Agenda item

The report of the Head of Stronger Communities brings to members’ attention an update of the work which the Communities Team is engaged in, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee. It also provides opportunities for further questioning, or to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

This report also provides regular updates on some of the key activities between Community Committee meetings and functions delegated to Community Committees, Community Champions roles, community engagement, partnership and locality working.

(Report attached)

The report of the Head of Stronger Communities brings to members’ attention an update on the work which the Communities Team has been engaged in, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee. It also provided opportunities for further questioning, or to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

This report also provided updates on some of the key activities between Community Committee meetings and functions delegated to Community Committees, Community Champions roles, community engagement, partnership and locality working.

Cllr. Pat Latty, the Children and Families Champion expressed her disappoint that the Youth Summit would again not be going ahead due to the pandemic. It was noted that young people from across the outer North West area are still being contacted through schools to find out how they would wish to have the Youth Activity Fund budget spent within their area.

Cllr Barry Anderson, the Environment and Community Safety Champion informed the Committee that discussions had been taking place in relation to Ellergill.  Local ward members were seeking to resolve the issues.

It was noted that Members were disappointed with the refuse collection at present and that there had been issues with leaf clearance and street cleansing.  The Committee was informed that the Chief Officer for Environmental Services was trying to address ongoing issues and was in negotiation for a Service Level Agreement with the Community Committee which it was hoped would be in place later in the year.

Members expressed their disappointment with the current Community Safety Meetings as they were of the opinion that they were not working and that they had been unable to access them. It was noted that there was a proposed merger of the Stronger Communities Team and Community Safety Team.

Members were advised that a meeting of the Transport Sub Group was scheduled for 25^th March, at 3pm. All Members were invited to attend the meeting where a response for the Transport Strategy would be formulated and discussion on plans for recovery after the pandemic.

It was noted that at this current time there had been no meeting of the Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care Sub Group as the focus had been on the current issues of the pandemic. However, there are plans for meetings to start up again.

There was a detailed update in the report in relation to Employment and Skills.

Public Health had also submitted an update which included a number of links in relation to Covid 10 and the vaccine.

In relation to the update from Housing it was noted that the Officer from Housing had attended the meeting but had left due to other commitments prior to reaching this item. Members requested that the Housing Officer be invited to the next meeting. It was noted that the Housing Advisory Panels are currently not working, asked to address this with the Housing Officer.

Members also requested a working group in relation to renting, to include council renting, private renting and housing association renting.

Appended to the report was an update on the Community Committee social media pages.

RECOMMENDED - To note the content of the report.