Communities Summit 2017 Welcome
Mrs Pam Posnett MBE CC Lead Member, Communities
Celebrating Great Communities
Amy Laycock Neighbour Hub, Wigston
John Wasteney Market Bosworth Parish Council
Market Bosworth Small Community Big Heart
Back in the day 1985 Quincentenary of Battle of Bosworth Parish Council and Community College saw an opportunity to put a series of coordinated activities together throughout the summer
Back to the future 1985 Quincentenary of Battle of Bosworth left a legacy evident to this day Street Scene Bosworth in Bloom
Fast forward to 2012 Localism moved up the political agenda but conflicting imperatives evident opportunity to requirement to develop increase housing neighbourhood plan stock Community Developers
Out of the blue
Out came the sunshine
Out came the sunshine
Out came the sunshine
Out came the sunshine
Unintended consequence
Life as usual!
Never rains but it pours
Working out? CIC has 5 directors, 3 of these are parish councillors. CIC whilst not achieving reinstatement of a full time Post Office has secured an outreach service. We have met with community groups and applied for funding to set up website which will act as a ‘virtual community hub’ as well as an online visitor guide to ‘What’s on’ in Market Bosworth. Ideas in the pipeline ...........................
Fast Forward to 2017 Richard 111 memorial event Cooperative work with highways dept – Installation of new footpath Traffic flow and parking measures Take over ownership and management of public toilets from the Borough Council Application for funding a public realm scheme Working with H&BBC on Destination Management Plan and a Richard 111 legacy trail Memorial Gardens regeneration project Phase 2 extension of cemetery Embracing General Power of Competence Troubleshooting!
2017 we supported several volunteer led events Bosworth Society – Bosworth Links 25 archaeological test pits Bosworth Festival – festival of arts plus now film nights, talks and musical events Sports Clubs - Tennis, Rugby, Cricket, Soccer, Bowls etc Battlefield Line steam railway /rail ale festival Christmas Festivities Events Community Library Bosworth in Bloom – this year winners of East Midlands Large Village category ........................... PLUS a plethora of interest groups
Unintended consequence
Leicestershire Communities Strategy Kristy Ball Communities Team Leader
Refreshing the Communities Strategy • A more tailored approach to meet local need • Opportunities to be innovative in service delivery • Lessons Learned
Background • In March, the Councils Cabinet approved the refreshed draft Leicestershire Communities Strategy for engagement with stakeholders • The draft Strategy outlines how the Council proposes to work with Communities and Partners to build on the positive contributions communities make, and identifies four priorities
Priorities 1. Communities support themselves, individuals and families 2. Communities in collaboration with public services are supported to design and deliver better outcomes for the people of Leicestershire 3. The Voluntary and Community Sector in Leicestershire is an effective provider of services in a diverse market 4. The council continues to be outward focussed, and open to new ways of working
Our approach • An increase in Volunteering – continue to support existing volunteering programmes and identify ways to enable more people to volunteer. • A focus on Social Action – acknowledging that when people come together and act, they can improve their lives and solve the problems their communities face. • An Asset-Based Approach – Harnessing the skills, knowledge, connections, physical assets and potential a community has.
What we did • A series of conversations and events with Communities and Stakeholders took place over the summer of 2017 • An aim of the activities was to explore opportunities for greater involvement and collaboration in the delivery of the Strategy.
Who we asked Elderly (Older Persons Engagement Volunteers Network) Neighbourhood Planners Voluntary and Community Sector Parish Councils Carers Town Councils CYCLE – County Youth Council Young Carers Leicestershire Rural Partnership Families Members Individuals Youth Offending Service (YOS) Promotion through Social Media, Libraries, village fetes/shows and GP Surgeries.
What we asked 1. What makes a good community? 2. What can you do to help other people in your community? 3. How can the council help you to be happy in your community?
What was said Q1: There was a general feeling that ‘community spirit’ is the key to having a good community, where people look out for and support each other. Q2: A sense of neighbourliness, consideration and caring for each other is something we should all strive to do. Q3: Easier access to information, advice, guidance and support.
What was said – key themes The need for greater awareness and improved access to information, advice and guidance at a community level; To build on the success of Community Managed Libraries and the community spirit they have evoked; Make it easier for people to volunteer by promoting more local opportunities and simplifying the process to allow more people to volunteer; Celebrate success and share best practice; Co-ordinate activity internally and prioritise support and opportunities for community led services.
What have we changed? • There was a positive response on the tone, approach and overarching aims of the Strategy • There were some areas that respondents felt could be strengthened, which have been reflected in the Final Draft Strategy: • A more explicit reference to the role of Town and Parish Councils; • The inclusion of references to corporate social responsibility; • A reference to the Councils Strategic Plan.
Action Plan • The feedback, information, links and opportunities identified through the engagement period have been considered and have informed an Action Plan that underpins the implementation and delivery of the Communities Strategy. • The Communities Strategy Action Plan will be owned, managed and overseen by the Leicestershire County Council Communities Board.
What next? • The refreshed Communities Strategy 2017-21 Working Together to Build Great Communities is scheduled to be considered by Scrutiny on Wednesday 15 th November and the Council’s Cabinet on Tuesday 12 th December. • Establishment of a ‘communities network’ to check and challenge progress on the Communities Strategy.
Questions?
Discussion Groups • Community-led initiatives: Sparkenhoe (please stay here) • Harnessing the strengths and potential in your community: Framland • How can we help you to access information and support? Guthlaxton
Recommend
More recommend
