Agenda item

Report of the Democratic Services Manager.

Members welcomed Councillor Lynda Pearson, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Place to the meeting to examine her portfolio. Councillor Pearson gave an update to members on some key happenings within her portfolio.

No questions were received from Members in advance of the meeting, so Councillor Pearson delivered an update on the various areas of responsibility within her portfolio. She gave the following updates:

It was noted that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund had given the council the opportunity to review the Council’s heritage strategy. The full strategy could be viewed on the council’s website which included plans to support visitor economy, review the Heritage Way walking and cycling route, celebrate 50 years of Gedling and mark that 200 years had passed since Byron’s death through event planning and community projects.

It was noted that many changes implemented since Covid-19 had affected the way in which the council had been supporting Community Events and Play. Much of the work had been co-produced with partners and improved community engagement whilst reflecting GBC priorities.

Members noted the upcoming events for 2024/25 which included a Voluntary and Community Sector Pride Event, the Arnold Summer Fair, Nottinghamshire Day, Remembrance Parade, Apprenticeship and jobs fair, the Bonnington Theatre Programme, Pop up Town Centre Events and more.

It was noted that the council had not yet adopted a community and voluntary service (CVS) programme, but tenders had been accepted and a decision would be made in due course. It was highlighted that a CVS programme would help commissioned Health & Wellbeing providers to deliver sustainable, neighbourhood-based services to individuals with recognised barriers to entry such as health/mental health issues, IT requirements and more.

Councillor Pearson delivered an update on the work undertaken and currently ongoing regarding rural affairs, communities and economic growth. This included an adopted outdoor play and pitch strategy, strength in communities programme, working with business advice surgeries, Hill Crest business park expansion in Calverton and more.

The Chair gave members the opportunity to ask questions.

Members asked what plans were in place to commemorate the 200 years since the passing of Lord Byron and how the Council planned to celebrate 50 years of Gedling.

Councillor Pearson agreed to distribute a copy of the full plan to Members.

Councillors asked whether the council planned to commemorate 80 years since the D-day landings in conjunction with the Royal British Legion (RBL).

Councillor Pearson confirmed that the council would liaise with the RBL to support them in commemorating the D-day landings where possible.

Members sought feedback on how well the CVS in Rushcliffe had been functioning in Gedling since spreading their remit across multiple areas.

Councillor Pearson agreed that a local CVS would have a better understanding on local needs and a framework was being implemented for a service similar to the CVS and tenders were ongoing.

Members queried whether feedback was available following community work with shopping centres across the borough.

Councillor Pearson confirmed that feedback had been received and would be included within a future report to Cabinet and a redacted version would also be made available to the public.

Members queried how feedback had been used to improve the council’s ability to communicate and highlight events to the public and also queried the timelines for when the events were published.

Councillor Pearson agreed to circulate additional information to members on the timelines when publishing events and explained that the Council does seek feedback to improve the methods of communicating events where possible but highlighted that responses to surveys were low.

RESOLVED:

The Chair thanked Councillor Pearson for the information provided.