed by individual members from

locality budget funds allocated by the Cabinet in line with the Locality Budget Operating Principles (set out at in the Council’s Constitution Part 3).

·         To express a vision for the areas reflecting cohesion principles and community views, demonstrate understanding of the make-up of the community and champion the participation of under-represented groups and promote integration of different groups.

·         To administer those educational trusts in the Committee’s area for which the County Council is Trustee.

The Committee noted its Terms of Reference as detailed in the County Council’s Constitution available at: http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=416&MId=2487&Ver=4&info=1

Presentation by Chris Broadbent (SW Youth Games), papers attached

(Councillor Ball declared a personal interest in this item by virtue of a family member’s involvement with OCRA’s Leadership Development programme) 

The Committee received  a presentation from Mr S Lord from Okehampton Community Recreation Association (OCRA) on behalf of C Broadbent (SW Youth Games, Chief Executive). The Committee also viewed a video on the OCRA’s activities helping children, young people and adults be more active.

The Committee also noted the SW Youth Games presentation covering:

·         a history of the Games launched in 1999 as an Olympic-style county-wide competition;

·         establishment of a charitable Trust as a driving seat for this expanding annual event, raising financial donations and sponsorship;

·         developments and progress during 2015 –  2017 including Cornwall joining the games and the first satellite event;

·         ambitions for 2018 and future challenges; 

·         the adoption of a collaborative approach within local government and national governing bodies with a shared vision and purpose;

·         request for support in-line with the Council’s objectives;

·         the objective to promote inclusion and participation irrespective of ability or gender and to inspire young people; and

·         the challenging background relating to obesity, mental health/depression and general health and wellbeing and the transformative effects of regular physical fun exercise and sport. 

Further information was available at www.southwestyouthgames.co.uk

Members’ questions and comments to Mr Lord related to:

·         the good participation of West Devon teams in previous youth games and hosted over the last two years in Okehampton and the diverse sports involved encouraging wider participation at all levels and the positive experience for all the young people involved;  

·         the extent of youth participation in sports in the Borough associated  with local clubs;

·         Members’ support for the spirit and ethos of the Games;

·         a suggestion from a Member for the organisation to approach parish councils for support noting the extent of many parish councils in supporting local sporting activities in their communities;

·         the need for provision by developers of public open spaces as part of the planning process, where appropriate. 

The Chairman thanked Mr Lord for his presentation and suggested that he continued to liaise with the District and County Councils.

Draft Strategy attached  

The Committee received the draft Communities Strategy 2017 - 2020 which was being developed adopting four guiding principles that would influence the Council’s work:

·         Connection (connected, resilient and safe communities);

·         Control (people and communities that are empowered);

·         Equity (understanding and responding to our communities); and

·         Working differently (doing things differently, efficiently and effectively).

Seven action areas had been identified that would support the vision of “flourishing people and communities that are strong, kind, compassionate and safe”. These were: Volunteering; Community spaces; Communications and engagement; Role development; Data intelligence and evaluation; Commissioning; and Businesses and the economy.

The development of the Plan was currently underway in liaison with other local authorities and public bodies involving information sharing and joint arrangements where appropriate. When the Strategy was finalised an Action Plan would be formulated.

Members referred to the need for a simplified plain English version of the Plan and incorporating practical examples of initiatives and projects.  

An opportunity for Members to update the Committee on community initiatives and responses to service changes in their own division.

Members reported on their locality budget expenditure and support for local volunteers and charities and  the excellent support of the Members’ Services Officer in this regard.

Councillor Leech referred to the weed clearance issues in his ward and need for local action where appropriate.

9 March 2018, 16 July 2018,  23 October 2018 and 22 March 2019

Please use link below for County Council Calendar of Meetings:

http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgCalendarMonthView.aspx?GL=1&bcr=111

9 March 2018, 16 July 2018,  23 October 2018 and 22 March 2019

Link below for County Council Calendar of Meetings:

http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgCalendarMonthView.aspx?GL=1&bcr=111

The Council/Cabinet Forward Plan and the Scrutiny Work Programme are available for inspection by using the links below, in the event that the Committee may wish to provide

evidence to specific Task Groups or otherwise comment upon specific areas of activity to

the appropriate Scrutiny Committee or the Cabinet.

http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgPlansHome.aspx?bcr=1

The Council/Cabinet Forward Plan and the Scrutiny Work Programme was available for inspection by using the link below.

http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgPlansHome.aspx?bcr=1